arXiv subjects

Matthias Hempel

Publications and source records attributed to Matthias Hempel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Continuous and discontinuous realizations of first-order phase transitions

First-order phase transitions are commonly associated with a discontinuous behavior of some of the thermodynamic variables and the presence of a latent heat. In the present study it is shown that this is not necessarily the case. Using standard thermodynamics, the general characteristics of phase transitions are investigated, considering an arbitrary number of conserved particle species and coexisting phases, and an arbitrary set of state variables. It is found that there exist two different possible types of realizations of a phase transition. In the first type, one has the immediate replacement of a single phase with another one. As a consequence, some of the global extensive variables indeed behave discontinuously. In the second type, one has instead the gradual (dis-) appearance of a single phase over a range of the state variables. This leads to a continuous behavior of the (global) basic thermodynamic variables. Furthermore, in this case it is not possible to define a latent heat in a trivial manner. It is derived that the latter (former) case happens if the number of extensive state variables used is larger or equal (lower) than the number of coexisting phases. The choice of the state variables thus place a crucial role for the qualitative properties of the phase transition.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2020

PUSHing Core-Collapse Supernovae to Explosions in Spherical Symmetry II: Explodability and Global Properties

In a previously presented proof-of-principle study we established a parametrized spherically symmetric explosion method (PUSH) that can reproduce many features of core-collapse supernovae. The present paper goes beyond a specific application that is able to reproduce observational properties of SN1987A and performs a systematic study of the explosion properties for an extensive set of non-rotating, solar metallicity stellar progenitor models in the mass range from 10.8 to 120 M$_\odot$.This includes the transition from neutron stars to black holes as the final result of the collapse of massive stars, and the relation of the latter to supernovae and faint/failed supernovae. The present paper provides the basis for extended nucleosynthesis predictions in a forthcoming paper to be employed in galactic evolution models.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

PUSHing core-collapse supernovae to explosions in spherical symmetry IV: Explodability, remnant properties and nucleosynthesis yields of low metallicity stars

In this fourth paper of the series, we use the parametrized, spherically symmetric explosion method PUSH to perform a systematic study of two sets of non-rotating stellar progenitor models. Our study includes pre-explosion models with metallicities Z=0 and Z=Z$_{\odot}\times 10^{-4}$ and covers a progenitor mass range from 11 up to 75 M$_\odot$. We present and discuss the explosion properties of all models and predict remnant (neutron star or black hole) mass distributions within this approach. We also perform systematic nucleosynthesis studies and predict detailed isotopic yields as function of the progenitor mass and metallicity. We present a comparison of our nucleosynthesis results with observationally derived $^{56}$Ni ejecta from normal core-collapse supernovae and with iron-group abundances for metal-poor star HD~84937. Overall, our results for explosion energies, remnant mass distribution, $^{56}$Ni mass, and iron group yields are consistent with observations of normal CCSNe. We find that stellar progenitors at low and zero metallicity are more prone to BH formation than those at solar metallicity, which allows for the formation of BHs in the mass range observed by LIGO/VIRGO.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

Asymmetric Nuclear Light Clusters In Supernova Matter

We explore the appearance of light clusters at high densities of collapsing stellar cores. Special attention is paid to the unstable isotope H4, which was not included in previous studies. The importance of light clusters in the calculation of rates for neutrino matter interaction is discussed. The main conclusion is that thermodynamic quantities are only weakly sensitive to the chemical composition. The change in pressure and hence the direct change in collapse dynamics will be minor. But the change in neutrino heating and neutronization processes can be significant.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

PUSHing Core-Collapse Supernovae to Explosions in Spherical Symmetry III: Nucleosynthesis Yields

