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Rachid Ouyed

Publications and source records attributed to Rachid Ouyed.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2015

The superluminous SN DES13S2cmm as a signature of a Quark-Nova in a He-HMXB system

We show that by appealing to a Quark-Nova (the explosive transition of a neutron star to a quark star) occurring in an He-HMXB system we can account for the lightcurve of the first superluminous SN, DES13S2cmm, discovered by the Dark-Energy Survey. The neutron star's explosive conversion is triggered as a result of accretion during the He-HMXB second Common Envelope phase. The dense, relativistic, Quark-Nova ejecta in turn energizes the extended He-rich Common Envelope in an inside-out shock heating process. We find an excellent fit (reduced chi^2 of 1.09) to the bolometric light-curve of SN DES13S2cmm including the late time emission, which we attribute to Black Hole accretion following the conversion of the Quark Star to a Black hole.

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arXiv2015

Quark-Novae in massive binaries : a model for double-humped, hydrogen-poor, superluminous Supernovae

LSQ14bdq and SN 2006oz are super-luminous, hydrogen-poor, SNe with double-humped light curves. We show that a Quark-Nova (QN; explosive transition of the neutron star to a quark star) occurring in a massive binary, experiencing two Common Envelope (CE) phases, can quantitatively explain the light curves of LSQ14bdq and SN 2006oz. The more massive component (A) explodes first as a normal SN, yielding a Neutron Star which ejects the hydrogen envelope of the companion when the system enters its first CE phase. During the second CE phase, the NS spirals into and inflates the second He-rich CE. In the process it gains mass and triggers a Quark-Nova, outside of the CO core, leaving behind a Quark Star. The first hump in our model is the QN shock re-energizing the expanded He-rich CE. The QN occurs when the He-rich envelope is near maximum size (~ 1000R_sun) and imparts enough energy to unbind and eject the envelope. Subsequent merging of the Quark Star with the CO core of component B, driven by gravitational radiation, turns the Quark star to a Black Hole. The ensuing Black Hole accretion provides sufficient power for the second brighter and long lasting hump. Our model suggests a possible connection between SLSNe-I and type Ic-BL SNe which occur when the Quark Nova is triggered inside the CO core. We estimate the rate of QNe in massive binaries during the second CE phase to be ~ 5x10^(-5) of that of core-collapse SNe.

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arXiv2015

The Burn-UD code for the numerical simulations of the Hadronic-to-Quark-Matter phase transition

Burn-UD is a hydrodynamic combustion code used to model the phase transition of hadronic to quark matter with particular application to the interior of neutron stars. Burn-UD models the flame micro-physics for different equations of state (EoS) on both sides of the interface, i.e. for both the ash (up-down-strange quark phase) and the fuel (up-down quark phase). It also allows the user to explore strange quark seeding produced by different processes including DM annihilation inside neutron stars. The simulations provide a physical window to diagnose whether the combustion process will simmer quietly and slowly, lead to a transition from deflagration to detonation or a (quark) core-collapse explosion. Such an energetic phase transition (a Quark-Nova) would have consequences in high-energy astrophysics and could aid in our understanding of many still enigmatic astrophysical transients. Furthermore, having a precise understanding of the phase transition dynamics for different EoSs could aid further in constraining the nature of the non-perturbative regimes of QCD in general. We hope that Burn-UD will evolve into a platform/software to be used and shared by the QCD community exploring the phases of Quark Matter and astrophysicists working on Compact Stars.

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arXiv2015

The puzzling early detection of low velocity 56Ni decay lines in SN 2014J: Hints of a compact remnant

We show that the low-velocity 56Ni decay lines detected earlier than expected in the type Ia SN 2014J find an explanation in the Quark-Nova Ia model which involves the thermonuclear explosion of a tidally disrupted sub-Chandrasekhar White Dwarf in a tight Neutron-Star-White-Dwarf binary system. The explosion is triggered by impact from the Quark-Nova ejecta on the WD material; the Quark-Nova is the explosive transition of the Neutron star to a Quark star triggered by accretion from a CO torus (the circularized WD material). The presence of a compact remnant (the Quark Star) provides: (i) an additional energy source (spin-down power) which allows us to fit the observed light-curve including the steep early rise; (ii) a central gravitational potential which slows down some of the 56Ni produced to velocities of a few 1000 km/s. In our model, the 56Ni decay lines become optically visible at ~20 days from explosion time in agreement with observations. We list predictions that can provide important tests for our model.

