The width fluctuation correction enhances, sometimes by large factors, small compound cross sections that compete with channels having much larger transmission coefficients. The effect is demonstrated by the results of statistical computer experiments. A simple numerical quadrature of the width fluctuation integral describes the effect much more accurately than the formula proposed by Tepel .

NUCLEAR REACTIONS Average compound cross sections.

• Received 15 March 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.14.764