SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

A. Grichener

Publications and source records attributed to A. Grichener.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

A grid of fast-rotating, chemically-homogeneous, supernova and/or long-GRB progenitors

The understanding of the mechanism(s) by which massive stars collapse and possibly explode is rapidly maturing. Uncertainties in the structure of the stellar core at the onset of collapse are often dominant in numerical simulations, and a limited number of progenitor grids are available. This is especially true for explosions where rotation and magnetic fields play a significant or primary role. We present a grid of 113 single-star models with initial masses $M_{\rm ZAMS}=30-90\,M_{\odot}$ and initial rigid rotation $\omega_{\rm ZAMS}=0.5-0.99\,\omega_{\rm crit}$ computed at $Z=0.001$ with the open-source stellar evolution code \textsc{MESA}. We adopt a 128-isotope nuclear reaction network capable of following the weak reactions deleptonizing the core during and after silicon core burning. By construction, these models experience rotationally-induced chemically-homogeneous evolution, and reach the onset of collapse ($v_{\rm infall}\lesssim -300\,\mathrm{km\ s^{-1}}$) with large and structured amounts of angular momentum, possibly sufficient to form accretion disks on a proto-compact object. Therefore, these progenitor structures provide a homogeneous set of models with updated input physics and improved algorithmic accuracy to understand stellar explosions of (some types of) stripped-envelope supernovae, possibly jetted and/or broad-lined, collapsars or magnetar-powered, and/or long $\gamma$-ray bursts.

astro-ph.HE

Population synthesis of Thorne-\.Zytkow objects: Rejuvenated donors and unexplored progenitors in the common envelope formation channel

Context. Common envelope evolution of a massive star and a neutron star companion has two possible outcomes: formation of a short-period binary (a potential gravitational wave source progenitor) or a merger of the massive star with the neutron star. If the binary merges, a structure with a neutron star core surrounded by a large diffuse envelope, a so-called Thorne-\.Zytkow object (T\.ZO), may form. The predicted appearance of this hypothetical class of star is very similar to red supergiants, making observational identification difficult. Aims. Our objective is to understand the properties of systems that are potential T\.ZO progenitors, e.g., binary systems that enter a common envelope phase with a neutron star companion. We also aim to distinguish those that have been through a previous stable mass transfer phase, which can rejuvenate the accretor. We estimate the number of T\.ZOs in the Milky Way and assess the impact of uncertainties in their formation. Methods. We use the rapid population synthesis code COMPAS at Solar metallicity and with common envelope efficiency parameter set to unity to determine the population demographics of T\.ZOs. We use one-dimensional evolutionary T\.ZO models from the literature to determine a fit for T\.ZO lifetime in order to estimate the current number of T\.ZOs in the Galaxy as well as to assess core disruption during the merger. Results. We explore the progenitors in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, calculate formation rates, and investigate kinematics of the progenitor stars. We find that the vast majority ($\approx 92\%$) of T\.ZO progenitors in our population have experienced mass transfer and become rejuvenated before their formation event. Using a constant star formation rate we estimate $\approx 2\times 10 ^{-4}$ T\.ZOs per $M_\odot$ in our Galaxy, corresponding to $\approx 5\pm 1$ T\.ZOs in the Milky Way at present.

astro-ph.SR

Progenitor with small reaction networks should not be used as initial conditions for core collapse

Core collapse initial conditions are a bottleneck in understanding the explosion mechanism(s) of massive stars. Stellar evolution codes struggle after carbon burning, and either stop or adopt numerical simplifications missing crucial physics. The use of small nuclear reaction networks (NRN) that account for energy production but bypass weak reactions is typical, but insufficient to study the dynamics of the collapse. We advise against the use of progenitors computed with small NRN in expensive multi-dimensional simulations of core collapse, bounce, (jet formation), and explosion.

astro-ph.SR