Rayleigh-taylor overturn in supernova core collapse

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/158951· OSTI ID:6184852

Smarr, L; Wilson, J R; Barton, R T; Bowers, R L

We perform a two dimensional radiation diffusion coupled to hydrodynamics calculation of nonspherical instabilities in the collapsed core from a massive star. The core properties are taken from a one dimensional collapse calculated with detailed microphysics and neutrino transport. The shocked outer core (0.7 M/sub sun/< or approx. =M(r)1.3 M/sub sun/) is found to contain three subregions. The innermost is doubly diffusive (''neutron fingers'') unstable, the center subregion is dynamically unstable, and the outermost is stable. We find that the unstable part of the outer core overturns in approx.5 ms without disturbing the inner unshocked core of M< or approx. =0.7 M/sub sun/. This overturned outer core expands as a piston, creating an outgoing shock wave which may help power envelope ejection. This outer core overturn would seem to be a generic feature of core collapse which has heretofore been neglected.

• Research Organization: Department of Astronomy, University of Illinois
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6184852
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 246:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology-- Stars &amp; Quasi-Stellar
Radio &amp; X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CONVECTION
DIFFUSION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
FERMIONS
FLUID MECHANICS
GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
LEPTONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
NEUTRINOS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
SHOCK WAVES
STAR MODELS
STARS
SUPERNOVAE
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
VARIABLE STARS