University of
Notre Dame
College of
Science
Department of
Physics

Special Summer Astrophysics Seminar

 

Neutrino Nucleosynthesis in Supernovae with Neutrino Oscillations

 

Dr. Takashi Yoshida
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

 

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - 12:30 p.m.   NSH 341A

 

During a supernova explosion, about 1058 of neutrinos are emitted from a proto-neutron star. Although the cross sections of neutrino- nucleus reactions are very small, the huge number of the neutrinos enable to produce some less abundant elements. This is called the neutrino-process. Among light elements 7Li and 11B are produced through the neutrino-process in supernovae. The neutrinos emitted from a proto-neutron star change their flavors in the star owing to neutrino oscillations. Since the energy spectra of electron-neutrinos and electron-antineutrinos change by neutrino oscillations, the contribution of charged-current reactions in the neutrino-process change. Therefore, the yields of the light elements are expected to change by neutrino oscillations and they depend on the neutrino oscillation parameters, the mass hierarchy and the mixng angle theta13. We investigate the light element synthesis in supernovae taking account of neutrino oscillations. First, we show the change of the neutrino energy spectra by neutrino oscillations. Then, We show the dependence of the yields of 7Li and 11B on neutrino oscillation parameters. Finally, we discuss the possibility for constraining the mass hierarchy and the mixing angle theta13 from the viewpoint of nucleosynthesis study.

 

 

*Note changed location.

All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.