Ericson fluctuations and the distribution of randomS-matrix elements

Starting from a random matrix model for nuclear reactions, we show that the fluctuatingS-matrix elements in general have a non-gaussian distribution. The consequences of this for Ericson fluctuations are pointed out. In the absence of direct reactions symmetry properties of the distribution function lead to simple expressions for the cross section correlation functions. In particular a formula for calculating the cross section auto-correlation function is presented.