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Vikram Dwarkadas

Publications and source records attributed to Vikram Dwarkadas.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2024

A Multiwavelength Autopsy of the Interacting IIn Supernova 2020ywx: Tracing its Progenitor Mass-Loss History for 100 Years before Death

While the subclass of interacting supernovae with narrow hydrogen emission lines (SNe IIn) consists of some of the longest-lasting and brightest SNe ever discovered, their progenitors are still not well understood. Investigating SNe IIn as they emit across the electromagnetic spectrum is the most robust way to understand the progenitor evolution before the explosion. This work presents X-Ray, optical, infrared, and radio observations of the strongly interacting Type IIn SN 2020ywx covering a period $>1200$ days after discovery. Through multiwavelength modeling, we find that the progenitor of 2020ywx was losing mass at $\sim10^{-2}$--$10^{-3} \mathrm{\,M_{\odot}\,yr^{-1}}$ for at least 100 yrs pre-explosion using the circumstellar medium (CSM) speed of 120 km/s measured from our optical and NIR spectra. Despite the similar magnitude of mass loss measured in different wavelength ranges, we find discrepancies between the X-ray and optical/radio-derived mass-loss evolution, which suggest asymmetries in the CSM. Furthermore, we find evidence for dust formation due to the combination of a growing blueshift in optical emission lines and near-infrared continuum emission which we fit with blackbodies at $\sim$ 1000 K. Based on the observed elevated mass loss over more than 100 years and the configuration of the CSM inferred from the multiwavelength observations, we invoke binary interaction as the most plausible mechanism to explain the overall mass-loss evolution. SN 2020ywx is thus a case that may support the growing observational consensus that SNe IIn mass loss is explained by binary interaction.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2019

Numerical Simulations of Cosmic-Ray Acceleration at Core-Collapse Supernovae

Core-collapse supernovae exploding in dense winds are favorable sites for cosmic-ray (CR) acceleration to very high energies. We present our CR-radiation-hydrodynamics simulations of the explosion of a red supergiant. We study the evolution of the shock wave during the first day following core collapse, and estimate the time at which CR acceleration can start. We then calculate the maximum CR energy at the forward shock as a function of time, and show that it may already exceed 100 TeV only a few hours after shock breakout from the surface of the star.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2019

Smoothed Particle Inference Analysis of SNR DEM L71

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are complex, three-dimensional objects; properly accounting for this complexity when modeling the resulting X-ray emission presents quite a challenge and makes it difficult to accurately characterize the properties of the full SNR volume. We apply for the first time a novel analysis method, Smoothed Particle Inference, that can be used to study and characterize the structure, dynamics, morphology, and abundances of the entire remnant with a single analysis. We apply the method to the Type Ia supernova remnant DEM L71. We present histograms and maps showing global properties of the remnant, including temperature, abundances of various elements, abundance ratios, and ionization age. Our analysis confirms the high abundance of Fe within the ejecta of the supernova, which has led to it being typed as a Ia. We demonstrate that the results obtained via this method are consistent with results derived from numerical simulations carried out by us, as well as with previous analyses in the literature. At the same time, we show that despite its regular appearance, the temperature and other parameter maps exhibit highly irregular substructure which is not captured with typical X-ray analysis methods.

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arXiv2019

Catching Element Formation In The Act

Gamma-ray astronomy explores the most energetic photons in nature to address some of the most pressing puzzles in contemporary astrophysics. It encompasses a wide range of objects and phenomena: stars, supernovae, novae, neutron stars, stellar-mass black holes, nucleosynthesis, the interstellar medium, cosmic rays and relativistic-particle acceleration, and the evolution of galaxies. MeV gamma-rays provide a unique probe of nuclear processes in astronomy, directly measuring radioactive decay, nuclear de-excitation, and positron annihilation. The substantial information carried by gamma-ray photons allows us to see deeper into these objects, the bulk of the power is often emitted at gamma-ray energies, and radioactivity provides a natural physical clock that adds unique information. New science will be driven by time-domain population studies at gamma-ray energies. This science is enabled by next-generation gamma-ray instruments with one to two orders of magnitude better sensitivity, larger sky coverage, and faster cadence than all previous gamma-ray instruments. This transformative capability permits: (a) the accurate identification of the gamma-ray emitting objects and correlations with observations taken at other wavelengths and with other messengers; (b) construction of new gamma-ray maps of the Milky Way and other nearby galaxies where extended regions are distinguished from point sources; and (c) considerable serendipitous science of scarce events -- nearby neutron star mergers, for example. Advances in technology push the performance of new gamma-ray instruments to address a wide set of astrophysical questions.

