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Alexey Tolstov

Publications and source records attributed to Alexey Tolstov.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

A Model for Fast Blue Optical Transient AT2018Cow: Circumstellar Interaction of a Pulsational Pair-instability Supernova

The Fast Blue Optical Transient (FBOT) ATLAS18qqn (AT2018cow) has a light curve as bright as superluminous supernovae but rises and falls much faster. We model this light curve by circumstellar interaction of a pulsational pair-instability (PPI) supernova (SN) model based on our PPISN models studied in previous work. We focus on the 42 $M_\odot$ He star (core of a 80 $M_{\odot}$ star) which has circumstellar matter of mass 0.50 $M_\odot$. With the parameterized mass cut and the kinetic energy of explosion $E$, we perform hydrodynamical calculations of nucleosynthesis and optical light curves of PPISN models. The optical light curve of the first $\sim$ 20 days of AT2018cow is well-reproduced by the shock heating of circumstellar matter for the $42 ~M_{\odot}$ He star with $E = 5 \times 10^{51}$ erg. After day 20, the light curve is reproduced by the radioactive decay of 0.6 $M_\odot$ $^{56}$Co, which is a decay product of $^{56}$Ni in the explosion. We also examine how the light curve shape depends on the various model parameters, such as CSM structure and composition. We also discuss (1) other possible energy sources and their constraints, (2) origin of observed high-energy radiation, and (3) how our result depends on the radiative transfer codes. Based on our successful model for AT2018cow and the model for SLSN with the CSM mass as large as $20 ~M_\odot)$, we propose the working hypothesis that PPISN produces SLSNe if CSM is massive enough and FBOTs if CSM is less than $\sim 1 ~M_\odot$.

astro-ph.HE

Neutrino self-interaction and MSW effects on the supernova neutrino-process

We calculate the abundances of $^{7}$Li, $^{11}$B, $^{92}$Nb, $^{98}$Tc, $^{138}$La, and $^{180}$Ta produced by neutrino $(ν)$ induced reactions in a core-collapse supernova explosion. We consider the modification by $ν$ self-interaction ($ν$-SI) near the neutrinosphere and the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein effect in outer layers for time-dependent neutrino energy spectra. Abundances of $^{7}$Li and heavy isotopes $^{92}$Nb, $^{98}$Tc and $^{138}$La are reduced by a factor of 1.5-2.0 by the $ν$-SI. In contrast, $^{11}$B is relatively insensitive to the $ν$-SI. We find that the abundance ratio of heavy to light nucleus, $^{138}$La/$^{11}$B, is sensitive to the neutrino mass hierarchy, and the normal mass hierarchy is more likely to be consistent with the solar abundances.

astro-ph.HE

A rapidly declining transient discovered with Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam

We perform a high-cadence transient survey with Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC), which we call the Subaru HSC survey Optimized for Optical Transients (SHOOT). We conduct HSC imaging observations with time intervals of about one hour on two successive nights, and spectroscopic and photometric follow-up observations. A rapidly declining blue transient SHOOT14di at $z=0.4229$ is found in observations on two successive nights with an image subtraction technique. The rate of brightness change is $+1.28^{+0.40}_{-0.27}~{\rm mag~day^{-1}}$ ($+1.83^{+0.57}_{-0.39}~{\rm mag~day^{-1}}$) in the observer (rest) frame and the rest-frame color between $3400$ and $4400~\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}$ is $M_{\rm 3400\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}-M_{\rm 4400\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}=-0.4$. The nature of the object is investigated by comparing its peak luminosity, decline rate, and color with those of transients and variables previously observed, and those of theoretical models. None of the transients or variables share the same properties as SHOOT14di. Comparisons with theoretical models demonstrate that, while the emission from the cooling envelope of a Type IIb supernova shows a slower decline rate than SHOOT14di, and the explosion of a red supergiant star with a dense circumstellar wind shows a redder color than SHOOT14di, the shock breakout at the stellar surface of the explosion of a $25M_{\odot}$ red supergiant star with a small explosion energy of $\leq0.4\times10^{51}$ erg reproduces the multicolor light curve of SHOOT14di. This discovery shows that a high-cadence, multicolor optical transient survey at intervals of about one hour, and continuous and immediate follow-up observations, is important for studies of normal core-collapse supernovae at high redshifts.

astro-ph.HE

Light curve modeling of fast-evolving supernova KSN 2015K: explosion in circumstellar matter of Super-AGB progentor

