5 pages, 4 figures. To appear in "Low-Metallicity Star Formation: From the First Stars to Dwarf Galaxies", Proceedings of IAU Symposium 255 (June 2008, Rapallo), eds. L.K. Hunt, S. Madden, & R. Schneider (Cambridge Univ. Press)
The first metal enrichment in the universe was made by supernova (SN) explosions of population (Pop) III stars. The trace remains in abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars. We investigate the properties of nucleosynthesis in Pop III SNe by means of comparing their yields with the abundance patterns of the EMP stars. We focus on (1) jet-induced SNe with various energy deposition rates [$\dot{E}_{\rm dep}=(0.3-1500)\times10^{51}{\rm ergs s^{-1}}$], and (2) SNe of stars with various main-sequence masses ($M_{\rm ms}=13-50M_\odot$) and explosion energies [$E=(1-40)\times10^{51}$ergs]. The varieties of Pop III SNe can explain varieties of the EMP stars: (1) higher [C/Fe] for lower [Fe/H] and (2) trends of abundance ratios [X/Fe] against [Fe/H].
Recent nucleosynthesis calculations of Type II supernovae using advanced neutrino transport determine that the early neutrino winds are proton-rich. However, a fraction of the ejecta emitted at the same time is composed of neutron-rich pockets. In this paper we calculate the nucleosynthesis contribution from the neutron-rich pockets in the hot convective bubbles of a core-collapse supernova and show that they do not contribute significantly to the total nucleosynthesis.
Presupernova evolution and explosive nucleosynthesis in massive stars for main-sequence masses from 13 $M_\odot$ to 70 $M_\odot$ are calculated. We examine the dependence of the supernova yields on the stellar mass, $^{12}C(α, γ) ^{16}O}$ rate, and explosion energy. The supernova yields integrated over the initial mass function are compared with the solar abundances.
There have been attempts to fit the abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor stars with supernova nucleosynthesis models for the lighter elements than Zn. On the other hand, observations have revealed that the presence of EMP stars with peculiarly high ratio of "weak r-process elements" Sr, Y and Zr. Although several possible processes were suggested for the origin of these elements, the complete solution for reproducing those ratios is not found yet. In order to reproduce the abundance patterns of such stars, we investigate a model with neutron rich matter ejection from the inner region of …
We study the r-process nucleosynthesis in neutrino-driven winds of gravitational core collapse SNeII. Appropriate physical conditions are found for successful r-process nucleosynthesis, which meet with several features of heavy elements discovered recently in metal-deficient halo stars. We find also several difficulties which are not explained in the present wind models. We discuss quests for new insights in nuclear physics, astrophysics, and astronomy.
Stars more massive than $\sim$ 20 - 25 \ms form a black hole at the end of their evolution. Stars with non-rotating black holes are likely to collapse "quietly" ejecting a small amount of heavy elements (Faint supernovae). In contrast, stars with rotating black holes are likely to give rise to very energetic supernovae (Hypernovae). We present distinct nucleosynthesis features of these two types of "black-hole-forming" supernovae. Nucleosynthesis in Hypernovae is characterized by larger abundance ratios (Zn,Co,V,Ti)/Fe and smaller (Mn,Cr)/Fe than normal supernovae, which can explain the observ…
We have performed 1-dimensional calculations for explosive nucleosynthesis in collapse-driven supernova and investigated its sensitivity to the initial form of the shock wave. We have found the tendency that the peak temperature becomes higher around the mass cut if the input energy is injected more in the form of kinetic energy rather than internal energy. Then, the mass cut becomes larger, and, as a result, neutron-rich matter is less included in the ejecta; this is favorable for producing the observational data compared with a previous model. Our results imply that the standard method to tr…
We present a new set of presupernova evolutions and explosive yields of massive stars of initial solar composition (Y=0.285, Z=0.02) in the mass range 13-35 Msun. All the models have been computed with the latest version (4.97) of the FRANEC code that now includes a nuclear network extending from neutrons to Mo98. The explosive nucleosynthesis has been computed twice: a first one with an hydro code and a second one following the simpler radiation dominated shock approximation (RDA).
