Neutrinos and the Supernova Origin of the Elements

Abstract

Intense fluxes of neutrinos are emitted by the hot neutron star produced in a supernova. The electron neutrino and antineutrino capture reactions on neutrons and protons, respectively, provide heating to drive a wind from the hot neutron star. The same reactions also determine the neutron-richness of the wind material. Nucleosynthesis via rapid neutron capture, the r-process, may occur in the wind material as it expands away from the neutron star. The neutron-richness of the wind material, and hence, the r-process nucleosynthesis therein, are sensitive to mixing between the muon (or tauon) neutrino/antineutrino and the electron (or sterile) neutrino/antineutrino. Indirect arguments and direct tests for the supernova origin of the r-process elements are discussed with a goal to establish supernova r-process nucleosynthesis as an important probe for neutrino mixing.