Recent supernova searches revealed a number of fast-evolving luminous transients. We perform radiation hydrodynamic simulations of light curves of several models of supernova from super--asymptotic giant branch (super-AGB, SAGB) stars with low mass envelopes ($M_{\rm env}$ $\sim$ $0.05-1.25$ $M_{\odot}$). The differences in the light curves found among the models are used to link the observed events to the most appropriate models. In particular, we propose that KSN 2015K is an electron-capture supernova. We assume "optically" thick CSM around SAGB and the circumstellar interaction powers the peak luminosity of the light curve with a short rise time. The faint tail might be influenced by the spin-down luminosity of a newborn Crab-like pulsar. Our fits indicate an ejecta mass of $0.02-0.05$ $M_{\odot}$, a circumstellar medium (CSM) mass of $0.10-0.12$ $M_{\odot}$, a radius of the CSM photosphere $\sim$ 10$^{14}$ cm, a kinetic energy of $\sim$ 3 $\times$ 10$^{50}$ erg, a photospheric velocity $v_{\rm ph} \gtrsim 10,000$ km s$^{-1}$ and a pulsar total spin energy ($2.5-4$) $\times$ 10$^{49}$ erg.

astro-ph.HE

Observations of SN 2017ein Reveal Shock Breakout Emission and A Massive Progenitor Star for a Type Ic Supernova

We present optical and ultraviolet observations of nearby type Ic supernova SN 2017ein as well as detailed analysis of its progenitor properties from both the early-time observations and the prediscovery Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images. The optical light curves started from within one day to $\sim$275 days after explosion, and optical spectra range from $\sim$2 days to $\sim$90 days after explosion. Compared to other normal SNe Ic like SN 2007gr and SN 2013ge, \mbox{SN 2017ein} seems to have more prominent C{\footnotesize II} absorption and higher expansion velocities in early phases, suggestive of relatively lower ejecta mass. The earliest photometry obtained for \mbox{SN 2017ein} show indications of shock cooling. The best-fit obtained by including a shock cooling component gives an estimate of the envelope mass as $\sim$0.02 M$_{\odot}$ and stellar radius as 8$\pm$4 R$_{\odot}$. Examining the pre-explosion images taken with the HST WFPC2, we find that the SN position coincides with a luminous and blue point-like source, with an extinction-corrected absolute magnitude of M$_V$$\sim$$-$8.2 mag and M$_I$$\sim$$-$7.7 mag.Comparisons of the observations to the theoretical models indicate that the counterpart source was either a single WR star or a binary with whose members had high initial masses, or a young compact star cluster. To further distinguish between different scenarios requires revisiting the site of the progenitor with HST after the SN fades away.

astro-ph.HE

Type Ib/Ic supernovae: effect of nickel mixing on the early-time color evolution and implications for the progenitors

We investigate the effect of mixing of radioactive nickel ($^{56}$Ni) on the early-time color evolution of Type Ib and Ic supernovae (SNe Ib/Ic) using multi-group radiation hydrodynamics simulations. We consider both helium-rich and helium-poor progenitors. Mixing of $^{56}$Ni is parameterized using a Gaussian distribution function. We find that the early-time color evolution with a weak $^{56}$Ni mixing is characterized by three different phases: initial rapid reddening, blueward evolution due to the delayed effect of $^{56}$Ni heating, and redward evolution thereafter until the transition to the nebular phase. With a strong $^{56}$Ni mixing, the second phase disappears. We compare our models with the early-time color evolution of several SNe Ib/Ic (SN1999ex, SN 2008D, SN 2009jf, iPTF13bvn, SN 1994I, SN 2007gr, SN 2013ge, and 2017ein) and find signatures of relatively weak and strong $^{56}$Ni mixing for SNe Ib and SNe Ic, respectively. This suggests that SNe Ib progenitors are distinct from SN Ic progenitors in terms of helium content and that $^{56}$Ni mixing is generally stronger in the carbon-oxygen core and weaker in the helium-rich envelope. We conclude that the early-time color evolution is a powerful probe of $^{56}$Ni mixing in SNe Ib/Ic.

astro-ph.HE

Ultraviolet light curves of Gaia16apd in superluminous supernova models

Observations of Gaia16apd revealed extremely luminous ultraviolet emission among superluminous supernovae (SLSNe). Using radiation hydrodynamics simulations we perform a comparison of UV light curves, color temperatures and photospheric velocities between the most popular SLSN models: pair-instability supernova, magnetar and interaction with circumstellar medium. We find that the interaction model is the most promising to explain the extreme UV luminosity of Gaia16apd. The differences in late-time UV emission and in color evolution found between the models can be used to link an observed SLSN event to the most appropriate model. Observations at UV wavelengths can be used to clarify the nature of SLSNe and more attention should be paid to them in future follow-up observations.

