Effects of Initial Conditions on Compressible Mixing in Supernova-Relevant Laboratory Experiments

In core-collapse supernovae, strong blast waves drive interfaces susceptible to Rayleigh–Taylor (RT), Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM), and Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instabilities. In addition, perturbation growth can result from material expansion in large-scale velocity gradients behind the shock front. Laser-driven experiments are designed to produce a strongly shocked interface whose evolution is a scaled version of the unstable hydrogen–helium interface in core-collapse supernovae such as SN 1987A. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop an understanding of the effect of hydrodynamic instabilities and the resulting transition to turbulence on supernovae observables that remain as yet unexplained. This paper represents a summary of recent results from a computational study of unstable systems driven by high Mach number shock and blast waves. For planar multimode systems, compressibility effects preclude the emergence of a regime of self-similar instability growth independent of the initial conditions (ICs) by allowing for memory of the initial conditions to be retained in the mix-width at all times. With higher-dimensional blast waves, divergence restores the properties necessary for establishment of the self-similar state, but achieving it requires very high initial characteristic mode number and high Mach number for the incident blast wave. Initial conditions predicted by some recent stellar calculations are incompatible with self-similarity.     

A model of particle acceleration to high energies by multiple supernova explosions in OB associations

The possibility of cosmic-ray (CR) acceleration to energies above 10⁹ GeV per nucleus in extended Galactic OB associations is analyzed. A two-stage acceleration mechanism is justified: at the first stage, the acceleration by separate shock fronts from spatially and temporally correlated supernovae explosions takes place, and, at the second stage, the Fermi acceleration by supersonic turbulence in an extended, strongly perturbed region near the OB association takes place. We calculate the CR energy spectrum, the change in CR chemical composition with energy, and the energy dependence of the mean logarithm of atomic mass, ?lnA?, for the accelerated particles. The calculated values are compared with those observed near the break in the energy spectrum. We estimate the turbulence parameters, which allow the observed features of the energy spectrum and the CR enrichment with heavy elements to be explained.     

The cosmic rays of superhigh energies

The paper considers the generation mechanism of the relativistic particles of superhigh energies (10¹⁸ eV) in a plasma where the supersonic turbulence and the hydrodynamic shock waves occur. It is found that the conditions necessary for the formation of this turbulence are realized in supernovae shells during the period of the outburst. The estimations of the energy gain rate of the charged particles and comparison with their energy loss rate conditioned by synchrotron radiation and collisions with photons and nuclei show that in the actually determined conditions of shells in Crab and Cassiopeia nebulae, at the early stages of their expansion, acceleration surpasses deceleration. And finally, the estimations of the total number of superhigh energy particles generated during the flare are in agreement with the observed data.     

Jets launched at magnetar birth cannot be ignored

I question models for powering super energetic supernovae (SESNe) with a magnetar central engine that do not include jets that are expected to be launched by the magnetar progenitor. I show that under reasonable assumptions the outflow that is expected during the formation of a magnetar can carry an amount of energy that does not fall much below, and even surpasses, the energy that is stored in the newly born spinning neutron star (NS). The rapidly spinning NS and the strong magnetic fields attributed to magnetars require that the accreted mass onto the newly born NS possesses high specific angular momentum and strong magnetic fields. These ingredients are expected, as in many other astrophysical objects, to form collimated outflows/jets. I argue that the bipolar outflow in the pre-magnetar phase transfers a substantial amount of energy to the supernova (SN) ejecta, and it cannot be ignored in models that attribute SESNe to magnetars. I conclude that jets launched by accretion disks and accretion belts are more likely to power SESNe than magnetars are. This conclusion is compatible with the notion that jets might power all core collapse SNe (CCSNe).     

Nonlinear low frequency cut-off of the spectrum of the lower hybrid magnetospheric plasma turbulence

By solving the nonlinear equation of the magnetized plasma in the weak turbulence limit the level of the spectral energy density of the lower hybrid oscillations expanding in the plasma of the Earth's polar magnetosphere, is found. As an approximation the instability which initiates turbulence is considered in a plasma with two interpenetrating beams of nonrelativistic electrons with velocities along the geomagnetic field. The saturation of the instability is due to induced scattering of the oscillations by electrons and ions of the plasma.The spectral distribution of the lower hybrid turbulence has a maximum near the low frequency boundary.     