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arXiv2014

HST-Scale 3D simulations of MHD disc winds : A rotating two-component jet structure

We present the results of large scale, three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamics simulations of disc-winds for different initial magnetic field configurations. The jets are followed from the source to 90 AU scale, which covers several pixels of HST images of nearby protostellar jets. Our simulations show that jets are heated along their length by many shocks. We compute the emission lines that are produced, and find excellent agreement with observations. The jet width is found to be between 20 and 30 AU while the maximum velocities perpendicular to the jet is found to be up to above 100 km/s. The initially less open magnetic field configuration simulations results in a wider, two-component jet; a cylindrically shaped outer jet surrounding a narrow and much faster, inner jet. These simulations preserve the underlying Keplerian rotation profile of the inner jet to large distances from the source. However, for the initially most open magnetic field configuration the kink mode creates a narrow corkscrew-like jet without a clear Keplerian rotation profile and even regions where we observe rotation opposite to the disc (counter-rotating). The RW Aur jet is narrow, indicating that the disc field in that case is very open meaning the jet can contain a counter-rotating component that we suggests explains why observations of rotation in this jet has given confusing results. Thus magnetized disc winds from underlying Keplerian discs can develop rotation profiles far down the jet that are not Keplerian.

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arXiv2014

Hints of a second explosion (a quark nova) in Cassiopeia A Supernova

We show that the explosive transition of the neutron star (NS) to a quark star (QS) (a Quark Nova) in Cassiopeia A (Cas A) a few days following the SN proper can account for several of the puzzling kinematic and nucleosynthetic features observed. The observed decoupling between Fe and 44Ti and the lack of Fe emission within 44Ti regions is expected in the QN model owing to the spallation of the inner SN ejecta by the relativistic QN neutrons. Our model predicts the 44Ti to be more prominent to the NW of the central compact object (CCO) than in the SE and little of it along the NE-SW jets, in agreement with NuStar observations. Other intriguing features of Cas A such as the lack of a pulsar wind nebula (PWN) and the reported a few percent drop of the CCO temperature over a period of 10 years are also addressed.

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arXiv2014

"Anti-glitches" in the Quark-Nova model for AXPs

In the Quark-Nova model, AXPs are quark stars surrounded by a degenerate iron-rich Keplerian ring (a few stellar radii away). AXP bursts are caused by accretion of chunks from the inner edge of the ring following magnetic field penetration. For bright bursts, the inner disk is prone to radiation induced warping which can tilt it into counter-rotation (i.e. retrograde). For AXP 1E2259+586, the 2002 burst satisfies the condition for the formation of a retrograde inner ring. We hypothesize the 2002 burst reversed the inner ring setting the scene for the 2012 outburst and "anti-glitch" when the retrograde inner ring was suddenly accreted leading to the basic observed properties of the 2012 event.

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arXiv2014

A resolution of the cosmic Lithium problem

In 1982, Monique and Francois Spite discovered that the 7Li abundance in the atmosphere of old metal-poor dwarf stars in the galactic halo was independent of metallicity and temperature. Since then, 7Li abundance in the Universe has become a subject of intrigue, because there is less of it in Population II dwarf stars (by a factor of 3) than standard big bang nucleosynthesis predicts. Here we show how quark-novae (QNe) occurring in the wake of Pop. III stars, can elegantly produce an A(Li) ~ 2.2 Lithium plateau in Pop. II (low-mass) stars formed in the pristine cloud swept up by the mixed SN+QN ejecta. We also find an increase in the scatter as well as an eventual drop in A(Li) below the Spite plateau values for very low metallicity ([Fe/H] < -3) in excellent agreement with observations. We propose a solution to the discrepancy between the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis 7Li abundance and the Spite plateau and list some implications and predictions of our model.

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arXiv2014

Specific predictions for SN 2014J in the context of the Quark Nova Ia model

The exact mechanism behind Type Ia supernovae (SNe-Ia) and the nature of the progenitors is poorly understood, although several theories vie for supremacy. Their secured importance to the study of cosmology necessitates a resolution to this problem. Observations of nearby SNe-Ia are therefore critical to determine which theory, if any, is the correct one. SN 2014J discovered at a relatively close 3.5 Mpc in the galaxy M82 provides such an opportunity. In this paper we give specific predictions for SN 2014J in the context of the Quark Nova Ia (QN-Ia) model. Predictions include X-ray luminosities just prior and hundreds of days after the explosion, light curve "glitches", neutrino emission, heavy element creation, and gravitational signatures.

