Late Jets, Early Sparks: Illuminating the Premaximum Bumps in Superluminous Supernovae

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Gottlieb, Ore, Metzger, Brian D.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Gottlieb, Ore
Metzger, Brian D.
author_facet Gottlieb, Ore
Metzger, Brian D.
contents Superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) radiate $\gtrsim 10-100$ times more energy than ordinary stellar explosions, implicating a novel power source behind these enigmatic events. One frequently discussed source, particularly for hydrogen-poor (Type I) SLSNe, is a central engine such as a millisecond magnetar or accreting black hole. Both black hole and magnetar engines are expected to channel a fraction of their luminosity into a collimated relativistic jet. Using 3D relativistic hydrodynamical simulations, we explore the interaction of a relativistic jet, endowed with a luminosity $L_{\rm j}\approx10^{45.5}\,{\rm erg\,s^{-1}}$ and duration $t_{\rm eng} \approx 10\,{\rm days}$ compatible with those needed to power SLSNe, launched into the envelope of the exploding star. The jet successfully breaks through the expanding ejecta, and its shocked cocoon powers ultraviolet/optical emission lasting several days after the explosion and reaching a peak luminosity $\gtrsim 10^{44}\,{\rm erg\,s^{-1}} $, corresponding to a sizable fraction of $L_{\rm j}$. This high radiative efficiency is the result of the modest adiabatic losses the cocoon experiences owing to the low optical depths of the enlarged ejecta at these late times, e.g., compared to the more compact stars in gamma-ray bursts. The luminosity and temperature of the cocoon emission match those of the ``bumps'' in SLSN light curves observed weeks prior to the optical maximum in many SLSNe. Confirmation of jet breakout signatures by future observations (e.g., days-long to weeks-long internal X-ray emission from the jet for on-axis observers, spectroscopy confirming large photosphere velocities $v/c \gtrsim 0.1$, or detection of a radio afterglow) would offer strong evidence for central engines powering SLSNe.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2407_20348
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Late Jets, Early Sparks: Illuminating the Premaximum Bumps in Superluminous Supernovae
Gottlieb, Ore
Metzger, Brian D.
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) radiate $\gtrsim 10-100$ times more energy than ordinary stellar explosions, implicating a novel power source behind these enigmatic events. One frequently discussed source, particularly for hydrogen-poor (Type I) SLSNe, is a central engine such as a millisecond magnetar or accreting black hole. Both black hole and magnetar engines are expected to channel a fraction of their luminosity into a collimated relativistic jet. Using 3D relativistic hydrodynamical simulations, we explore the interaction of a relativistic jet, endowed with a luminosity $L_{\rm j}\approx10^{45.5}\,{\rm erg\,s^{-1}}$ and duration $t_{\rm eng} \approx 10\,{\rm days}$ compatible with those needed to power SLSNe, launched into the envelope of the exploding star. The jet successfully breaks through the expanding ejecta, and its shocked cocoon powers ultraviolet/optical emission lasting several days after the explosion and reaching a peak luminosity $\gtrsim 10^{44}\,{\rm erg\,s^{-1}} $, corresponding to a sizable fraction of $L_{\rm j}$. This high radiative efficiency is the result of the modest adiabatic losses the cocoon experiences owing to the low optical depths of the enlarged ejecta at these late times, e.g., compared to the more compact stars in gamma-ray bursts. The luminosity and temperature of the cocoon emission match those of the ``bumps'' in SLSN light curves observed weeks prior to the optical maximum in many SLSNe. Confirmation of jet breakout signatures by future observations (e.g., days-long to weeks-long internal X-ray emission from the jet for on-axis observers, spectroscopy confirming large photosphere velocities $v/c \gtrsim 0.1$, or detection of a radio afterglow) would offer strong evidence for central engines powering SLSNe.
title Late Jets, Early Sparks: Illuminating the Premaximum Bumps in Superluminous Supernovae
topic High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.20348