229 research outputs found
2D and 3D Core-Collapse Supernovae Simulation Results Obtained with the CHIMERA Code
Much progress in realistic modeling of core-collapse supernovae has occurred
recently through the availability of multi-teraflop machines and the increasing
sophistication of supernova codes. These improvements are enabling simulations
with enough realism that the explosion mechanism, long a mystery, may soon be
delineated. We briefly describe the CHIMERA code, a supernova code we have
developed to simulate core-collapse supernovae in 1, 2, and 3 spatial
dimensions. We then describe the results of an ongoing suite of 2D simulations
initiated from a 12, 15, 20, and 25 solar mass progenitor. These have all
exhibited explosions and are currently in the expanding phase with the shock at
between 5,000 and 20,000 km. We also briefly describe an ongoing simulation in
3 spatial dimensions initiated from the 15 solar mass progenitor.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Ascertaining the Core Collapse Supernova Mechanism: An Emerging Picture?
Here we present the results from two sets of simulations, in two and three
spatial dimensions. In two dimensions, the simulations include multifrequency
flux-limited diffusion neutrino transport in the "ray-by-ray-plus"
approximation, two-dimensional self gravity in the Newtonian limit, and nuclear
burning through a 14-isotope alpha network. The three-dimensional simulations
are model simulations constructed to reflect the post stellar core bounce
conditions during neutrino shock reheating at the onset of explosion. They are
hydrodynamics-only models that focus on critical aspects of the shock stability
and dynamics and their impact on the supernova mechanism and explosion. In two
dimensions, we obtain explosions (although in one case weak) for two
progenitors (11 and 15 Solar mass models). Moreover, in both cases the
explosion is initiated when the inner edge of the oxygen layer accretes through
the shock. Thus, the shock is not revived while in the iron core, as previously
discussed in the literature. The three-dimensional studies of the development
of the stationary accretion shock instability (SASI) demonstrate the
fundamentally new dynamics allowed when simulations are performed in three
spatial dimensions. The predominant l=1 SASI mode gives way to a stable m=1
mode, which in turn has significant ramifications for the distribution of
angular momentum in the region between the shock and proto-neutron star and,
ultimately, for the spin of the remnant neutron star. Moreover, the
three-dimensional simulations make clear, given the increased number of degrees
of freedom, that two-dimensional models are severely limited by artificially
imposed symmetries.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure
Modeling core collapse supernovae in 2 and 3 dimensions with spectral neutrino transport
The overwhelming evidence that the core collapse supernova mechanism is
inherently multidimensional, the complexity of the physical processes involved,
and the increasing evidence from simulations that the explosion is marginal
presents great computational challenges for the realistic modeling of this
event, particularly in 3 spatial dimensions. We have developed a code which is
scalable to computations in 3 dimensions which couples PPM Lagrangian with
remap hydrodynamics [1], multigroup, flux-limited diffusion neutrino transport
[2], with many improvements), and a nuclear network [3]. The neutrino transport
is performed in a ray-by-ray plus approximation wherein all the lateral effects
of neutrinos are included (e.g., pressure, velocity corrections, advection)
except the transport. A moving radial grid option permits the evolution to be
carried out from initial core collapse with only modest demands on the number
of radial zones. The inner part of the core is evolved after collapse along
with the rest of the core and mantle by subcycling the lateral evolution near
the center as demanded by the small Courant times. We present results of 2-D
simulations of a symmetric and an asymmetric collapse of both a 15 and an 11 M
progenitor. In each of these simulations we have discovered that once the
oxygen rich material reaches the shock there is a synergistic interplay between
the reduced ram pressure, the energy released by the burning of the shock
heated oxygen rich material, and the neutrino energy deposition which leads to
a revival of the shock and an explosion.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure
Gravitational Waves from Core Collapse Supernovae
We present the gravitational wave signatures for a suite of axisymmetric core
collapse supernova models with progenitors masses between 12 and 25 solar
masses. These models are distinguished by the fact they explode and contain
essential physics (in particular, multi-frequency neutrino transport and
general relativity) needed for a more realistic description. Thus, we are able
to compute complete waveforms (i.e., through explosion) based on
non-parameterized, first-principles models. This is essential if the waveform
amplitudes and time scales are to be computed more precisely. Fourier
decomposition shows that the gravitational wave signals we predict should be
observable by AdvLIGO across the range of progenitors considered here. The
fundamental limitation of these models is in their imposition of axisymmetry.
Further progress will require counterpart three-dimensional models.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure
Neutrino-driven supernovae: Boltzmann neutrino transport and the explosion mechanism
Core-collapse supernovae are, despite their spectacular visual display,
neutrino events. Virtually all of the 10^53 ergs of gravitational binding
energy released in the formation of the nascent neutron star is carried away in
the form of neutrinos and antineutrinos of all three flavors, and these
neutrinos are primarily responsible for powering the explosion. This mechanism
depends sensitively on the neutrino transport between the neutrinospheres and
the shock. In light of this, we have performed a comparison of multigroup
Boltzmann neutrino transport (MGBT) and multigroup flux-limited diffusion
(MGFLD) in post-core bounce environments. Differences in the mean inverse flux
factors, luminosities, and RMS energies translate to heating rates that are up
to 2 times larger for Boltzmann transport, with net cooling rates below the
gain radius that are typically 0.8 times the MGFLD rates. These differences are
greatest at earlier postbounce times for a given progenitor mass, and for a
given postbounce time, greater for greater progenitor mass. The increased
differences with increased progenitor mass suggest that the net heating
enhancement from MGBT is potentially robust and self-regulated.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, 1 table; LaTex using iopconf.sty; To appear in:
Proceedings of The Second Oak Ridge Symposium on Atomic & Nuclear
Astrophysic
Neutrino Trapping in a Supernova and Ion Screening
Neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering is reduced in dense matter because of
correlations between ions. The static structure factor for a plasma of
electrons and ions is calculated from Monte Carlo simulations and parameterized
with a least squares fit. Our results imply a large increase in the neutrino
mean free path. This strongly limits the trapping of neutrinos in a supernova
by coherent neutral current interactions.Comment: 9 pages, 1 postscript figure using epsf.st
The Role of Collective Neutrino Flavor Oscillations in Core-Collapse Supernova Shock Revival
We explore the effects of collective neutrino flavor oscillations due to
neutrino-neutrino interactions on the neutrino heating behind a stalled
core-collapse supernova shock. We carry out axisymmetric (2D)
radiation-hydrodynamic core-collapse supernova simulations, tracking the first
400 ms of the post-core-bounce evolution in 11.2 solar mass and 15 solar mass
progenitor stars. Using inputs from these 2D simulations, we perform neutrino
flavor oscillation calculations in multi-energy single-angle and multi-angle
single-energy approximations. Our results show that flavor conversions do not
set in until close to or outside the stalled shock, enhancing heating by not
more than a few percent in the most optimistic case. Consequently, we conclude
that the postbounce pre-explosion dynamics of standard core-collapse supernovae
remains unaffected by neutrino oscillations. Multi-angle effects in regions of
high electron density can further inhibit collective oscillations,
strengthening our conclusion.Comment: v2: Added multi-angle calculations. Conclusions unchanged. 16 pages,
7 figures. Accepted to Phys. Rev. D after revisions: 15 Sept 2011 (major), 24
Jan 2012 (minor
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