Supernova SN1987A Bound on Neutrino Spectra for R-Process Nucleosynthesis

Abstract

The neutrino driven wind during a core collapse supernova is an attractive site for r-process nucleosynthesis. The electron fraction $Y_e$ in the wind depends on observable neutrino energies and luminosities. The mean antineutrino energy is limited by supernova SN1987A data while lepton number conservation constrains the ratio of antineutrino to neutrino luminosities. If $Y_e$, in the wind, is to be suitable for rapid neutron capture nucleosynthesis, then the mean electron neutrino energy may be significantly lower then that predicted in present supernova simulations, or there may be new neutrino physics such as oscillations to sterile neutrinos.

5 pages, 1 fig, more discussion of time dependence, Phys. Rev. D in press