Neutrino-Matter Interaction Rates in Supernovae: The Essential Microphysics of Core Collapse

Abstract

Neutrino-matter interaction rates are central to the core collapse phenomenon and, perhaps, to the viability of the mechanism of core-collapse supernova explosions. In this paper we catalog and discuss the major neutrino scattering, absorption, and production processes that together influence the outcome of core collapse and the cooling of protoneutron stars. These are the essential inputs into the codes used to simulate the supernova phenomenon and an understanding of these processes is a prerequisite to continuing progress in supernova theory.