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arXiv2018

Core collapse supernovae as Cosmic Ray sources

Core collapse supernovae (CCSNe) produce fast shocks which pervade the dense circum-stellar medium (CSM) of the stellar progenitor. Cosmic rays (CRs) if accelerated at these shocks can induce the growth of electromagnetic fluctuations in the foreshock medium. In this study, using a self-similar description of the shock evolution, we calculate the growth timescales of CR-driven instabilities. We select a sample of nearby core collapse radio supernova of type II and Ib/Ic. From radio data we infer the parameters which enter in the calculation of the instability growth times. We find that extended IIb SNe shocks can trigger fast intra day instabilities, strong magnetic field amplification and CR acceleration. In particular, the non-resonant streaming instability can contribute to about 50\% of the magnetic field intensity deduced from radio data. This results in the acceleration of CRs in the range 1-10 PeV within a few days after the shock breakout. In order to produce strong magnetic field amplification and CR acceleration a fast shocks pervading a dense CSM is necessary. In that aspect IIn supernovæ~are also good candidates. But a detailed modeling of the blast wave dynamics coupled with particle acceleration is mandatory for this class of object before providing any firm conclusions. Finally, we find that the trans-relativistic object SN 2009bb even if it produces more modest magnetic field amplification can accelerate CRs up to 2-3 PeV within 20 days after the outburst.

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arXiv2015

Hydrodynamics of Young Supernova Remnants and the Implications for their Gamma-ray emission

Supernovae (SNe) are generally classified into Type I and Type II. Most SNe (~ 80%), including all the subtypes of Type II, and Type Ib/c, arise from the core-collapse of massive stars. During their lifetime, mass-loss from these stars considerably modifies the medium around the stars. When the stars explode as SNe, the resulting shock wave will expand in this wind-modified medium. In contrast, Type Ia SNe will expand in a relatively uniform medium, but the dynamics are different from those of core-collapse SNe. For young supernova remnants, the properties of the ejecta as well as the surrounding medium are important in determining the subsequent evolution of the SN shock wave, and the dynamics and kinematics of the remnant. This will influence the acceleration of particles at the SN shocks, and consequently affect the gamma-ray emission from the remnant. Herein we discuss the expected properties, especially the density structure, of the medium around various types and sub-types of SNe, as suggested by current stellar evolution models. Using analytic and semi-analytic models and numerical simulations, we investigate how these affect the kinematics of the SN shock waves, assess the impact this would have on the production of cosmic rays, and show how it influences the time-evolution of the hadronic gamma-ray emission from the remnant. In the case of SNRs evolving in a wind medium, the emission should reach a maximum early on, and thereafter decrease with time. For SNe in a constant density medium, the emission would be expected to increase with time upto the advent of the Sedov stage.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2015

SN 2013ej - A type IIL supernova with weak signs of interaction

We present optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of supernova 2013ej. It is one of the brightest type II supernovae exploded in a nearby ($\sim 10$ Mpc) galaxy NGC 628. The light curve characteristics are similar to type II SNe, but with a relatively shorter ($ \sim85 $ day) and steeper ($ \sim1.7 $ mag (100 d)$^{-1} $ in V) plateau phase. The SN shows a large drop of 2.4 mag in V band brightness during plateau to nebular transition. The absolute ultraviolet (UV) light curves are identical to SN 2012aw, showing a similar UV plateau trend extending up to 85 days. The radioactive $^{56}$Ni mass estimated from the tail luminosity is $ 0.02 $M$_{\odot}$ which is significantly lower than typical type IIP SNe. The characteristics of spectral features and evolution of line velocities indicate that SN 2013ej is a type II event. However, light curve characteristics and some spectroscopic features provide strong support in classifying it as a type IIL event. A detailed SYNOW modelling of spectra indicates the presence of some high velocity components in H$α$ and H$β$ profiles, implying possible ejecta-CSM interaction. The nebular phase spectrum shows an unusual notch in the H$α$ emission which may indicate bipolar distribution of $^{56}$Ni. Modelling of the bolometric light curve yields a progenitor mass of $ \sim14 $M$_{\odot}$ and a radius of $ \sim450 $R$_{\odot}$, with a total explosion energy of $ \sim2.3\times10^{51} $ erg.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2014

Uncovering the Putative B-Star Binary Companion of the SN 1993J Progenitor

The Type IIb supernova (SN) 1993J is one of only a few stripped-envelope supernovae with a progenitor star identified in pre-explosion images. SN IIb models typically invoke H envelope stripping by mass transfer in a binary system. For the case of SN 1993J, the models suggest that the companion grew to 22 M_solar and became a source of ultraviolet (UV) excess. Located in M81, at a distance of only 3.6 Mpc, SN 1993J offers one of the best opportunities to detect the putative companion and test the progenitor model. Previously published near-UV spectra in 2004 showed evidence for absorption lines consistent with a hot (B2 Ia) star, but the field was crowded and dominated by flux from the SN. Here we present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) and Wide-Field Camera 3 (WFC3) observations of SN 1993J from 2012, at which point the flux from the SN had faded sufficiently to potentially measure the UV continuum properties from the putative companion. The resulting UV spectrum is consistent with contributions from both a hot B star and the SN, although we cannot rule out line-of-sight coincidences.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2014