astro-ph.HE

Pulsational Pair-Instability Model for Superluminous Supernova PTF12dam: Interaction and Radioactive Decay

Being a superluminous supernova (SLSN), PTF12dam can be explained by a $^{56}$Ni-powered model, a magnetar-powered model or an interaction model. We propose that PTF12dam is a pulsational pair instability supernova, where the outer envelope of a progenitor is ejected during the pulsations. Thus, it is powered by double energy source: radioactive decay of $^{56}$Ni and a radiative shock in a dense circumstellar medium. To describe multicolor light curves and spectra we use radiation hydrodynamics calculations of STELLA code. We found that light curves are well described in the model with 40M$_{\odot}$ ejecta and 20-40M$_{\odot}$ circumstellar medium. The ejected $^{56}$Ni mass is about 6M$_{\odot}$ which results from explosive nucleosynthesis with large explosion energy (2-3)$\cdot$10$^{52}$ ergs. In comparison with alternative scenarios of pair-instability supernova and magnetar-powered supernova, in interaction model all the observed main photometric characteristics are well reproduced: multicolor light curves, color temperatures, and photospheric velocities.

astro-ph.HE

Fast evolving pair-instability supernova models: evolution, explosion, light curves

With an increasing number of superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) discovered the question of their origin remains open and causes heated debates in the supernova community. Currently, there are three proposed mechanisms for SLSNe: (1) pair-instability supernovae (PISN), (2) magnetar-driven supernovae, and (3) models in which the supernova ejecta interacts with a circumstellar material ejected before the explosion. Based on current observations of SLSNe, the PISN origin has been disfavoured for a number of reasons. Many PISN models provide overly broad light curves and too reddened spectra, because of massive ejecta and a high amount of nickel. In the current study we re-examine PISN properties using progenitor models computed with the GENEC code. We calculate supernova explosions with FLASH and light curve evolution with the radiation hydrodynamics code STELLA. We find that high-mass models (200 and 250 solar masses) at relatively high metallicity (Z=0.001) do not retain hydrogen in the outer layers and produce relatively fast evolving PISNe Type I and might be suitable to explain some SLSNe. We also investigate uncertainties in light curve modelling due to codes, opacities, the nickel-bubble effect and progenitor structure and composition.

astro-ph.HE

Type I Superluminous Supernovae as Explosions inside Non-Hydrogen Circumstellar Envelopes

A number of Type I (hydrogenless) superluminous supernova (SLSN) events have been discovered recently. However, their nature remains debatable. One of the most promising ideas is the shock-interaction mechanism, but only simplified semi-analytical models have been applied so far. We simulate light curves for several Type I SLSN (SLSN-I) models enshrouded by dense, non-hydrogen circumstellar envelopes, using a multi-group radiation hydrodynamics code that predicts not only bolometric, but also multicolor light curves. We demonstrate that the bulk of SLSNe-I including those with relatively narrow light curves like SN 2010gx or broad ones like PTF09cnd can be explained by the interaction of the SN ejecta with he CS envelope, though the range of parameters for these models is rather wide. Moderate explosion energy ($\sim (2 - 4)\cdot 10^{51}$ ergs) is sufficient to explain both narrow and broad SLSN-I light curves, but ejected mass and envelope mass differ for those two cases. Only 5 to 10 $M_\odot$ of non-hydrogen material is needed to reproduce the light curve of SN 2010gx, while the best model for PTF09cnd is very massive: it contains almost $ 50 M_\odot $ in the CS envelope and only $ 5 M_\odot $ in the ejecta. The CS envelope for each case extends from 10 $R_\odot$ to $\sim 10^5R_\odot$ ($7\cdot 10^{15} $ cm), which is about an order of magnitude larger than typical photospheric radii of standard SNe near the maximum light. We briefly discuss possible ways to form such unusual envelopes.

