Ultraviolet light curves of Gaia16apd in superluminous supernova models

TL;DR

This study compares different superluminous supernova models to explain Gaia16apd's extreme UV brightness, finding the interaction model most consistent with observations and emphasizing the importance of UV data for understanding SLSNe.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of SLSN models using radiation hydrodynamics simulations, highlighting the interaction model as the best explanation for Gaia16apd's UV emission.

Findings

Interaction model best explains Gaia16apd's UV luminosity

Late-time UV emission differs among models

UV observations are crucial for SLSN classification

Abstract

Observations of Gaia16apd revealed extremely luminous ultraviolet emission among superluminous supernovae (SLSNe). Using radiation hydrodynamics simulations we perform a comparison of UV light curves, color temperatures and photospheric velocities between the most popular SLSN models: pair-instability supernova, magnetar and interaction with circumstellar medium. We find that the interaction model is the most promising to explain the extreme UV luminosity of Gaia16apd. The differences in late-time UV emission and in color evolution found between the models can be used to link an observed SLSN event to the most appropriate model. Observations at UV wavelengths can be used to clarify the nature of SLSNe and more attention should be paid to them in future follow-up observations.