In a previously presented proof-of-principle study, we established a parametrized spherically symmetric explosion method (PUSH) that can reproduce many features of core-collapse supernovae for a wide range of pre-explosion models. The method is based on the neutrino-driven mechanism and follows collapse, bounce and explosion. There are two crucial aspects of our model for nucleosynthesis predictions. First, the mass cut and explosion energy emerge simultaneously from the simulation (determining, for each stellar model, the amount of Fe-group ejecta). Second, the interactions between neutrinos and matter are included consistently (setting the electron fraction of the innermost ejecta). In the present paper, we use the successful explosion models from Ebinger et al. (2018) which include two sets of pre-explosion models at solar metallicity, with combined masses between 10.8 and 120 M$_{\odot}$. We perform systematic nucleosynthesis studies and predict detailed isotopic yields. The resulting $^{56}$Ni ejecta are in overall agreement with observationally derived values from normal core-collapse supernovae. The Fe-group yields are also in agreement with derived abundances for metal-poor star HD84937. We also present a comparison of our results with observational trends in alpha element to iron ratios.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

The state of matter in simulations of core-collapse supernovae -- Reflections and recent developments

In this review article we discuss selected developments regarding the role of the equation of state (EOS) in simulations of core-collapse supernovae. There are no first-principle calculations of the state of matter under supernova conditions since a wide range of conditions is covered, in terms of density, temperature and isospin asymmetry. Instead, model EOS are commonly employed in supernova studies. These can be divided into regimes with intrinsically different degrees of freedom: heavy nuclei at low temperatures, inhomogeneous nuclear matter where light and heavy nuclei coexist together with unbound nucleons, and the transition to homogeneous matter at high densities and temperatures. In this article we discuss each of these phases with particular view on their role in supernova simulations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

A new temperature dependent hyperonic equation of state: application to rotating neutron star models and I-Q-relations

In this work we present a newly constructed equation of state (EoS) --applicable to stellar core collapse and neutron star mergers--, including the entire baryon octet. Our EoS is compatible with the main constraints from nuclear physics and, in particular, with a maximum mass for cold beta-equilibrated neutron stars of 2 solar masses in agreement with recent observations. As an application of our new EoS, we compute numerical stationary models for rapidly (rigidly) rotating hot neutron stars. We consider maximum masses of hot stars, such as proto-neutron stars or hypermassive neutron stars in the post-merger phase of binary neutron star coalescence. The universality of I-Q-relations at nonzero temperature for fast rotating models, comparing a purely nuclear EoS with its counterparts containing Lambda-hyperons or the entire baryon octet, respectively, is discussed, too. We find that the I-Q universality is broken when thermal effects become important, whatever the value of entropy gradients in our models. Thus, the use of I-Q relations for the analysis of proto-neutron stars or merger remnant data, including gravitational wave signals from the last stages of binary neutron star mergers, should be regarded with care.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

Simultaneous chiral symmetry restoration and deconfinement - Consequences for the QCD phase diagram

For studies of quark matter in astrophysical scenarios the thermodynamic bag model (tdBag) is commonly employed. Although successful, it does not account for dynamical chiral symmetry breaking (D$χ$SB) and repulsions due to the vector interaction which is crucial to explain recent observations of massive, two solar mass neutron stars. In Klähn & Fischer (2015) we developed the novel vBag quark matter model which takes these effects into account. This article extends vBag to finite temperatures and isospin asymmetry. Another particular feature of vBag is the determination of the deconfinement bag constant $B_{\rm dc}$ from a given hadronic equation of state (EoS) in order to ensure that chiral and deconfinement transitions coincide. We discuss consequences of this novel approach for the phase transition construction, the phase diagram, and implications for protoneutron stars.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

Phase transitions in dense matter

As the density of matter increases, atomic nuclei disintegrate into nucleons and, eventually, the nucleons themselves disintegrate into quarks. The phase transitions (PT's) between these phases can vary from steep first order to smooth crossovers, depending on certain conditions. First-order PT's with more than one globally conserved charge, so-called non-congruent PT's, have characteristic differences compared to congruent PT's. In this conference proceeding we discuss the non-congruence of the quark deconfinement PT at high densities and/or temperatures relevant for heavy-ion collisions, neutron stars, proto-neutron stars, supernova explosions, and compact-star mergers.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

How Well Do We Know The Supernova Equation of State?