We present a new analysis of the abundances observed in extremely metal poor stars based on both a new generation of theoretical presupernova models and explosions of zero metallicity massive stars and a new abundance analysis of an homogeneous sample of stars having [Fe/H]<-2.5 (Cayrel et al. 2004).
Motivated by observations of supernova SN 1987A, various authors have simulated Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instabilities in the envelopes of core collapse supernovae (for a review, see Mueller 1998). The non-radial motion found in these simulations qualitatively agreed with observations in SN 1987A, but failed to explain the extent of mixing of newly synthesized 56Ni quantitatively. Here we present results of a 2D hydrodynamic simulation which re-addresses this failure and covers the entire evolution of the first 5 hours after core bounce.
Live 60Fe has recently been detected in a deep-ocean ferromanganese crust, isolated in layers dating from about 3 Myr ago. Since 60Fe has a mean life of 2.2 Myr, a near-Earth supernova is the only likely source for such a signal, and we explore here the consequences of a supernova origin. We combine the 60Fe data with several supernova nucleosynthesis models to calculate the supernova distance as a function of progenitor mass, finding an allowed range of 15-120 pc. We also predict the signals expected for several other radioisotopes, which are independent of the supernova distance. Species lik…
We discuss various neutrino-nucleus interactions in connection with the supernova r-process nucleosynthesis, which possibly occurs in the neutrino-driven wind of a young neutron star. These interactions include absorptions of electron neutrinos and antineutrinos on free nucleons, electron-neutrino captures on neutron-rich nuclei, and neutral-current interactions of heavy-flavor neutrinos with alpha particles and neutron-rich nuclei. We describe how these interactions can affect the r-process nucleosynthesis and discuss the implications of their effects for the physical conditions leading to a …
We review the nucleosynthesis yields of core-collapse supernovae (SNe) for various stellar masses, explosion energies, and metallicities. Comparison with the abundance patterns of metal-poor stars provides excellent opportunities to test the explosion models and their nucleosynthesis. We show that the abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars, e.g., the excess of C, Co, Zn relative to Fe, are in better agreement with the yields of hyper-energetic explosions (Hypernovae, HNe) rather than normal supernovae. We note that the variation of the abundance patterns of EMP stars are relate…
Many radioactive nuclei relevant for gamma-ray astrophysics are synthesized during explosive events, such as classical novae and supernovae. A review of recent results of explosive nucleosynthesis in these scenarios is presented, with a special emphasis on the ensuing gamma-ray emission from individual nova and supernova explosions. The influence of the dynamic properties of the ejecta on the gamma-ray emission features, as well as the still remaining uncertainties in nova and supernova models is also reviewed.
