arXiv · 2607.15392
Solar-System Abundances of $p$-Nuclides Probe Collective Neutrino Oscillations in Supernovae
Abstract
Direct evidence for collective neutrino oscillations in core-collapse supernovae remains elusive. We show that this quantum phenomenon leaves a footprint on the abundance pattern of proton-rich nuclides in the solar system. Modeling the $\nu p$-process using a $20\,M_\odot$ progenitor, we map out the dependence of the total yields on the starting radius of the oscillations, self-consistently coupling hydrodynamics and nucleosynthesis. The oscillations boost key $p$-nuclides ($^{92,94}\text{Mo}$, $^{96,98}\text{Ru}$) and long-lived $^{92}\text{Nb}$ by up to two orders of magnitude, bringing their abundances into agreement with the observations. The best match is found when oscillations commence within $10\text{ km}$ of the proto-neutron star surface, indicating fast collective oscillations.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Alexander Friedland, Derek J. Li, Giuseppe Lucente, Payel Mukhopadhyay, Ian Padilla-Gay, Amol V. Patwardhan. 2026-07-16. Solar-System Abundances of $p$-Nuclides Probe Collective Neutrino Oscillations in Supernovae. https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.15392
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.