Neutrino annihilation in Type II supernovae

Abstract

Neutrino-antineutrino annihilation into electrons and positrons can deposit more than 10 to the 51st ergs above the neutrino-sphere of a type II supernova. All species of neutrino contribute roughly equally to the deposited energy. This process, which appears not to have been included in numerical calculations of supernova explosions, may help to drive off the stellar mantle.