We explore the effects on nucleosynthesis in Type II supernovae of various parameters (mass cut, neutron excess, explosion energy, progenitor mass) in order to explain the observed trends of the iron-peak element abundance ratios ([Cr/Fe], [Mn/Fe], [Co/Fe] and [Ni/Fe]) in halo stars as a function of metallicity for the range $ -4 \le$ [Fe/H] $\le -2.5$. [Cr/Fe] and [Mn/Fe] decrease with decreasing [Fe/H], while [Co/Fe] behaves the opposite way and increases. We show that such a behavior can be explained by a variation of mass cuts in Type II supernovae as a function of progenitor mass, which p…
We investigate the effects of neutrino-nucleus interactions (the nu-process) on the production of iron-peak elements in Population III core-collapse supernovae. The nu-process and the following proton and neutron capture reactions produce odd-Z iron-peak elements in complete and incomplete Si burning region. This reaction sequence enhances the abundances of Sc, Mn, and Co in the supernova ejecta. The supernova explosion models of 15 M_sol and 25 M_sol stars with the nu-process well reproduce the averaged Mn/Fe ratio observed in extremely metal-poor halo stars. In order to reproduce the observe…
Matter-enhanced antineutrino flavor transformation between $\barν_e$ and $\barν_{μ(τ)}$ can occur in supernovae if the vacuum masses for these species satisfy $m_{\barν_e}>m_{\barν_{μ(τ)}}$. For $δm^2> 1$ eV$^2$, such flavor transformation can affect the electron fraction $Y_e$ in the neutrino-heated supernova ejecta. We point out that such flavor transformation will not drive $Y_e>0.5$ at the $r$-process nucleosynthesis epoch in the best available supernova model for such nucleosynthesis. Consequently, there is no obvious conflict between matter-enhanced antineutrino flavor transformation $\b…
We study the nucleosyntheses of the light elements 7Li and 11B and the r-process elements in Type II supernovae from the point of view of supernova neutrinos and Galactic chemical evolution. We investigate the influence of the luminosity and average energy (temperature) of supernova neutrinos on these two nucleosynthesis processes. Common models of the total energy E_nu and the decay time of the neutrino luminosity tau_nu of supernova neutrinos are adopted to understand both processes. We adopt the model of the supernova explosion of a 16.2 M_odot star, which corresponds to SN 1987A, and calcu…
We investigate $r$-process nucleosynthesis during the magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) explosion of supernova in a massive star of 13 $M_{\odot}$. Contrary to the case of the spherical explosion, jet-like explosion due to the combined effects of the rotation and magnetic field lowers the electron fraction significantly inside the layers above the iron core. We find that the ejected material of low electron fraction responsible for the $r$-process comes out from the silicon rich layer of the presupernova model. This leads to the production up to the third peak in the solar $r$-process elements. We e…
Stars with a wide range of masses provide a variety of production sites for intermediate-to-heavy mass elements. Very massive stars with mass $\geq 8 M_{\odot}$ culminate their evolution by supernova explosions which are presumed to be the most viable candidate astrophysical sites of r-process nucleosynthesis. If the models for the supernova r-process are correct, then nucleosynthesis results could also pose a significant constraint on the remnant of supernova explosions, $i.e.$ neutron star or black hole. In the case of very massive core collapse, a remnant stellar black hole is thought to be…
We examine nucleosynthesis in the electron capture supernovae of progenitor AGB stars with an O-Ne-Mg core (with the initial stellar mass of 8.8 M_\odot). Thermodynamic trajectories for the first 810 ms after core bounce are taken from a recent state-of-the-art hydrodynamic simulation. The presented nucleosynthesis results are characterized by a number of distinct features that are not shared with those of other supernovae from the collapse of stars with iron core (with initial stellar masses of more than 10 M_\odot). First is the small amount of 56Ni (= 0.002-0.004 M_\odot) in the ejecta, whi…
Spallative nucleosynthesis is thought to be the only process capable of producing significant amount of Beryllium (Be) in the universe. Therefore, both energetic particles (EPs) and nuclei to be spalled (most efficiently C, N and O nuclei in this case) are required, which indicates that supernovae (SNe) may be directly involved in the synthesis of the Be nuclei observed in the halo stars of the Galaxy. We apply current knowledge relating to supernova remnant (SNR) evolution and particle shock acceleration to calculate the total Be yield associated with a SN explosion in the interstellar medium…
