Variations in the Abundance Pattern of Extremely Metal-poor Stars and Nucleosynthesis in Population III Supernovae

We calculate nucleosynthesis in Population (Pop) III supernovae (SNe) and compare the yields with various abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars. We assume that the observed EMP stars are the second generation stars, which have the metal-abundance patterns of Pop III SNe. Previous theoretical yields of Pop III SNe cannot explain the trends in the abundance ratios among iron-peak elements (Mn, Co, Ni, Zn)/Fe as well as the large C/Fe ratio observed in certain EMP stars with [Fe/H] <~ -2.5. In the present paper, we show that if we introduce higher explosion energies and mixing-fallback in the core-collapse SN models of M ~ 20 - 130 Msun, the above abundance features of both typical and C-rich EMP stars can be much better explained. We suggest that the abundance patterns of the [Fe/H] ~ -2.5 stars correspond to supernova yields with normal explosion energies, while those of the carbon un-enhanced ([C/Fe] < 1) stars with [Fe/H] =~ -4 ~ - 3 correspond to high-energy supernova yields. The abundance patterns of the C-rich ([C/Fe]>~ 2) and low [Fe/H] (=~ -5 \~ -3.5) stars can be explained with the yields of faint SNe that eject little 56Ni as observed in SN1997D. In the supernova-induced star formation model, we can qualitatively explain why the EMP stars formed by the faint or energetic supernovae have lower [Fe/H] than the EMP stars formed by normal supernovae. We also examine how the abundance ratios among iron-peak elements depend on the electron mole fraction Ye, and conclude that a large explosion energy is still needed to realize the large Co/Fe and Zn/Fe ratios observed in typical EMP stars with [Fe/H] <~ -3.5.Comment: 33 pages, 17 figures, 7 tables, To appear in the Astrophysical Journal 2005, January 1

Evolution of Rotating Accreting White Dwarfs and the Diversity of Type Ia Supernovae

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) have relatively uniform light curves and spectral evolution, which make SNe Ia useful standard candles to determine cosmological parameters. However, the peak brightness is not completely uniform, and the origin of the diversity has not been clear. We examine whether the rotation of progenitor white dwarfs (WDs) can be the important source of the diversity of the brightness of SNe Ia. We calculate the structure of rotating WDs with an axisymmetric hydrostatic code. The diversity of the mass induced by the rotation is ~0.08 Msun and is not enough to explain the diversity of luminosity. However, we found the following relation between the initial mass of the WDs and their final state; i.e., a WD of smaller initial mass will rotate more rapidly before the supernova explosion than that of larger initial mass. This result might explain the dependence of SNe Ia on their host galaxies.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Electron-capture Supernovae of Super-AGB Stars: Sensitivity on Input Physics

Stars of M ~ 8–10 M⊙ on their main sequence form strongly electron-degenerate oxygen–neon–magnesium (ONeMg) cores and become super–asymptotic giant branch stars. If such an ONeMg core grows to 1.38 M⊙, electron captures on ²⁰Ne(e, ν_e) ²⁰F(e, ν_e) ²⁰O take place and ignite O–Ne deflagration around the center. In this work, we perform two-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of the propagation of the O–Ne flame to see whether such a flame triggers a thermonuclear explosion or induces a collapse of the ONeMg core due to subsequent electron capture behind the flame. We present a series of models to explore how the outcome depends on model parameters for a central density ranging between 10^(9.80) and 10^(10.20) g cm⁻³, flame structures of both centered and off-centered ignition kernels, special and general relativistic effects, turbulent flame speed formulae, and the treatments of laminar burning phase. We obtain bifurcation between the electron-capture induced collapse and thermonuclear explosion depending mainly on the central density. We find that the ONeMg core obtained from stellar evolutionary models has a high tendency to collapse into a neutron star. We discuss the implications of the electron-capture supernovae in chemical evolution and the possible observational signals of this class of supernovae

A binary progenitor for the type IIb supernova 2011dh in M51

We perform binary stellar evolutionary calculations following the simultaneous evolution of both stars in the system to study a potential progenitor system for the Type IIb supernova 2011dh. Pre-explosion photometry as well as light-curve modeling has provided constraints on the physical properties of the progenitor system. Here, we present a close binary system (CBS) that is compatible with such constraints. The system is formed by stars of solar composition with 16 M⊙ + 10 M⊙ on a circular orbit with an initial period of 125 days. The primary star ends its evolution as a yellow supergiant with a mass of ≈4 M⊙, a final hydrogen content of ≈(3-5) × 10-3 M⊙, and with an effective temperature and luminosity in agreement with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) pre-explosion observations of SN 2011dh. These results are nearly insensitive to the adopted accretion efficiency factor β. At the time of explosion, the companion star has an effective temperature of 22,000-40,000 K, depending on the value of β, and lies near the zero-age main sequence. Considering the uncertainties in the HST pre-SN photometry, the secondary star is only marginally detectable in the bluest observed band. CBSs, as opposed to single stars, provide a natural frame to explain the properties of SN 2011dh.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

nu-Process Nucleosynthesis in Population III Core-Collapse Supernovae

We investigate the effects of neutrino-nucleus interactions (the nu-process) on the production of iron-peak elements in Population III core-collapse supernovae. The nu-process and the following proton and neutron capture reactions produce odd-Z iron-peak elements in complete and incomplete Si burning region. This reaction sequence enhances the abundances of Sc, Mn, and Co in the supernova ejecta. The supernova explosion models of 15 M_sol and 25 M_sol stars with the nu-process well reproduce the averaged Mn/Fe ratio observed in extremely metal-poor halo stars. In order to reproduce the observed Mn/Fe ratio, the total neutrino energy in the supernovae should be 3 - 9 x 10^{53} ergs. Stronger neutrino irradiation and other production sites are necessary to reproduce the observed Sc/Fe and Co/Fe ratios, although these ratios increase by the nu-process.Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures, Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Bipolar Supernova Explosions: Nucleosynthesis & Implication on Abundances in Extremely Metal-Poor Stars

