Magnetorotational explosions of core-collapse supernovae

TL;DR

This paper presents 2-D MHD simulations demonstrating how rotation and magnetic fields in core-collapse supernovae lead to magnetorotational explosions, with magnetic instabilities playing a key role in shock formation.

Contribution

The study introduces detailed 2-D MHD simulation results showing the role of magnetic fields and instabilities in supernova explosions driven by rotation.

Findings

Magnetic energy grows linearly due to differential rotation.

Magneto-rotational instability accelerates magnetic energy growth.

Fast MHD shock produces supernova explosion with possible jet formation.

Abstract

Core-collapse supernovae are accompanied by formation of neutron stars. The gravitation energy is transformed into the energy of the explosion, observed as SN II, SN Ib,c type supernovae. We present results of 2-D MHD simulations, where the source of energy is rotation, and magnetic field serves as a "transition belt" for the transformation of the rotation energy into the energy of the explosion. The toroidal part of the magnetic energy initially grows linearly with time due to differential rotation. When the twisted toroidal component strongly exceeds the poloidal field, magneto-rotational instability develops, leading to a drastic acceleration in the growth of magnetic energy. Finally, a fast MHD shock is formed, producing a supernova explosion. Mildly collimated jet is produced for dipole-like type of the initial field. At very high initial magnetic field no MRI development was found.