We have estimated the dispersion of the inferred relative frequencies of Type-Ia and Type- II supernovae ($N_{Ia}/ N_{II}$) in our Galaxy by fitting the numerical results of supernova nucleosynthesis to the solar-system abundances. The ratio $N_{Ia}/ N_{II}$ is estimated to be 0.056--0.14, which is consistent with the observation, if the model of Woosley and Weaver (1995, WW95) is adopted for Type-II supernovae (SNe II). On the other hand, the upper limit of $N_{Ia}/ N_{II}$ becomes too large for the model of Hashimoto (1995, Ha95). However, Ha95 can fit the solar values better than WW95 as fa…
Among the major uncertainties involved in the Chandrasekhar mass models for Type Ia supernovae are the companion star of the accreting white dwarf (or the accretion rate that determines the carbon ignition density) and the flame speed after ignition. We present nucleosynthesis results from relatively slow deflagration (1.5 - 3 % of the sound speed) to constrain the rate of accretion from the companion star. Because of electron capture, a significant amount of neutron-rich species such as ^{54}Cr, ^{50}Ti, ^{58}Fe, ^{62}Ni, etc. are synthesized in the central region. To avoid the too large rati…
We present new nucleosynthesis yields as functions of the stellar mass, metallicity, and explosion energy (corresponding to normal supernovae and Hypernovae). We apply the results to the chemical evolution of the solar neighborhood. Our new yields are based on the new developments in the observational/theoretical studies of supernovae (SNe) and extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars in the halo, which have provided excellent opportunities to test the explosion models and their nucleosynthesis. We use the light curve and spectra fitting of individual SN to estimate the mass of the progenitor, explosi…
We investigate p-process nucleosynthesis in a supercritical accretion disk around a compact object of 1.4 M_solar, using the self-similar solution of an optically thick advection dominated flow. Supercritical accretion is expected to occur in a supernova with fallback material accreting onto a new-born compact object. It is found that appreciable amounts of p-nuclei are synthesized via the p-process in supernova-driven supercritical accretion disks (SSADs) when the accretion rate m_dot = M_dot c^2/(16 L_Edd) >10^5, where L_Edd is the Eddington luminosity. Abundance profiles of p-nuclei ejected…
The luminosity distance vs. redshift law is now measured using supernovae and gamma ray bursts, and the angular size distance is measured at the surface of last scattering by the CMB and at z = 0.35 by baryon acoustic oscillations. In this paper this data is fit to models for the equation of state with w = -1, w = const, and w(z) = w_0+w_a(1-a). The last model is poorly constrained by the distance data, leading to unphysical solutions where the dark energy dominates at early times unless the large scale structure and acoustic scale constraints are modified to allow for early time dark energy e…
X-ray observations have shown that the chemical abundance in the starburst galaxy M82 is quite rich in Si and S compared with oxygen. Such an abundance pattern cannot be explained with any combination of conventional Type I and II supernova yields. Also the energy to heavy element mass ratio of the observed hot plasma is much higher than the value resulted from normal supernovae. We calculate explosive nucleosynthesis in core-collapse hypernovae and show that the abundance pattern and the large ratio between the energy and the heavy element mass can be explained with the hypernova nucleosynthe…
The explosion of a white dwarf of mass 1.36 M$_\odot$ has been simulated in three dimensions with the aid of a SPH code. The explosion follows the delayed detonation paradigma. In this case the deflagration-detonation transition is induced by the large corrugation of the flame front resulting from Rayleigh-Taylor instability and turbulence. The nucleosynthetic yields have been calculated, showing that some neutronized isotopes such as 54^Fe or 58^Ni are not overproduced with respect to the solar system ratios. The distribution of intermediate-mass elements is also compatible with the spectra o…
We review some of the uncertainties in calculating nucleosynthetic yields, focusing on the explosion mechanism. Current yield calculations tend to either use a piston, energy injection, or enhancement of neutrino opacities to drive an explosion. We show that the energy injection, or more accurately, an entropy injection mechanism is best-suited to mimic our current understanding of the convection-enhanced supernova engine. The enhanced neutrino-opacity technique is in qualitative disagreement with simulations of core-collapse supernovae and will likely produce errors in the yields. But piston-…
