Expected impact from weak reactions with light nuclei in core-collapse supernova simulations

TL;DR

This paper investigates how light nuclear clusters influence core-collapse supernova simulations, focusing on reaction rates, medium effects, and their impact on supernova dynamics and neutrino signals during different phases.

Contribution

It develops reaction rate expressions for light clusters, incorporates medium modifications, and assesses their effects on supernova evolution and neutrino emissions.

Findings

Light clusters significantly affect neutrino interactions.

Medium modifications alter reaction rates and supernova dynamics.

Impact observed during both accretion and deleptonization phases.

Abstract

We study the role of light nuclear clusters in simulations of core-collapse supernovae. Expressions for the reaction rates are developed for a large selection of charged current absorption and scattering processes with light clusters. Medium modifications are taken into account at the mean-field level. We explore the possible impact on the supernova dynamics and the neutrino signal during the mass accretion phase prior to the possible explosion onset as well as during the subsequent protoneutron star deleptnoization after the explosion onset has been launched.