# Muon Creation in Supernova Matter Facilitates Neutrino-driven Explosions

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that muon creation in supernova matter influences neutrino emissions and NS contraction, thereby potentially enhancing the likelihood of neutrino-driven supernova explosions.

## Contribution

It introduces the role of muons in supernova simulations, showing their impact on the equation of state and neutrino-driven explosion mechanisms.

## Key findings

- Muons soften the neutron star equation of state.
- Muons lead to faster neutron star contraction.
- Higher neutrino luminosities and energies are observed.

## Abstract

Muons can be created in nascent neutron stars (NSs) due to the high electron chemical potentials and the high temperatures. Because of their relatively lower abundance compared to electrons, their role has so far been ignored in numerical simulations of stellar core collapse and NS formation. However, the appearance of muons softens the NS equation of state, triggers faster NS contraction and thus leads to higher luminosities and mean energies of the emitted neutrinos. This strengthens the postshock heating by neutrinos and can facilitate explosions by the neutrino-driven mechanism.