The role of the sterile neutrinos to the r-process nucleosynthesis in supernova explosions is studied. Previously it has been argued that a large part of neutrino mixing can be excluded if the supernovae are the origin of the heavy elements. It is shown that a conversion to sterile neutrinos may evade those limits. The possibility that such conversions can enhance the nucleosynthesis is investigated. The desired mass spectrum is consistent with neutrino masses suggested by other observed phenomena, like the solar neutrino problem, the atmospheric neurino problem, dark matter and the LSND signa…
We calculate the spallative production of light elements associated with the explosion of an isolated supernova in the interstellar medium, using a time-dependent model taking into account the dilution of the ejected enriched material and the adiabatic energy losses. We first derive the injection function of energetic particles (EPs) accelerated at both the forward and the reverse shock, as a function of time. Then we calculate the Be yields obtained in both cases and compare them to the value implied by the observational data for metal-poor stars in the halo of our Galaxy, using both O and Fe…
We explore the dependence of pre-supernova evolution and supernova nucleosynthesis yields on the uncertainties in helium burning reaction rates. Using the revised solar abundances of Lodders (2003) for the initial stellar composition, instead of those of Anders & Grevesse (1989), changes the supernova yields and limits the constraints that those yields place on the 12C(a,g)16O reaction rate. The production factors of medium-weight elements (A = 16-40) were found to be in reasonable agreement with observed solar ratios within the current experimental uncertainties in the triple alpha reaction r…
High-resolution two-dimensional simulations were performed for the first five minutes of the evolution of a core collapse supernova explosion in a 15 solar mass blue supergiant progenitor. The computations start shortly after bounce and include neutrino-matter interactions by using a light-bulb approximation for the neutrinos, and a treatment of the nucleosynthesis due to explosive silicon and oxygen burning. We find that newly formed iron-group elements are distributed throughout the inner half of the helium core by Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities at the Ni+Si/O and C+O/He interfaces, seeded by…
We calculate evolution and nucleosynthesis in massive Pop III stars with M = 13 ~ 270Msun, and compare the results with abundances of very metal-poor halo stars. The observed abundances can be explained by the energetic core-collapse supernovae with M < ~ 130Msun (``hypernovae'') but not by pair-instability supernovae (PISNe) with M ~ 140-270 Msun. This result constrain the IMF for the Pop III and very metal-poor Pop II stars.
The neutrino driven wind during a core collapse supernova is an attractive site for r-process nucleosynthesis. The electron fraction $Y_e$ in the wind depends on observable neutrino energies and luminosities. The mean antineutrino energy is limited by supernova SN1987A data while lepton number conservation constrains the ratio of antineutrino to neutrino luminosities. If $Y_e$, in the wind, is to be suitable for rapid neutron capture nucleosynthesis, then the mean electron neutrino energy may be significantly lower then that predicted in present supernova simulations, or there may be new neutr…
We explore the sensitivity of the nucleosynthesis of intermediate mass elements (28 < A < 80) in supernovae derived from massive stars to the nuclear reaction rates employed in the model. Two standard sources of reaction rate data (Woosley et al. 1978; and Thielemann et al. 1987) are employed in pairs of calculations that are otherwise identical. Both include as a common backbone the experimental reactions rates of Caughlan & Fowler (1988). Two stellar models are calculated for each of two main sequence masses: 15 and 25 solar masses. Each star is evolved from core hydrogen burning to a presup…
We calculate nucleosynthesis in core-collapse explosions of massive Pop III stars, and compare the results with abundances of metal-poor halo stars to constrain the parameters of Pop III supernovae. We focus on iron-peak elements and, in particular, we try to reproduce the large [Zn/Fe] observed in extremely metal-poor stars. The interesting trends of the observed ratios [Zn, Co, Mn, Cr, V/Fe] can be related to the variation of the relative mass of the complete and incomplete Si-burning regions in supernova ejecta. We find that [Zn/Fe] is larger for deeper mass-cuts, smaller neutron excess, an…
A review of the latest measurements of the primordial abundances of the light nuclei D, 3He, 4He and 7Li is given. We discuss in particular the primordial abundance Yp of 4He as measured in blue compact dwarf galaxies. We argue that the best measurements now give a ``high'' value of Yp along with a ``low'' value of D/H, and that the two independent measurements are consistent within the framework of standard Big Bang nucleosynthesis with a number of light neutrino species Nnu = 3.0+/-0.3 (2sigma).
