Thermodynamics of a system of leptons,photons and interacting nucleons

The thermodynamics of matter composed of interacting nucleons with an admixutre of leptons and photons is investigated in the density-temperature region relevant to the problem of supernova explosion. A quantum mechanical calculation is carried out using Skyrme effective interaction between nucleons. The equation of state is shown to soften below the nuclear density and suddenly stiffen in the transnuclear density region, a condition which is suitable for producing a strong bounce shock that is needed for effective supernova explosion and leaving a remnant neutron star behind.