Channel coupling in neutron inelastic scattering by even--even nuclei with 48less than or equal toAless than or equal to64 at energies up to 9. 0 MeV

Cross sections for excitation of one-phonon and two-phonon levels of 48 less than or equal to A less than or equal to 64 nuclei by neutrons with energies from threshold up to 9.0 MeV are analyzed in the optical-statistical approach using the coupled-channel method with various numbers of channels taken into account. Analysis of the theoretical calculations and their comparison with experimental data show that the cross sections for direct excitation of the one-phonon levels of the nuclei studied depend on the number of channels taken into account as well as on the deformation parameter ..beta../sub 2//sub J/, and that in the energy region under investigation the levels of the two-phonon triplet are excited primarily through the compound nucleus since the cross sections for their direct excitation are very small