Presupernova collapse models with improved weak-interaction rates

Phys Rev Lett. 2001 Feb 26;86(9):1678-81. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.1678.

Abstract

Improved values for stellar weak-interaction rates have been recently calculated based upon a large shell-model diagonalization. Using these new rates (for both beta decay and electron capture), we have examined the presupernova evolution of massive stars in the range (15--40)M(o). Comparing our new models with a standard set of presupernova models by Woosley and Weaver, we find significantly larger values for the electron-to-baryon ratio at the onset of collapse and smaller iron core masses. These changes may have important consequences for nucleosynthesis and the supernova explosion mechanism.