Neutrino–nucleus reactions in core-collapse supernovae

Nuclear physics plays an essential role in the dynamics of a type II supernova (a collapsing star). Recent advances in nuclear many-body theory allow us now to calculate the stellar weak-interaction processes involving nuclei. The most important process is the electron capture on finite nuclei with mass numbers A>55A>55. This process is the source of neutrinos during the collapse phase. Neutrino–nucleus reactions occur during the collapse. They also play an interesting role during the supernova nucleosynthesis.