Hydrodynamics and explosive nucleosynthesis in bipolar supernova explosions are examined to account for some peculiar properties of hypernovae as well as peculiar abundance patterns of metal-poor stars. The explosion is supposed to be driven by bipolar jets which are powered by accretion onto a central remnant. We explore the features of the explosions with varying progenitors' masses and jet properties. The outcomes are different from conventional spherical models. (1) In the bipolar models, Fe-rich materials are ejected at high velocities along the jet axis, while O-rich materials occupy the central region whose density becomes very high as a consequence of continuous accretion from the side. This configuration can explain some peculiar features in the light curves and the nebular spectra of hypernovae. (2) Production of $^{56}$Ni tends to be smaller than in spherical thermal bomb models. To account for a large amount of $^{56}$Ni observed in hypernovae, the jets should be initiated when the compact remnant mass is still smaller than 2-3\msun, or the jets should be very massive and slow. (3) Ejected isotopes are distributed as follows in order of decreasing velocities: $^{64}$Zn, $^{59}$Co, $^{56}$Fe, $^{44}$Ti, and $^{4}$He at the highest velocities, $^{55}$Mn, $^{52}$Cr, $^{32}$S, and $^{28}$Si at the intermediate velocities, and $^{24}$Mg, $^{16}$O at the lowest velocities. (4) The abundance ratios (Zn, Co)/Fe are enhanced while the ratios (Mn, Cr)/Fe are suppressed. This can account for the abundance pattern of extremely metal-poor stars. These agreements between the models and observations suggest that hypernovae are driven by bipolar jets and have significantly contributed to the early Galactic chemical evolution.Comment: Accepted version, to appear in the Astrophysical Journal. Additional figures and an appendix. 58 pages including 21 figs and 9 table

Pulsational Pair-instability Supernovae. I. Pre-collapse Evolution and Pulsational Mass Ejection

We calculate the evolution of massive stars, which undergo pulsational pair-instability (PPI) when the O-rich core is formed. The evolution from the main sequence through the onset of PPI is calculated for stars with initial masses of 80–140 M_⊙ and metallicities of Z = 10⁻³−1.0 Z_⊙. Because of mass loss, Z ≤ 0.5 Z_⊙ is necessary for stars to form He cores massive enough (i.e., mass >40 M_⊙) to undergo PPI. The hydrodynamical phase of evolution from PPI through the beginning of Fe-core collapse is calculated for He cores with masses of 40−62 M_ ⊙ and Z = 0. During PPI, electron–positron pair production causes a rapid contraction of the O-rich core, which triggers explosive O-burning and a pulsation of the core. We study the mass dependence of the pulsation dynamics, thermodynamics, and nucleosynthesis. The pulsations are stronger for more massive He cores and result in a large amount of mass ejection such as 3–13 M_⊙ for 40−62 M_⊙ He cores. These He cores eventually undergo Fe-core collapse. The 64 M_⊙ He core undergoes complete disruption and becomes a pair-instability supernova. The H-free circumstellar matter ejected around these He cores is massive enough to explain the observed light curve of Type I (H-free) superluminous supernovae with circumstellar interaction. We also note that the mass ejection sets the maximum mass of black holes (BHs) to be ~50 M_⊙, which is consistent with the masses of BHs recently detected by VIRGO and aLIGO

Early ultraviolet/optical emission of the type Ib SN 2008D

We propose an alternative explanation for the post-breakout emission of SN 2008D associated with the X-ray transient 080109. Observations of this object show a very small contrast of 0.35 dex between the light-curve minimum occurring soon after the breakout, and the main luminosity peak which is due to radioactive heating of the ejecta. Hydrodynamical models show that the cooling of a shocked Wolf-Rayet star leads to a much greater difference (≳ 0.9 dex). Our proposed scenario is that of a jet produced during the explosion which deposits 56Ni-rich material in the outer layers of the ejecta. The presence of high-velocity radioactive material allows us to reproduce the complete luminosity evolution of the object. Without outer 56Ni it could be possible to reproduce the early emission purely from cooling of the shocked envelope by assuming a larger progenitor than a Wolf-Rayet star, but that would require an initial density structure significantly different from what is predicted by stellar evolution models. Analytic models of the cooling phase have been proposed reproduce the early emission of SN 2008D with an extended progenitor. However, we found that the models are valid only until 1.5 days after the explosion where only two data of SN 2008D are available. We also discuss the possibility of the interaction of the ejecta with a binary companion, based on published analytic expressions. However, the binary separation required to fit the early emission should be ≲ 3 R ⊙, which is too small for a system containing two massive stars.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica