A successful 3D core-collapse supernova explosion model

In this paper, we present the results of our three-dimensional, multigroup, multineutrino-species radiation/hydrodynamic simulation using the state-of-the-art code fornax of the terminal dynamics of the core of a non-rotating 16 M-circle dot stellar progenitor. The calculation incorporates redistribution by inelastic scattering, a correction for the effect of many-body interactions on the neutrino-nucleon scattering rates, approximate general relativity (including the effects of gravitational redshifts), velocity-dependent frequency advection, and an implementation of initial perturbations in the progenitor core. The model explodes within similar to 100 ms of bounce (near when the silicon-oxygen interface is accreted through the temporarily stalled shock) and by the end of the simulation (here, similar to 677 ms after bounce) is accumulating explosion energy at a rate of similar to 2.5 x 10(50) erg s(-1). The supernova explodes with an asymmetrical multiplume structure, with one hemisphere predominating. The gravitational mass of the residual proto-neutron star at similar to 677 ms is similar to 1.42 M-circle dot. Even at the end of the simulation, explosion in most of the solid angle is accompanied by some accretion in an annular region at the wasp-like waist of the debris field. The ejecta electron fraction (Y-e) is distributed between similar to 0.48 and similar to 0.56, with most of the ejecta mass proton-rich. This may have implications for supernova nucleosynthesis, and could have a bearing on the p- and nu p-processes and on the site of the first peak of the r-process. The ejecta spatial distributions of both Y-e and mass density are predominantly in wide-angle plumes and large-scale structures, but are nevertheless quite patchy.