Nuclear electron capture in core collapse supernovae Original Research Article

The dynamics of stellar core collapse are strongly dependent on nuclear electron capture, primarily on nuclei with masses larger than 60. In prior simulations of core collapse, electron capture on these nuclei has been treated in a highly parameterized fashion, if not ignored. Recent advances in nuclear structure theory have allowed a more realistic treatment to be developed. With this new treatment of electron capture on heavy nuclei come significant changes in the hydrodynamics of core collapse and bounce. We discuss these as well as the sensitivity of these results to the strength of nuclear electron capture.