Boiling of nuclear liquid in core-collapse supernova explosions

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential for boiling instability of nuclear liquid within proto-neutron stars during core-collapse supernovae, suggesting it could influence explosion dynamics and remnant mass.

Contribution

It derives a criterion for nuclear liquid boiling in supernova cores and assesses its impact on supernova explosion mechanisms.

Findings

Boiling is likely under proto-neutron star conditions.

Boiling can enhance heat transfer and pressure.

Inclusion of boiling effects may increase explosion energy.

Abstract

We investigate the possibility of boiling instability of nuclear liquid in the inner core of the proto-neutron star formed in the core collapse of a type II supernova. We derive a simple criterion for boiling to occur. Using this criterion for one of best described equations of state of supernova matter, we find that boiling is quite possible under the conditions realized inside the proto-neutron star. We discuss consequences of this process such as the increase of heat transfer rate and pressure in the boiling region. We expect that taking this effect into account in the conventional neutrino-driven delayed-shock mechanism of type II supernova explosions can increase the explosion energy and reduce the mass of the neutron-star remnant.