Neutrino-Induced Nucleosynthesis in Helium Shells of Early Core-Collapse Supernovae

TL;DR

This study explores how neutrino interactions in helium shells of early supernovae can produce heavy elements up to A~200 and light elements like Be-9, affecting our understanding of metal-poor star compositions.

Contribution

It identifies new primary mechanisms for neutrino-induced production of Be-9 and demonstrates the potential for synthesizing heavy nuclei up to A~200 in supernova helium shells.

Findings

Neutrino interactions can produce nuclei up to A~200 in early supernovae.

Two new mechanisms for Be-9 production in helium shells are identified.

Neutrino spectra and flavor oscillations significantly influence nucleosynthesis outcomes.

Abstract

We summarize our studies on neutrino-driven nucleosynthesis in He shells of early core-collapse supernovae with metallicities of $Z\lesssim 10^{-3}\,Z_\odot$. We find that for progenitors of $\sim 11$--$15\,{\rm M}_\odot$, the neutrons released by $^4{\rm He}(\bar{\nu}_e,e^+n)^3{\rm H}$ in He shells can be captured to produce nuclei with mass numbers up to $A \sim 200$. This mechanism is sensitive to neutrino emission spectra and flavor oscillations. In addition, we find two new primary mechanisms for neutrino-induced production of $^{9}$Be in He shells. The first mechanism produces $^9$Be via $^7{\rm Li}(n,\gamma)^8{\rm Li}(n,\gamma)^9{\rm Li}(e^-\bar{\nu}_e)^9{\rm Be}$ and relies on a low explosion energy for its survival. The second mechanism operates in progenitors of $\sim 8\,{\rm M}_\odot$, where $^9$Be can be produced directly via $^7{\rm Li}(^3{\rm H},n_0)^9{\rm Be}$ during the rapid expansion of the shocked He-shell material. The light nuclei $^7$Li and $^3$H involved in these mechanisms are produced by neutrino interactions with $^4$He. We discuss the implications of neutrino-induced nucleosynthesis in He shells for interpreting the elemental abundances in metal-poor stars.