Estimation of energy of supernovae in large and small Magellanic clouds

Based on the theory of the radio evolution of supernova remnants and the theory of x-ray emission, we have derived an expression for the energy of supernova eruption directly in terms of the observed radio flux density and x-ray luminosity. This method is used to estimate the energy of the supernova explosions in LMC and SMC. Our calculated values fall in the range 10⁴⁹ – 10⁵¹ ergs, with the values for Type I supernovae systematically smaller than those for Type II, at about 10⁴⁹ ergs. We point out that the most likely cause for the discrepancy between the statistical and theoretical N-D relations is incompletness of data. We also point out, in the two clouds, the vast majority of large sources are still in the phase of adiabatic expansion.     

Cosmic ray scattering in compressible turbulence

We study the scattering of low-energy cosmic rays (CRs) in a turbulent, compressive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluid. We show that compressible MHD modes – fast or slow waves with wavelengths smaller than CR mean free paths induce cyclotron instability in CRs. The instability feeds the new small-scale Alfvénic wave component with wavevectors mostly along magnetic field, which is not a part of the MHD turbulence cascade. This new component gives feedback on the instability through decreasing the CR mean free path. We show that the ambient turbulence fully suppresses the instability at large scales, while wave steepening constrains the amplitude of the waves at small scales. We provide the energy spectrum of the plane-parallel Alfvénic component and calculate mean free paths of CRs as a function of their energy. We find that for the typical parameters of turbulence in the interstellar medium and in the intercluster medium the new Alfvénic component provides the scattering of the low-energy CRs that exceeds the direct resonance scattering by MHD modes. This solves the problem of insufficient scattering of low-energy CRs in the turbulent interstellar or intracluster medium that was reported in the literature.     

Turbulent transport and heating in the auroral plasma of the topside ionosphere

Using plasma parameters from a typical stormtime ionospheric energy balance model, we have investigated the effects of plasma turbulence on the auroral magnetoplasma. The turbulence is assumed to be comprised of electrostatic ion cyclotron waves. These waves have been driven to a nonthermal level by a geomagnetic field-aligned, current-driven instability. The evolution of this instability is shown to proceed in two stages and indicates an anomalous increase in field-aligned electrical resistivity and cross-field ion thermal conductivity as well as a decrease in electron thermal conductivity along the geomagnetic field. In addition, this turbulence heats ions perpendicular to the geomagnetic field and hence leads to a significant ion temperature anisotropy.     

Effect of shocks on interstellar turbulence and cosmic-ray dynamics

A theoretical model for the interstellar turbulence is developed. In this model the fluctuation spectrum is formed due to reflection of shocks, produced by supernovae, on interstellar clouds. The spectra of turbulence and the diffusion coefficient of cosmic rays are derived. It is demonstrated that local enhancements of the ionization rate by cosmic rays accelerated by supernova shocks may be responsible for fast renewal of warm ionized envelopes around cores of standard ISM clouds.     

Does the energy of type IIP supernovae depend on the stellar mass?

The oxygen density in the central zone of the ejecta of nine type IIP supernovae (SNe IIP) at the nebular phase has been determined from the [O I] 6300, 6364 Å doublet lines. In combination with the known estimates for two supernovae, the results of measurements show that the oxygen densities on day 300 are distributed in a narrow range, (2.3 ± 1) × 109 cm^?3. This result does not depend on the distance, extinction, and model assumptions. Analysis of the density distribution found leads to the conclusion that the SN IIP explosion energy increases with stellar mass.     

