41 research outputs found
Issues with Core-Collapse Supernova Progenitor Models
The status of core collapse supernoova progenitor models is reviewed with a
focus on some of the current uncertainties arising from the difficulties of
modeling important macrophysics and microphysics. In particular, I look at
issues concerned with modeling convection, the implications of the still
uncertain 12C(alpha,gamma)16O reaction rate, the uncertainties involved with
the incorporation of mass loss, rotation, and magnetic fields in the stellar
models, and the possible generation of global instabilities in stellar models
at the late evolutionary stages.Comment: 24 pages, 3 figures, to appear in proceedings of "Open Issues in
Core-Collapse Supernovae," which was held at the National Institute for
Nuclear Theory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA, June 200
Simulation of the Spherically Symmetric Stellar Core Collapse, Bounce, and Postbounce Evolution of a 13 Solar Mass Star with Boltzmann Neutrino Transport, and Its Implications for the Supernova Mechanism
With exact three-flavor Boltzmann neutrino transport, we simulate the stellar
core collapse, bounce, and postbounce evolution of a 13 solar mass star in
spherical symmetry, the Newtonian limit, without invoking convection. In the
absence of convection, prior spherically symmetric models, which implemented
approximations to Boltzmann transport, failed to produce explosions. We are
motivated to consider exact transport to determine if these failures were due
to the transport approximations made and to answer remaining fundamental
questions in supernova theory. The model presented here is the first in a
sequence of models beginning with different progenitors. In this model, a
supernova explosion is not obtained. We discuss the ramifications of our
results for the supernova mechanism.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, Submitted to Physical Review Letter
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
Advancing Nucleosynthesis in Self-consistent, Multidimensional Models of Core-Collapse Supernovae
We investigate core-collapse supernova (CCSN) nucleosynthesis in polar
axisymmetric simulations using the multidimensional radiation hydrodynamics
code CHIMERA. Computational costs have traditionally constrained the evolution
of the nuclear composition in CCSN models to, at best, a 14-species
-network. Such a simplified network limits the ability to accurately
evolve detailed composition, neutronization and the nuclear energy generation
rate. Lagrangian tracer particles are commonly used to extend the nuclear
network evolution by incorporating more realistic networks in post-processing
nucleosynthesis calculations. Limitations such as poor spatial resolution of
the tracer particles, estimation of the expansion timescales, and determination
of the "mass-cut" at the end of the simulation impose uncertainties inherent to
this approach. We present a detailed analysis of the impact of these
uncertainties on post-processing nucleosynthesis calculations and implications
for future models.Comment: Proceedings of the 13th Symposium on Nuclei in the Cosmos. 7-11 July
2014. Debrecen, Hungar