[en] We consider the capture of a cold neutron (kinetic energy < 0, 1 MeV) by a crystal in the case that, at first, by the emission of a phonon, the neutron is absorbed by one of the lattice nuclei forming a compound nuclear resonance. Subsequently, the resonance decays by the emission of a photon. The energy of the compound nuclear resonance must be very close to the neutron threshold, i.e. within the range of phonon energies (<∼0.100 MeV), thus implying that the absorbing nuclei must be heavy actinides. We discuss the dependence of the capture process on the initial occupation pattern of phonons and, in particular, a mechanism of enhancing the absorption process. (author)