Neutrinos from Diffuse Supernova Background

TL;DR

This paper discusses the diffuse supernova neutrino background, a faint flux of neutrinos from all past supernovae, highlighting its significance for understanding supernovae and black hole formation, and reviewing detection prospects.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the DSNB calculation, current experimental limits, and the potential insights into supernova populations and black hole formation.

Findings

Current experimental limits on DSNB detection

Estimated flux of neutrinos from all past supernovae

Implications for black hole formation rates

Abstract

Neutrinos are the second most abundant particles in the universe according to the Standard Model, yet they are the least likely to interact. This feature implies that detecting a neutrino can reveal valuable insights into its source. Among the known sources of neutrinos, core-collapse supernovae are one of the most efficient factories. On average, a single collapse occurs every second in the observable universe, emitting approximately $10^{58}$ neutrinos. The total flux of neutrinos reaching Earth from all core-collapse supernovae across the universe is the diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB). Detection of the DSNB is just around the corner. This guaranteed flux of astrophysical neutrinos encodes information about the whole supernova population, including an answer to a currently unsolved question about the rate at which black holes form from massive stars. This chapter discusses the ingredients entering the DSNB calculation as well as current experimental limits and hints.