We give an overview about equations of state (EOS) which are currently available for simulations of core-collapse supernovae and neutron star mergers. A few selected important aspects of the EOS, such as the symmetry energy, the maximum mass of neutron stars, and cluster formation, are confronted with constraints from experiments and astrophysical observations. There are just very few models which are compatible even with this very restricted set of constraints. These remaining models illustrate the uncertainty of the uniform nuclear matter EOS at high densities. In addition, at finite temperatures the medium modifications of nuclear clusters represent a conceptual challenge. In conclusion, there has been significant development in the recent years, but there is still need for further improved general purpose EOS tables.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

Multi-dimensional Core-Collapse Supernova Simulations with Neutrino Transport

We present multi-dimensional core-collapse supernova simulations using the Isotropic Diffusion Source Approximation (IDSA) for the neutrino transport and a modified potential for general relativity in two different supernova codes: FLASH and ELEPHANT. Due to the complexity of the core-collapse supernova explosion mechanism, simulations require not only high-performance computers and the exploitation of GPUs, but also sophisticated approximations to capture the essential microphysics. We demonstrate that the IDSA is an elegant and efficient neutrino radiation transfer scheme, which is portable to multiple hydrodynamics codes and fast enough to investigate long-term evolutions in two and three dimensions. Simulations with a 40 solar mass progenitor are presented in both FLASH (1D and 2D) and ELEPHANT (3D) as an extreme test condition. It is found that the black hole formation time is delayed in multiple dimensions and we argue that the strong standing accretion shock instability before black hole formation will lead to strong gravitational waves.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

PUSHing Core-Collapse Supernovae to Explosions in Spherical Symmetry: Nucleosynthesis Yields

Core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) are the extremely energetic deaths of massive stars. They play a vital role in the synthesis and dissemination of many heavy elements in the universe. In the past, CCSN nucleosynthesis calculations have relied on artificial explosion methods that do not adequately capture the physics of the innermost layers of the star. The PUSH method, calibrated against SN1987A, utilizes the energy of heavy-flavor neutrinos emitted by the proto-neutron star (PNS) to trigger parametrized explosions. This makes it possible to follow the consistent evolution of the PNS and to ensure a more accurate treatment of the electron fraction of the ejecta. Here, we present the Iron group nucleosynthesis results for core-collapse supernovae, exploded with PUSH, for two different progenitor series. Comparisons of the calculated yields to observational metal-poor star data are also presented. Nucleosynthesis yields will be calculated for all elements and over a wide range of progenitor masses. These yields can be immensely useful for models of galactic chemical evolution.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

Towards generating a new supernova equation of state: A systematic analysis of cold hybrid stars

The hadron-quark phase transition in core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) has the potential to trigger explosions in otherwise nonexploding models. However, those hybrid supernova equations of state (EOS) shown to trigger an explosion do not support the observational 2 M$_\odot$ neutron star maximum mass constraint. In this work, we analyze cold hybrid stars by the means of a systematic parameter scan for the phase transition properties, with the aim to develop a new hybrid supernova EOS. The hadronic phase is described with the state-of-the-art supernova EOS HS(DD2), and quark matter by an EOS with a constant speed of sound (CSS) of $c_{QM}^2=1/3$. We find promising cases which meet the 2 M$_\odot$ criterion and are interesting for CCSN explosions. We show that the very simple CSS EOS is transferable into the well-known thermodynamic bag model, important for future application in CCSN simulations. In the second part, the occurrence of reconfinement and multiple phase transitions is discussed. In the last part, the influence of hyperons in our parameter scan is studied. Including hyperons no change in the general behavior is found, except for overall lower maximum masses. In both cases (with and without hyperons) we find that quark matter with $c_{QM}^2=1/3$ can increase the maximum mass only if reconfinement is suppressed or if quark matter is absolutely stable.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

Hot third family of compact stars and the possibility of core-collapse supernova explosions