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arXiv2013

Quark-Novae Ia in the Hubble diagram: Implications For Dark Energy

The accelerated expansion of the Universe was proposed through the use of Type-Ia SNe as standard candles. The standardization depends on an empirical correlation between the stretch/color and peak luminosity of the light curves. The use of Type Ia SN as standard candles rests on the assumption that their properties (and this correlation) do not vary with red-shift. We consider the possibility that the majority of Type-Ia SNe are in fact caused by a Quark-Nova detonation in a tight neutron-star-CO-white-dwarf binary system; a Quark-Nova Ia. The spin-down energy injected by the Quark Nova remnant (the quark star) contributes to the post-peak light curve and neatly explains the observed correlation between peak luminosity and light curve shape. We demonstrate that the parameters describing Quark-Novae Ia are NOT constant in red-shift. Simulated Quark-Nova Ia light curves provide a test of the stretch/color correlation by comparing the true distance modulus with that determined using SN light curve fitters. We determine a correction between the true and fitted distance moduli which when applied to Type-Ia SNe in the Hubble diagram recovers the Omega_M = 1 cosmology. We conclude that Type-Ia SNe observations do not necessitate the need for an accelerating expansion of the Universe (if the observed SNe-Ia are dominated by QNe-Ia) and by association the need for Dark Energy.

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arXiv2013

SN 2009ip and SN 2010mc as dual-shock Quark-Novae

In recent years a number of double-humped supernovae have been discovered. This is a feature predicted by the dual-shock Quark-Nova model where a SN explosion is followed (a few days to a few weeks later) by a Quark-Nova explosion. SN 2009ip and SN 2010mc are the best observed examples of double-humped SNe. Here, we show that the dual-shock Quark-Nova model naturally explains their lightcurves including the late time emission, which we attribute to the interaction between the mixed SN and QN ejecta and the surrounding CSM. Our model applies to any star (O-stars, LBVs, WRs etc.) provided that the SN explosion mass is ~ 20M_sun which point to the conditions for forming a Quark-Nova.

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arXiv2013

Explosive Combustion of a Neutron Star into a Quark Star: the non-premixed scenario

We review aspects of the hydrodynamical combustion of nuclear matter to strange quark matter in a neutron star. Numerical studies on non-premixed combustion that consistently include hydrodynamical flows in a reactive-diffusive setup show that in 1D, the conversion (burning) front moves at sub-sonic speeds. Although the front eventually comes to a halt (in the star's reference frame), it still has ud matter falling onto it, and so is capable of converting the rest of the star. However, in the process, we also find that neutrino cooling of the interface causes it to wrinkle, laying a platform for a deflagrative-to-detonative transition (DDT). We outline progress on improvements in the burning code (Burn-UD: http://quarknova.ucalgary.ca/software/Burn-UD/) that will ultimately reveal the mechanism that can explode the outermost layers of even a dense compact object like a neutron star.

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arXiv2012

Quark-Novae in Neutron Star-White-Dwarf Binaries: A model for luminous (spin-down powered) sub-Chandrasekhar-mass Type Ia Supernovae ?

We show that appealing to a Quark-Nova (QN) in a tight binary system containing a massive neutron star and a CO white dwarf (WD), a Type Ia explosion could occur. The QN ejecta collides with the WD driving a shock that triggers Carbon burning under degenerate conditions (the QN-Ia). The conditions in the compressed low-mass WD (M_WD < 0.9M_sun) in our model mimics those of a Chandrasekhar mass WD. The spin-down luminosity from the QN compact remnant (the quark star) provides additional power that makes the QN-Ia light-curve brighter and broader than a standard SN-Ia with similar 56Ni yield. In QNe-Ia, photometry and spectroscopy are not necessarily linked since the kinetic energy of the ejecta has a contribution from spin-down power and nuclear decay. Although QNe-Ia may not obey the Phillips relationship, their brightness and their relatively "normal looking" light-curves means they could be included in the cosmological sample. Light-curve fitters would be confused by the discrepancy between spectroscopy at peak and photometry and would correct for it by effectively brightening or dimming the QNe-Ia apparent magnitudes. Thus over- or under-estimating the true magnitude of these spin-down powered SNe-Ia. Contamination of QNe-Ia in samples of SNe-Ia used for cosmological analyses could systematically bias measurements of cosmological parameters if QNe-Ia are numerous enough at high-redshift. The strong mixing induced by spin-down wind combined with the low 56Ni yields in QNe-Ia means that these would lack a secondary maximum in the i-band despite their luminous nature. We discuss possible QNe-Ia progenitors.