Shock instabilities

It is well known that adiabatic shocks in ordinary gases are stable to both tranverse and longitudinal perturbations, but this need not be true if there are significant thermal effects due to chemical reactions or cooling processes. For example, detonation waves in gases are observed to form cellular structures if the chemical reaction is sufficiently temperature sensitive and a similar instability occurs in radiative shocks in the ISM if their speed exceeds 150 km s^–1. This means that interstellar shocks will be subject to this radiative instability in many cases. The temperature sensitivity of the nuclear reactions in Type I supernovae is also such that we would expect detonation waves in these objects to have a cellular structure.     

Energization of interstellar media and cosmic ray production by jets from X-ray binaries

Drawing on recent estimates of the power of jets from X-ray binary systems as a function of X-ray luminosity, combined with improved estimates of the relevant  log( N )–log( L _X)  luminosity functions, we calculate the total energy input to the interstellar medium (ISM) from these objects. The input of kinetic energy to the ISM via jets is dominated by those of the black hole systems, in contrast to the radiative input, which is dominated by accreting neutron stars. Summing the energy input from black hole jets L _J in the Milky Way, we find that it is likely to correspond to ≥1 per cent of L _SNe, the time-averaged kinetic luminosity of supernovae, and ≥5 per cent of L _CR, the cosmic ray luminosity. Given uncertainties in jet power estimates, significantly larger contributions are possible. Furthermore, in elliptical galaxies with comparable distributions of low mass X-ray binaries, but far fewer supernovae, the ratio   L _J/ L _SNe  is likely to be larger by a factor of ∼5. We conclude that jets from X-ray binaries may be an important, distributed, source of kinetic energy for the ISM in the form of relativistic shocks, and as a result are likely to be a major source of cosmic rays.     

Latitudinal shear instability in the solar tachocline

In an attempt to explain the observed rotation profile in the solar radiative zone and the tachocline, Spiegel & Zahn proposed a model based on anisotropic turbulent angular momentum transport. Although very successful in reproducing some of the features of the solar tachocline, their model assumes without verification that the origin of the turbulence could be caused by latitudinal shear instability. This paper studies the weakly non-linear evolution of two-dimensional shear instability, in which the interaction between the global rotation profile and the Reynolds stresses can be described self-consistently. Provided that the initial rotation profile is sufficiently close to marginal stability (which is the case of the solar tachocline), the instability is shown to saturate and to relax to a marginally stable state, which differs very little from the observed rotation profile. It is therefore likely that the tachocline is in a state of marginal stability with respect to latitudinal shear instability, and shows that angular momentum transport in the tachocline is unlikely to be caused by shear-induced turbulence.     

Soliton and strong Langmuir turbulence in solar flare processes

The occurrence of modulational instability in the current sheet is investigated. Particular attention is drawn to the plasma micro-instability in this current sheet (i.e., the diffusion region) and its relation to the flare process. It is found that the solitons or strong Langmuir turbulence is likely to occur in the diffusion region under solar flare conditions in which the electric resistivity could be greatly enhanced by several orders of magnitude in this diffusion region. The result is a significant heating and stochastic acceleration of particles. Physically, the occurrence of soliton and strong Langmuir turbulence can be identified with a sudden eruption of an electric current leading to a local vacuum in which an electric potential is formed and results in the release of a huge amount of free energy. A numerical example is used to demonstrate the transition of the magnetic field, velocity, and plasma density from the outer MHD region into the diffusive (resistive) region and, then, back out again with the completion of the energy conversion process. This is all made possible by an increase of resistivity by 4–5 orders of magnitude over the classical value.     

Estimating the Role of Different Sources of Turbulent Energy in the Atmosphere of Venus

In previous publications the author considered how breaking buoyancy waves and the thermal source arising due to different absorption coefficients of solar and atmospheric radiation fluxes contributed to turbulence. In this study, the contribution to turbulence made by the dynamical source arising in consequence of convective instability of large-scale atmospheric motions is examined. Its value is estimated from experimental wind speed data for the atmosphere of Venus. The contributions of the indicated sources of turbulent energy are compared. The rate of dissipation of kinetic energy due to molecular viscosity is demonstrated to be several orders of magnitude less than the rate of dissipation necessary to maintain an invariable superrotation pattern. This is an additional argument for the permanent existence of turbulence in the atmosphere of Venus, which many authors consider doubtful. It is demonstrated why turbulence is present at the atmospheric stratification that seems to be stable.     

