Matter mixing in aspherical core-collapse supernovae: a search for possible conditions for conveying $^{56}$Ni into high velocity regions

TL;DR

This study uses two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations to identify conditions under which $^{56}$Ni can reach high velocities in aspherical core-collapse supernovae, emphasizing the importance of explosion asymmetry and initial perturbations.

Contribution

It demonstrates that specific asymmetries and perturbations in supernova explosions are crucial for conveying $^{56}$Ni into high velocity regions, advancing understanding of supernova matter mixing.

Findings

Large perturbations enable high velocity $^{56}$Ni.

Clumpy structures influence $^{56}$Ni penetration.

Aspherical, asymmetric explosions with perturbations reproduce observed $^{56}$Ni velocities.

Abstract

We perform two-dimensional axisymmetric hydrodynamic simulations of matter mixing in aspherical core-collapse supernova explosions of a 16.3 $M_{\odot}$ star with a compact hydrogen envelope. Observations of SN 1987A have provided evidence that $^{56}$Ni synthesized by explosive nucleosynthesis is mixed into fast moving matter ($\gtrsim$ 3,500 km s$^{-1}$) in the exploding star. In order to clarify the key conditions for reproducing such high velocity of $^{56}$Ni, we revisit matter mixing in aspherical core-collapse supernova explosions. Explosions are initiated artificially by injecting thermal and kinetic energies around the interface between the iron core and the silicon-rich layer. Perturbations of 5% or 30% amplitude in the radial velocities are introduced at several points in time. We found that no high velocity $^{56}$Ni can be obtained if we consider bipolar explosions with perturbations (5% amplitude) of pre-supernova origins. If large perturbations (30% amplitude) are introduced or exist due to some unknown mechanism in a later phase just before the shock wave reaches the hydrogen envelope, $^{56}$Ni with a velocity of 3,000 km s$^{-1}$ can be obtained. Aspherical explosions that are asymmetric across the equatorial plane with clumpy structures in the initial shock waves are investigated. We found that the clump sizes affect the penetration of $^{56}$Ni. Finally, we report that an aspherical explosion model that is asymmetric across the equatorial plane with multiple perturbations of pre-supernova origins can cause the penetration of $^{56}$Ni clumps into fast moving matter of 3,000 km s$^{-1}$. We show that both aspherical explosion with clumpy structures and perturbations of pre-supernova origins may be necessary to reproduce the observed high velocity of $^{56}$Ni. To confirm this, more robust three-dimensional simulations are required.