Explosion mechanism of core-collapse supernovae: role of the Si/O interface

Understand

We present a simple criterion to predict the explodability of massive stars based on the density and entropy profiles before collapse.

• If a pronounced density jump is present near the Si/Si-O interface, the star will likely explode.
• We develop a quantitative criterion by using $\sim 1300$ 1D simulations where $\nu$-driven turbulence is included via time-dependent mixing-length theory.
• This criterion correctly identifies the outcome of the supernova more than $90 \%$ of the time.