Non-Linear Dynamics of the Richtmyer–Meshkov Instability in Supernovae

We report analytical and numerical solutions describing the evolution of the coherent structure of bubbles and spikes in the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability in supernovae. It is shown that the dynamics of the flow is essentially non-local, and the nonlinear Richtmyer–Meshkov bubble flattens and decelerates.     

Type I supernovae as distance indicators

Type I supernovae can be used to determine the distance in three ways: (a) As standard candles. (b) Through the Baade-Wesselink method. (c) Through dynamical methods. The first on relies on the remarkable spectrophotometric homogeneity of type I supernovae. The second one on the expansion of a well-defined photosphere. The third one on the existence of specific theoretical models for SNI explosions. We critically examine these methods and we point out the items that deserve closer examination.     

Magnetic Reconnection, Turbulence, and Collisionless Shock

A short summary of recent progress in measuring and understanding turbulence during magnetic reconnection in laboratory plasmas is given. Magnetic reconnection is considered as a primary process to dissipate magnetic energy in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. A central question concerns why the observed reconnection rates are much faster than predictions made by classical theories, such as the Sweet–Parker model based on MHD with classical Spitzer resistivity. Often, the local resistivity is conjectured to be enhanced by turbulence to accelerate reconnection rates either in the context of the Sweet–Parker model or by facilitating setup of the Pestchek model. Measurements at a dedicated laboratory experiment, called MRX or Magnetic Reconnection Experiment, have indicated existence of strong electromagnetic turbulence in current sheets undergoing fast reconnection. The origin of the turbulence has been identified as right-hand polarized whistler waves, propagating obliquely to the reconnecting field, with a phase velocity comparable to the relative drift velocity. These waves are consistent with an obliquely propagating electromagnetic lower-hybrid drift instability driven by drift speeds large compared to the Alfven speed in high-beta plasmas. Interestingly, this instability may explain electromagnetic turbulence also observed in collisionless shocks, which are common in energetic astrophysical phenomena.     

Kinetic helicity decay in linearly forced turbulence

The decay of kinetic helicity is studied in numerical models of forced turbulence using either an externally imposed forcing function as an inhomogeneous term in the equations or, alternatively, a term linear in the velocity giving rise to a linear instability. The externally imposed forcing function injects energy at the largest scales, giving rise to a turbulent inertial range with nearly constant energy flux while for linearly forced turbulence the spectral energy is maximum near the dissipation wavenumber. Kinetic helicity is injected once a statistically steady state is reached, but it is found to decay on a turbulent time scale regardless of the nature of the forcing and the value of the Reynolds number (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The fate of CO white dwarfs that experience slow deflagrations

It has been suggested that the differences among the observational Type Ia supernovae (SNIa) set can be accounted for by invoking two regimes of propagation of combustion. Normal SNIa should be produced by rapid deflagrations that rapidly propagate across a white dwarf, while dim SNIa should be a consequence of a detonation issued during the contraction phase of a pulsation induced by a very slow conductive deflagration. In this paper, we explore the observational consequences of deflagrations, the properties of which are in between both behaviours. Using different laws for the flame velocity as a function of flame radius, a number of different outcomes were found, including direct explosions ejecting small quantities of ⁵⁶Ni, pulsations leading to recontraction and likely reignition of the flame, and a threshold explosion characterized by an extended gravitationally bound phase (several 10³ s), in which most of the white dwarf matter was ejected by the energy input of radioactive isotopes.
Not one of these strange supernovae has been detected up to now. Nevertheless, since they are very dim and, for nucleosynthesis reasons, very rare, their existence cannot be excluded. Furthermore, the computed light curve shows that these events mimic the behaviour of peculiar Type II supernovae (SNII), for which reasons there is always the possibility that they have been misclassified as peculiar SNII whose spectrum is lacking.