Primordial nucleosynthesis is considered a success story of the standard big bang (SBB) cosmology. The cosmological and elementary particle physics parameters are believed to be severely constrained by the requirement of correct abundances of light elements. We demonstrate nucleosynthesis in a class of models very different from SBB. In these models the cosmological scale factor increases linearly with time from the period during which nucleosynthesis occurs. It turns out that weak interactions remain in thermal equilibrium upto temperatures which are two orders of magnitude lower than the cor…
The most energetic part of the electromagnetic spectrum bears the purest clues to the synthesis of atomic nuclei in the universe. The decay of radioactive species, synthesized in stellar environments and ejected into the interstellar medium, gives rise to specific gamma ray lines. The observations gathered up to now show evidence for radioactivities throughout the galactic disk, in young supernova remnants (Cas A, Vela), and in nearby extragalactic supernovae (SN 1987A, SN 1991T and SN1998bu), in the form of specific gamma ray lines resulting, respectively, from the radioactive decay of 26Al, …
We calculate nucleosynthesis in Population (Pop) III supernovae (SNe) and compare the yields with various abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars. We assume that the observed EMP stars are the second generation stars, which have the metal-abundance patterns of Pop III SNe. Previous theoretical yields of Pop III SNe cannot explain the trends in the abundance ratios among iron-peak elements (Mn, Co, Ni, Zn)/Fe as well as the large C/Fe ratio observed in certain EMP stars with [Fe/H] <~ -2.5. In the present paper, we show that if we introduce higher explosion energies and mixing-fa…
We investigate the behavior and consequences of the reverse shock that terminates the supersonic expansion of the baryonic wind which is driven by neutrino heating off the surface of (non-magnetized) new-born neutron stars in supernova cores. To this end we perform long-time hydrodynamic simulations in spherical symmetry. In agreement with previous relativistic wind studies, we find that the neutrino-driven outflow accelerates to supersonic velocities and in case of a compact, about 1.4 solar mass (gravitational mass) neutron star with a radius of about 10 km, the wind reaches entropies of abo…
The interstellar medium of low-metallicity systems undergoing star formation will show chemical abundance inhomogeneities due to supernova events enriching the medium on a local scale. If the star formation time-scale is shorter than the time-scale of mixing of the interstellar matter, the inhomogeneities are reflected in the surface abundances of low-mass stars and thereby detailed information on the nucleosynthesis in the first generations of supernovae is preserved. Characteristic patterns and substructures are therefore expected to be found, apart from the large scatter behaviour, in the d…
A light sterile neutrino species has been introduced to explain simultaneously the solar and atmospheric neutrino puzzles and the results of the LSND experiment, while providing for a hot component of dark matter. Employing this scheme of neutrino masses and mixings, we show how matter-enhanced active-sterile neutrino transformation followed by active-active neutrino transformation can solve robustly the neutron deficit problem encountered by models of r-process nucleosynthesis associated with neutrino-heated supernova ejecta.
In recent years the technique of Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) has been successfully applied to several astrophysical problems. This method should also allow a consistent multi-dimensional modelling of supernova explosions. In this contribution we address some of the computational difficulties encountered when trying to apply the AMR method to explosive nucleosynthesis and supernova envelope ejection.
