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Diffuse neutrino flux from failed supernovae
1Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-1504, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|August 8, 2009
Summary
Electron antineutrinos from failed supernovae are more energetic, potentially increasing the total diffuse flux. This flux may approach Super-Kamiokande sensitivity and cause spectral distortions in megaton detectors.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics and particle physics, focusing on neutrino astronomy and stellar evolution.
Background:
- Stellar collapses, particularly failed supernovae, produce electron antineutrinos.
- The diffuse flux of these neutrinos is a key observable in neutrino astronomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diffuse flux of electron antineutrinos from failed supernovae.
- To assess the contribution of these neutrinos to the total diffuse flux and their detectability.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of neutrino emission from core-collapse supernovae with direct black hole formation.
- Analysis of antineutrino spectra and energy distributions.
Main Results:
- The diffuse flux from failed supernovae is more energetic than from successful supernovae.
- This flux may significantly contribute to the total diffuse flux above detection thresholds.
- The flux can approach the sensitivity of detectors like Super-Kamiokande.
Conclusions:
- Failed supernovae could substantially increase the total diffuse electron antineutrino flux.
- An observable spectral distortion is possible at megaton detectors for antineutrino energies above 30-45 MeV.
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