Role of medium modifications for neutrino-pair processes from nucleon-nucleon bremsstrahlung - Impact on the protoneutron star deleptonization

In this article the neutrino-pair production from nucleon-nucleon (NN) bremsstrahlung is explored via medium-modifications of the strong interactions at the level of the one-pion exchange approximation. It governs the bulk part of the NN interaction at low densities relevant for the neutrino physics in core-collapse supernova studies. The resulting medium modified one-pion exchange rate for the neutrino-pair processes is implemented in simulations of core collapse supernovae in order to study the impact on the neutrino signal emitted from the deleptonization of the nascent proto-neutron star. Consequences for the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements of the material ejected from the PNS surface are discussed.