Revival of the fittest: exploding core-collapse supernovae from 12 to 25 M$_☉$

Abstract

We present results of 2D axisymmetric core-collapse supernova simulations, employing theFORNAXcode, of nine progenitor models spanning 12 to 25 M . Four of the models ex-plode with inelastic scattering off electrons and neutrons as well as the many-body correc-tion to neutrino-nucleon scattering opacities. We show that these four models feature sharpSi–O interfaces in their density profiles, and that the corresponding dip in density reduces theaccretion rate around the stalled shock and prompts explosion. The non-exploding models lacksuch a steep feature, highlighting the Si–O interface as one key to explosion. Furthermore, weshow that all of the non-exploding models can be nudged to explosion with modest changesto macrophysical inputs, including moderate rotation and perturbations to infall velocities, aswell as to microphysical inputs, including reasonable changes to neutrino-nucleon interactionrates, suggesting that all the models are perhaps close to criticality. Exploding models haveenergies of a few×1050erg at the end of our simulation, and are rising, emphasizing theneed to continue these simulations over larger grids and for longer times to reproduce theenergies seen in nature. Morphology of the explosion contributes to the explosion energy, withmore isotropic ejecta producing larger explosion energies. We do not find evidence for theLepton-number Emission Self-sustained Asymmetry. Finally, we look at proto-neutron star(PNS) properties and explore the role of dimension in our simulations. We find that convectionin the PNS produces larger PNS radii as well as greater ‘νμ’ luminosities in 2D compared to1D.