Speaker
Description
We investigate the possible impact of multineutron states on nuclear composition under conditions relevant to core-collapse supernovae and proto-neutron stars. We examine the role of multineutron states, such as dineutrons and tetraneutrons, which may emerge from neutron correlations in neutron-rich matter. We extend a statistical model of nuclear matter by incorporating dineutron and tetraneutron degrees of freedom.
We find that dineutrons and tetraneutrons can become abundant at high densities and in neutron-rich environments, thereby reducing the abundance of unbound neutrons. Their formation also decreases the abundance of neutron-rich nuclei. This redistribution increases the abundance of unbound protons and, in turn, enhances the abundance of heavy nuclei.
These results suggest that multineutron correlations can modify the nuclear composition of neutron-rich supernova matter and may affect neutrino opacities. In particular, the increase in unbound protons may enhance electron-type neutrino emission, while the enhanced abundance of heavy nuclei may increase coherent neutrino scattering. These effects could influence neutrino heating and neutrino trapping in core-collapse supernovae and proto-neutron stars.
| Category | Theory |
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