Explosions of type Ic supernovae (SNe Ic) are investigated using a relativistic hydrodynamic code to study roles of their outermost layers of the ejecta in light element nucleosynthesis through spallation reactions as a possible mechanism of the "primary" process. We have confirmed that the energy distribution of the outermost layers with a mass fraction of only 0.001 % follows the empirical formula proposed by previous work when the explosion is furious. In such explosions, a significant fraction of the ejecta ($>$0.1 % in mass) have the energy greater than the threshold energy for spallation…
We present here a new determination of the ratio of energies radiated by active galactic nuclei and by stars and discuss the reasons for the apparently conflicting results found in previous studies. We conclude that the energy radiated by accretion processes onto super massive black holes is about 1 to 5% of the energy radiated by stars. We also estimate that the total mass accreted on average by a super massive black hole at the centre of a typical 10^11 Msol galaxy is of about 7 10^7 Msol.
This review concentrates on nucleosynthesis processes in general and their applications to massive stars and supernovae. A brief initial introduction is given to the physics in astrophysical plasmas which governs composition changes. We present the basic equations for thermonuclear reaction rates and nuclear reaction networks. The required nuclear physics input for reaction rates is discussed, i.e. cross sections for nuclear reactions, photodisintegrations, electron and positron captures, neutrino captures, inelastic neutrino scattering, and beta-decay half-lives. We examine especially the pre…
Explosive nucleosynthesis under the axisymmetric explosion in Type II supernova has been performed by means of two dimensional hydrodynamical calculations. We have compared the results with the observations of SN 1987A. Our chief findings are as follows: (1) $^{44}Ti$ is synthesized so much as to explain the tail of the bolometric light curve of SN 1987A. We think this is because the alpha-rich freezeout takes place more actively under the axisymmetric explosion. (2) $^{57}Ni$ and $^{58}Ni$ tend to be overproduced compared with the observations. However, this tendency relies strongly on the pr…
We discuss the effects of resonant spin-flavor precession (RSFP) of Majorana neutrinos on heavy element nucleosynthesis in neutrino-heated supernova ejecta and the dynamics of supernovae. In assessing the effects of RSFP, we explicitly include matter-enhanced (MSW) resonant neutrino flavor conversion effects where appropriate. We point out that for plausible ranges of neutrino magnetic moments and proto-neutron star magnetic fields, spin-flavor conversion of $ν_τ$ (or $ν_μ$) with a cosmologically significant mass (1--100 eV) into a light $\bar ν_e$ could lead to an enhanced neutron excess in n…
We review the characteristics of nucleosynthesis in 'Hypernovae', i.e., supernovae with very large explosion energies ($ \gsim 10^{52} $ ergs). The hypernova yields compared to those of ordinary core-collapse supernovae show the following characteristics: 1) Complete Si-burning takes place in more extended region, so that the mass ratio between the complete and incomplete Si burning regions is generally larger in hypernovae than normal supernovae. As a result, higher energy explosions tend to produce larger [(Zn, Co)/Fe], smaller [(Mn, Cr)/Fe], and larger [Fe/O], which could explain the trend …
We perform hydrodynamical and nucleosynthesis calculations of core-collapse supernovae (SNe) and hypernovae (HNe) of Population (Pop) III stars. We provide new yields for the main-sequence mass of $M_{\rm MS}=13-50$ $M_{\odot}$ and the explosion energy of $E=1-40\times10^{51}$ ergs to apply for chemical evolution studies. Our HN yields based on the mixing-fallback model of explosions reproduce the observed abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars ($-4< {\rm [Fe/H]}< -3$), while those of very metal-poor (VMP) stars ($-3<{\rm [Fe/H]} < -2$) are reproduced by the normal SN yields in…
We study nucleosynthesis in 'hypernovae', i.e., supernovae with very large explosion energies ($ \gsim 10^{52} $ ergs) for both spherical and aspherical explosions. The hypernova yields compared to those of ordinary core-collapse supernovae show the following characteristics: 1) Complete Si-burning takes place in more extended region, so that the mass ratio between the complete and incomplete Si burning regions is generally larger in hypernovae than normal supernovae. As a result, higher energy explosions tend to produce larger [(Zn, Co)/Fe], small [(Mn, Cr)/Fe], and larger [Fe/O], which could…