Electron Cooling in a Young Radio Supernova: SN 2012aw

We present the radio observations and modeling of an optically bright Type II-P supernova (SN), SN 2012aw which exploded in the nearby galaxy Messier 95 (M95) at a distance of $10\ \rm Mpc$. The spectral index values calculated using $C$, $X$ & $K$ bands are smaller than the expected values for optically thin regime. During this time the optical bolometric light curve stays in the plateau phase. We interpret the low spectral index values to be a result of electron cooling. On the basis of comparison between Compton cooling timescale and Synchrotron cooling timescale we find that inverse Compton cooling process dominates over synchrotron cooling process. We therefore model the radio emission as synchrotron emission from a relativistic electron population with a high energy cutoff. The cutoff is determined by comparing the electron cooling time scale $t_{cool}$ and the acceleration time scale $\tilde t_{acc}$. We constrain the mass loss rate in the wind ($\dot M\sim 1.9\times10^{-6}\ \rm M_{\odot}yr^{-1}$) and the equipartition factor between relativistic electrons and the magnetic field ($\tilde α=ε_e/ε_B\sim 1.12\times10^2$) through our modeling of radio emission. Although the time of explosion is fairly well constrained by optical observations within about $2\ \rm days$, we explore the effect of varying the time of explosion to best fit the radio light curves. The best fit is obtained for the explosion date as 2012 March 15.3 UT.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2011

Particle Spectra from Acceleration at Forward and Reverse Shocks of Young Type Ia Supernova Remnants

We study cosmic-ray acceleration in young Type Ia Supernova Remnants (SNRs) by means of test-particle diffusive shock acceleration theory and 1-D hydrodynamical simulations of their evolution. In addition to acceleration at the forward shock, we explore the particle acceleration at the reverse shock in the presence of a possible substantial magnetic field, and consequently the impact of this acceleration on the particle spectra in the remnant. We investigate the time evolution of the spectra for various time-dependent profiles of the magnetic field in the shocked region of the remnant. We test a possible influence on particle spectra of the Alfvénic drift of scattering centers in the precursor regions of the shocks. In addition, we study the radiation spectra and morphology in a broad band from radio to gamma-rays. It is demonstrated that the reverse shock contribution to the cosmic-ray particle population of young Type Ia SNRs may be significant, modifying the spatial distribution of particles and noticeably affecting the volume-integrated particle spectra in young SNRs. In particular spectral structures may arise in test-particle calculations that are often discussed as signatures of non-linear cosmic-ray modification of shocks. Therefore, the spectrum and morphology of emission, and their time evolution, differ from pure forward-shock solutions.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2004

Validating the FLASH Code: Vortex-Dominated Flows

As a component of the Flash Center's validation program, we compare FLASH simulation results with experimental results from Los Alamos National Laboratory. The flow of interest involves the lateral interaction between a planar Ma=1.2 shock wave with a cylinder of gaseous sulfur hexafluoride (SF_6) in air, and in particular the development of primary and secondary instabilities after the passage of the shock. While the overall evolution of the flow is comparable in the simulations and experiments, small-scale features are difficult to match. We focus on the sensitivity of numerical results to simulation parameters.

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arXiv2004

The Evolution of Supernovae in the Winds of Massive Stars

We study the evolution of supernova remnants in the circumstellar medium formed by mass loss from the progenitor star. The properties of this interaction are investigated, and the specific case of a 35 $\msun$ star is studied in detail. The evolution of the SN shock wave in this case may have a bearing on other SNRs evolving in wind-blown bubbles, especially SN 1987A.

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arXiv2004

Simulation of Vortex--Dominated Flows Using the FLASH Code

We compare the results of two--dimensional simulations to experimental data obtained at Los Alamos National Laboratory in order to validate the FLASH code. FLASH is a multi--physics, block--structured adaptive mesh refinement code for studying compressible, reactive flows in various astrophysical environments. The experiment involves the lateral interaction between a planar Ma=1.2 shock wave with a cylinder of gaseous sulfur hexafluoride (SF$_6$) in air. The development of primary and secondary flow instabilities after the passage of the shock, as observed in the experiments and numerical simulations, are reviewed and compared. The sensitivity of numerical results to several simulation parameters are examined. Computed and experimentally measured velocity fields are compared. Motivation for experimental data in planes parallel to the cylinder axis is provided by a speculative three--dimensional simulation.

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arXiv1999

Instabilities and the Formation of Small-Scale Structures in Planetary Nebulae

Recent observations have revealed the presence of a variety of small-scale ``micro-structures'' in Planetary Nebulae images. I discuss numerical hydrodynamics models of planetaries and outline the formation and growth of instabilities that may be seen in these models. It is possible that these may be the forerunners of some of the observed small-scale structures.

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