The Nucleosynthesis of the Light Elements C to Al by Core Collapse Supernovae

Abstract

We discuss the production sites of the nuclei from C to Al in solar metallicity stars in the range 13–35 M_⊙. We will show how, contrary to current beliefs, the advanced burning phases and the passage of the blast wave play a pivotal role in determining the final yields of quite a few ‘light’ nuclei. We will also show how the relative contributions of the hydrostatic and explosive burning depend on the initial mass of the star: the smaller the mass the larger the importance of the explosive burning.