Prompt convection in core collapse supernovae

Abstract

We investigate prompt convection in core collapse supernovae and its consequences for the late-time shock evolution and supernova outcome. We examine the evolution of the core prior to the onset of convection and nd that the negative entropy gradients imprinted on the outer core by the weakening shock, which, along with the negative lepton gradient, drive the convection, are very sensitive to (1) the neutrino transport and microphysics included in the core collapse simulation and (2) the nuclear equation of state. We perform a number of detailed one-dimensional spherically symmetric simulations of prompt convection using a mixing length algorithm in a code coupling the core hydrodynamics with multigroup uxlimited di usion of neutrinos of all types. We nd that prompt convection does not have a signi cant e ect on the neutrino luminosities or spectra in the postshock region and, consequently, on the late-time postshock neutrino heating and shock evolution. Consequently, we do not nd that prompt convection is important for the supernova explosion mechanism. 2