astro-ph.HE

Shock wave structure in astrophysical flows with an account of photon transfer

For an accurate treatment of the shock wave propagation in high-energy astrophysical phenomena, such as supernova shock breakouts, gamma-ray bursts and accretion disks, knowledge of radiative transfer plays a crucial role. In this paper we consider one-dimensional (1D) special relativistic radiation hydrodynamics by solving the Boltzmann equation for radiative transfer. The structure of a radiative shock is calculated for a number of shock tube problems, including strong shock waves, and relativistic- and radiation-dominated cases. Calculations are performed using an iterative technique that consistently solves the equations of relativistic hydrodynamics and relativistic comoving radiative transfer. A comparison of radiative transfer solutions with the Eddington approximation and the M1 closure is made. A qualitative analysis of moment equations for radiation is performed and the conditions for the existence of jump discontinuity for non-relativistic cases are investigated numerically.

astro-ph.HE

Multicolor light curves simulations of Population III core-collapse supernovae: from shock breakout to $^{56}$Co decay

The properties of the first generation of stars and their supernova (SN) explosions remains unknown due to the lack of their actual observations. Recently many transient surveys are conducted and the feasibility of the detection of supernovae (SNe) of Pop III stars is growing. In this paper we study the multicolor light curves for a number of metal-free core-collapse SN models (25-100 M$_{\odot}$) to provide the indicators for finding and identification of first generation SNe. We use mixing-fallback supernova explosion models which explain the observed abundance patterns of metal poor stars. Numerical calculations of the multicolor light curves are performed using multigroup radiation hydrodynamic code STELLA. The calculated light curves of metal-free SNe are compared with non-zero metallicity models and several observed SNe. We have found that the shock breakout characteristics, the evolution of the photosphere's velocity, the luminosity, the duration and color evolution of the plateau - all the SN phases are helpful to estimate the parameters of SN progenitor: the mass, the radius, the explosion energy and the metallicity. We conclude that the multicolor light curves can be potentially used to identify first generation SNe in the current (Subaru/HSC) and future transient surveys (LSST, JWST). They are also suitable for identification of the low-metallicity SNe in the nearby Universe (PTF, Pan-STARRS, Gaia).

astro-ph.SR

Spectral and Polarization Properties of Photospheric Emission From Stratified Jets

We explore the spectral and polarization properties of photospheric emissions from stratified jets in which multiple components, separated by a sharp velocity shear regions, are distributed in lateral direction. Propagation of thermal photons injected at high optical depth region are calculated until they escape from the photosphere. It is found that presence of the lateral structure within the jet leads to non-thermal feature of the spectra and significant polarization signal in the resulting emission. The deviation from thermal spectra as well as the polarization degree tends to be enhanced as the velocity gradient in the shear region increases. In particular, we show that emissions from multi-component jet can reproduce the typical observed spectra of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) irrespective to the position of the observer when a velocity shear region is closely spaced in various lateral ($θ$) positions. The degree of polarization associated in the emission is significant (> few%) at wide range of observer angles and can be higher than 30%.

astro-ph.HE

Matter mixing in aspherical core-collapse supernovae: a search for possible conditions for conveying $^{56}$Ni into high velocity regions

We perform two-dimensional axisymmetric hydrodynamic simulations of matter mixing in aspherical core-collapse supernova explosions of a 16.3 $M_{\odot}$ star with a compact hydrogen envelope. Observations of SN 1987A have provided evidence that $^{56}$Ni synthesized by explosive nucleosynthesis is mixed into fast moving matter ($\gtrsim$ 3,500 km s$^{-1}$) in the exploding star. In order to clarify the key conditions for reproducing such high velocity of $^{56}$Ni, we revisit matter mixing in aspherical core-collapse supernova explosions. Explosions are initiated artificially by injecting thermal and kinetic energies around the interface between the iron core and the silicon-rich layer. Perturbations of 5% or 30% amplitude in the radial velocities are introduced at several points in time. We found that no high velocity $^{56}$Ni can be obtained if we consider bipolar explosions with perturbations (5% amplitude) of pre-supernova origins. If large perturbations (30% amplitude) are introduced or exist due to some unknown mechanism in a later phase just before the shock wave reaches the hydrogen envelope, $^{56}$Ni with a velocity of 3,000 km s$^{-1}$ can be obtained. Aspherical explosions that are asymmetric across the equatorial plane with clumpy structures in the initial shock waves are investigated. We found that the clump sizes affect the penetration of $^{56}$Ni. Finally, we report that an aspherical explosion model that is asymmetric across the equatorial plane with multiple perturbations of pre-supernova origins can cause the penetration of $^{56}$Ni clumps into fast moving matter of 3,000 km s$^{-1}$. We show that both aspherical explosion with clumpy structures and perturbations of pre-supernova origins may be necessary to reproduce the observed high velocity of $^{56}$Ni. To confirm this, more robust three-dimensional simulations are required.

astro-ph.SR