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arXiv2012

A new model for the origin of very metal poor stars and their chemical composition

The genesis and chemical patterns of the metal poor stars in the galactic halo remains an open question. Current models do not seem to give a satisfactory explanation for the observed abundances of Lithium in the galactic metal-poor stars and the existence of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) and Nitrogen-enhanced metal-poor (NEMP) stars. In order to deal with some of these theoretical issues, we suggest an alternative explanation, where some of the Pop. III SNe are followed by the detonation of their neutron stars (Quark-Novae; QNe). In QNe occurring a few days to a few weeks following the preceding SN explosion, the neutron-rich relativistic QN ejecta leads to spallation of 56Ni processed in the ejecta of the preceding SN explosion and thus to "iron/metal impoverishment" of the primordial gas swept by the combined SN+QN ejecta. We show that the generation of stars formed from fragmentation of pristine clouds swept-up by the combined SN+QN ejecta acquire a metallicity with -7.5 < Fe/H] < -1.5 for dual explosions with 2 < t_delay (days) < 30. Spallation leads to the depletion of 56Ni and formation of sub-Ni elements such as Ti, V, Cr, and Mn providing a reasonable account of the trends observed in galactic halo metal-poor stars. CEMP stars form in dual explosions with short delays (t_delay < 5 days). These lead to important destruction of 56Ni (and thus to a drastic reduction of the amount of Fe in the swept up cloud) while preserving the carbon processed in the outer layers of the SN ejecta. Lithium is produced from the interaction of the neutron-rich QN ejecta with the outer (oxygen-rich) layers of the SN ejecta. A Lithium plateau with 2 < A(Li) < 2.4 can be produced in our model as well as a corresponding 6Li plateau with 6Li/7Li < 0.3.

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arXiv2012

A Spallation Model for 44Ti production in Core Collapse Supernovae

Current cc-SN models predict overproduction of 44Ti compared to observations. We present a model for an alternative channel where a cc-SN explosion is followed by a neutron star detonation (Quark Nova or QN), resulting in a spallation reaction of SN ejecta that produces 44Ti. We can achieve a 44Ti production of ~ 10^-4 Msun with our model under the right time delay between the QN and the SN. Our model also produces unique signals not found in standard, cc-SN nucleosynthesis models. Some of these unique signals include a significantly large production of 7Be and 22Na. We discuss some of these signals by analyzing the late time light curve and gamma spectroscopy of our model.

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arXiv2012

Quark Nova Signatures in Super-luminous Supernovae

Recent observational surveys have uncovered the existence of super-luminous supernovae (SLSNe). While several possible explanations have been put forth, a consensus description for SLSNe has yet to be found. In this work we study the light curves of eight SLSNe in the context of dual-shock quark novae. We find that progenitor stars in the range of 25-35 $M_{\sun}$ provide ample energy to power each light curve. An examination into the effects of varying the physical properties of a dual-shock quark nova on light curve composition is undertaken. We conclude that the wide variety of SLSN light curve morphologies can be explained predominantly by variations in the length of time between supernova and quark nova. Our analysis shows that a singular H$α$ spectral profile found in three SLSNe can be naturally described in the dual-shock quark nova scenario. Predictions of spectral signatures unique to the dual-shock quark nova are presented.

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arXiv2012

Spectral Analysis of the 13 keV Feature in XTE J1810-197: Implications for AXP Models

During 2003 and 2004 the Anomalous X-Ray Pulsar XTE J1810-197 went through a series of four bursts. The spectrum in the tail of one of these bursts shows a strong, significant emission feature ~13 keV, thereby encoding a wealth of information about the environment surrounding this object. In this paper we analyse this emission feature considering both cyclotron and atomic emission processes and weigh our findings against three leading AXP models: the Magnetar model, Fall-back disk model and the Quark nova model. We find that atomic emission from Rubidium within a Keplerian ring ($\sim$15 km from a compact object of $\sim 2M_\odot$) is the most consistent scenario with the observations, supporting the Quark nova model. Cyclotron emission from an atmosphere a few hundred meters thick also fits the feature well, but is ruled out on account of its positional coincidence in three separate AXP sources.

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