Connection between supernova shocks, flavor transformation, and the neutrino signal

Abstract

We show that the supernova neutrino signal in terrestrial detectors could give characteristic signatures as the shock propagates through the regions where matter-enhanced neutrino flavor transformation takes place. This effect could allow existing and proposed supernova neutrino detectors to provide new insights into the problem of shock re-generation and propagation. Alternatively, such observations could allow unique insights into the neutrino mass and mixing matrix.