In this contribution we discuss the 44Ti nucleosynthesis gamma-ray lines and their visibility with SIMBOL-X from simulations based on its expected sensitivity and spectro-imaging capabilities. The 44Ti radioactive nucleus can provide invaluable information on the details of supernova explosions. Its lifetime of about 85 yrs makes it the best indicator of the youth of these stellar explosions through its three gamma-ray lines at 67.9, 78.4 keV and 1.157 MeV. We focus on the youngest Galactic supernova remnants, namely: Cassiopeia A, for which the location and Doppler-velocity estimates of the 4…
In this review I discuss the various gamma-ray emission lines that are expected and have been observed from radioactive explosive nucleosynthesis products. The most important gamma-ray lines result from the decay chains of Ni-56, Ni-57, and Ti-44. Ni-56 is the prime explosive nucleosynthesis product of Type Ia supernovae, but Ni-56 is also a product of core-collapse supernovae. Gamma-ray line emission from its daughter product, Co-56, has been detected from SN1987A. The early occurrence of this emission indicates that some fraction of Ni-56, which is synthesized in the innermost supernova laye…
As an explosion develops in the collapsed core of a massive star, neutrino emission drives convection in a hot bubble of radiation, nucleons, and pairs just outside a proto-neutron star. Shortly thereafter, neutrinos drive a wind-like outflow from the neutron star. In both the convective bubble and the early wind, weak interactions temporarily cause a proton excess (Ye > 0.5) to develop in the ejected matter. This situation lasts for at least the first second, and the approximately 0.05 - 0.1 solar masses that is ejected has an unusual composition that may be important for nucleosynthesis. Usi…
We continue our analysis of the Galactic oxygen-rich supernova remnant (SNR) G292.0+1.8, which was observed with the {\it Chandra X-ray Observatory}. The high angular resolution {\it Chandra} data resolve metal-rich ejecta knots as well as the shocked circumstellar medium. X-ray emission from the ejecta material in G292.0+1.8 is dominated by highly ionized O, Ne and Mg. Measured abundance ratios suggest that this material was produced during the hydrostatic evolution of the massive progenitor star. In contrast to Cassiopeia A, there is little evidence for X-ray-emitting ejecta from explosive n…
We calculate explosive nucleosynthesis in Chandrasekhar mass models for Type Ia Supernovae(SNe Ia) to obtain new constraints on the rate of matter accretion onto the progenitor white dwarf and on the ignition density of central carbon deflagration. The calculated abundance of the Fe-group neutron-rich nuclei is highly sensitive to the electron captures taking place in the central layers. The yields obtained from a slow central deflagration, and from a fast deflagration or delayed detonation in the outer layers, are combined and put to comparison with solar isotopic abundances. We found that (1…
To constrain the conditions for very early nucleosynthesis in the Universe we compare the chemical enrichment pattern of an extremely metal-poor damped Lyman alpha (DLA) absorber with predictions from recent explosive nucleosynthesis model calculations. For this, we have analyzed chemical abundances in the DLA system at z_abs=2.6183 toward the quasar Q0913+072 (z_em=2.785) using public UVES/VLT high spectral resolution data. The total neutral hydrogen column density in this absorber is logN(HI)=20.36. Accurate column densities are derived for CII, NI, OI, AlII, SiII, and FeII. Upper limits are…
It is proposed that when the era of the big-bang nucleosynthesis ended, almost all of the 75 percent of the observed total baryonic matter remained in the form of hydrogen and continued to exist in the form of protons and electrons. They are present today as baryonic dark matter in the form of intergalactic hydrogen plasma. To test our hypothesis we have investigated the effects of Thomson scattering by free electrons on the reported dimming of Type Ia supernovae. The quantitative results of our calculation suggest that the dimming of these supernovae, which are dimmer than expected and hence …
