Parameterizing the Supernova Engine and its Effects on Remnants and Basic Yields

TL;DR

This paper explores how different parameterizations of the supernova engine affect the predicted remnant masses and yields, highlighting significant variability even with limited models.

Contribution

It introduces a broad parameterization approach to quantify uncertainties in supernova outcomes and compares results across different studies.

Findings

Remnant masses vary widely with engine parameters.

Nucleosynthetic yields are highly sensitive to engine assumptions.

Uncertainties can be constrained with broader parameterization.

Abstract

Core-collapse supernova science is now entering an era where engine models are beginning to make both qualitative and quantitative predictions. Although the evidence in support of the convective engine for core-collapse supernova continues to grow, it is difficult to place quantitative constraints on this engine. Some studies have made specific predictions for the remnant distribution from the convective engine, but the results differ between different groups. Here we use a broad parameterization for the supernova engine to understand the differences between distinct studies. With this broader set of models, we place error bars on the remnant mass and basic yields from the uncertainties in the explosive engine. We find that, even with only 3 progenitors and a narrow range of explosion energies, we can produce a wide range of remnant masses and nucleosynthetic yields.