Neutrino-nucleus interactions in core collapse supernovae

The most important nuclear interaction to the dynamics of stellar core collapse is electron capture. It has recently been re-discovered that electron captures on heavy nuclei (masses larger than 60) dominates electron capture on free protons. In prior simulations of core collapse, electron capture on these nuclei has been treated in a highly parameterized fashion, if not ignored. Advances in nuclear structure theory have allowed a more realistic treatment to be developed. With this new treatment of electron capture on heavy nuclei come significant changes in the hydrodynamics of core collapse and bounce. In this article we will review this recent work and the future prospects to better understand the importance of weak nuclear interactions to the mechanism of core collapse supernovae.