Neutrino Spectroscopy of the Early Phase of Nearby Supernovae

Abstract

Neutrinos emitted during stellar core collapse up to their trapping phase carry information about the stage from which the Supernova explosion process initiates. The dominant $\hat{I}{½}_e$ emission mechanism is by electron capture on free protons and f-p shell nuclei and the spectrum of these neutrinos is a function of the ambient physical conditions within the core as well as the nuclear equation of state. The number of collapse phase $\hat{I}{½}_e$ which can be detected by Super-Kamioka and Sudbury Neutrino Observatory from a Supernova within 1 kpc, and their generic energy spectra are given.

9 pages of text and tables plus 2 pages of figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett. on 11th Jul., 1997. Please e-mail Comments etc. to [email protected]