A phase transition to quark matter can lead to interesting phenomenological consequences in core-collapse supernovae, e.g., triggering an explosion in spherically symmetric models. However, until now this explosion mechanism was only shown to be working for equations of state that are in contradiction with recent pulsar mass measurements. Here, we identify that this explosion mechanism is related to the existence of a third family of compact stars. For the equations of state investigated, the third family is only pronounced in the hot, early stages of the protocompact star and absent or negligibly small at zero temperature and thus represents a novel kind of third family. This interesting behavior is a result of unusual thermal properties induced by the phase transition, e.g., characterized by a decrease of temperature with increasing density for isentropes, and can be related to a negative slope of the phase transition line in the temperature-pressure phase diagram.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2016

Explosion Dynamics of Parametrized Spherically Symmetric Core-Collapse Supernova Simulations

We report on a method, PUSH, for triggering core-collapse supernova (CCSN) explosions of massive stars in spherical symmetry. This method provides a framework to study many important aspects of core collapse supernovae: the effects of the shock passage through the star, explosive supernova nucleosynthesis and the progenitor-remnant connection. Here we give an overview of the method, compare the results to multi-dimensional simulations and investigate the effects of the progenitor and the equation of state on black hole formation.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Consequences of simultaneous chiral symmetry breaking and deconfinement for the isospin symmetric phase diagram

The thermodynamic bag model (tdBag) has been applied widely to model quark matter properties in both heavy-ion and astrophysics communities. Several fundamental physics aspects are missing in tdBag, e.g., dynamical chiral symmetry breaking (D$χ$SB) and repulsions due to the vector interaction are both included explicitly in the novel vBag quark matter model of Klähn and Fischer (2015) (Astrophys. J. 810, 134 (2015)). An important feature of vBag is the simultaneous D$χ$SB and deconfinement, where the latter links vBag to a given hadronic model for the construction of the phase transition. In this article we discuss the extension to finite temperatures and the resulting phase diagram for the isospin symmetric medium.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2015

Noncongruence of phase transitions in strongly interacting matter

First-order phase transitions (PTs) with more than one globally conserved charge, so-called noncongruent PTs, have characteristic differences compared to congruent PTs (e.g., dimensionality of phase diagrams and location of critical points and endpoints). Here we discuss the noncongruent features of the QCD PT and compare it with the nuclear liquid-gas (LG) PT, for symmetric and asymmetric matter in heavy-ion collisions and neutron stars. In addition, we have identified a principle difference between the LG and the QCD PT: they have opposite slopes in the pressure-temperature plane.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2015

Two-Dimensional Core-Collapse Supernova Simulations with the Isotropic Diffusion Source Approximation for Neutrino Transport

The neutrino mechanism of core-collapse supernova is investigated via non-relativistic, two-dimensional (2D), neutrino radiation-hydrodynamic simulations. For the transport of electron flavor neutrinos, we use the interaction rates defined by Bruenn (1985) and the isotropic diffusion source approximation (IDSA) scheme, which decomposes the transported particles into trapped particle and streaming particle components. Heavy neutrinos are described by a leakage scheme. Unlike the "ray-by-ray" approach in some other multi-dimensional supernova models, we use cylindrical coordinates and solve the trapped particle component in multiple dimensions, improving the proto-neutron star resolution and the neutrino transport in angular and temporal directions. We provide an IDSA verification by performing 1D and 2D simulations with 15 and 20 $M_\odot$ progenitors from Woosley et al.~(2007) and discuss the difference of our IDSA results with those existing in the literature. Additionally, we perform Newtonian 1D and 2D simulations from prebounce core collapse to several hundred milliseconds postbounce with 11, 15, 21, and 27 $M_\odot$ progenitors from Woosley et al.~(2002) with the HS(DD2) equation of state. General relativistic effects are neglected. We obtain robust explosions with diagnostic energies $E_{\rm dig} \gtrsim 0.1- 0.5$~B for all considered 2D models within approximately $100-300$ milliseconds after bounce and find that explosions are mostly dominated by the neutrino-driven convection, although standing accretion shock instabilities are observed as well. We also find that the level of electron deleptonization during collapse dramatically affect the postbounce evolution, e.g.~the ignorance of neutrino-electron scattering during collapse will lead to a stronger explosion.

astro-ph.HE↗