Non-conservation of Lepton Numbers in the Neutrino Sector Could Change the Prospects for Core Collapse Supernova Explosions

Non-conservation of Lepton Numbers in the Neutrino Sector Could Change the Prospects for Core Collapse Supernova Explosions
Anna M. Suliga, Patrick Chi-Kit Cheong, Julien Froustey, George M. Fuller, Luk’av{s} Gr’af, Kyle Kehrer, Oliver Scholer, Shashank Shalgar
arXiv:2410.01080v2 Announce Type: replace-cross
Abstract: We show that interactions violating the conservation of lepton numbers in the neutrino sector could significantly alter the standard low entropy picture for the pre-supernova collapsing core of a massive star. A rapid neutrino-antineutrino equilibration leads to entropy generation and enhanced electron capture and, hence, a lower electron fraction than in the standard model. This would affect the downstream core evolution, the prospects for a supernova explosion, and the emergent neutrino signal. If realized by lepton-number-violating neutrino self-interactions (LNV $nu$SI), the relevant mediator mass and coupling ranges can be probed by future accelerator-based experiments.arXiv:2410.01080v2 Announce Type: replace-cross
Abstract: We show that interactions violating the conservation of lepton numbers in the neutrino sector could significantly alter the standard low entropy picture for the pre-supernova collapsing core of a massive star. A rapid neutrino-antineutrino equilibration leads to entropy generation and enhanced electron capture and, hence, a lower electron fraction than in the standard model. This would affect the downstream core evolution, the prospects for a supernova explosion, and the emergent neutrino signal. If realized by lepton-number-violating neutrino self-interactions (LNV $nu$SI), the relevant mediator mass and coupling ranges can be probed by future accelerator-based experiments.