Competition of Electron Capture and Beta Decay Rates in Explosive Astrophysical Scenario of Type II Supernova

Abstract

Stellar weak interaction processes play a significant role during the supernova explosion condition after collapse leading to the formation of neutron star. In dynamic events like core-collapse supernovae the high entropy wind scenario arises from considerations of the newly born proto-neutron star. Here, the late neutrinos interact with matter of the outermost neutron star layers leading to moderately neutron rich ejecta. We study the electron capture and beta decay rates of Co and Cd isotopes at various temperature and density conditions in an astrophysical environment and found that the beta decay rates are much higher than the corresponding electron capture rates at all the conditions.