An Analytic Threshold for LESA-Driven Negative ELN Flux Directions in Core-Collapse Supernovae: Derivation and Population Census
Abstract
In core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe), deleptonization normally favors over emission. However, lepton-number emission self-sustained asymmetry (LESA) can make the energy-integrated emitted lepton-number flux negative along some directions. We derive a simple diagnostic for this transition and test it in 33 independent 3D CCSN simulations: 25 Princeton/Fornax models (--) and 8 Garching models, including non-, slow-, and fast-rotating cases. Of 23 non-black-hole-forming Princeton models, 22 cross the threshold, with median onset , IQR --, and cross-model scatter . Full-sky flux-sign searches show that the threshold identifies the anti-LESA-pole transition, distinguishing the global LESA-driven crossing from early localized turbulent crossings. The fast-rotating Garching model, where rapid rotation suppresses the LESA dipole, is correctly classified as a non-crosser without using any rotation parameter. Both black-hole-forming Princeton models cross near post-bounce and remain above threshold for and before collapse. Thus, in the next nearby CCSN, the emitted energy flux may exceed the flux along some lines of sight. Such directions may also correlate with sustained fast flavor instability, although testing this requires local phase-space distributions or dedicated linear stability analysis. The relevant quantity here is the energy-integrated emitted flux field, i.e. a luminosity difference per steradian, not a neutrino number flux.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2604.21081,
title = {An Analytic Threshold for LESA-Driven Negative ELN Flux Directions in Core-Collapse Supernovae: Derivation and Population Census},
author = {Nicolás Viaux and Lucas Johns},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2604.21081},
year = {2026}
}