Supernova implosion-explosion in the light of catastrophe theory

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new model for supernova explosions using catastrophe theory, suggesting simultaneous inward and outward motions during early instability, offering an alternative to the traditional collapse-expansion scenario.

Contribution

It introduces a fluid mechanics and catastrophe theory-based model showing possible simultaneous inward/outward motions in supernovae, challenging the standard two-step process.

Findings

Inward/outward motion can occur simultaneously during supernova instability.

The behavior depends on the thermodynamic ensemble (canonical vs microcanonical).

A new explanation for shock wave formation in ejecta is proposed.

Abstract

The present understanding of supernova explosion of massive stars as a two-step process, with an initial gravitational collapse toward the center of the star followed by an expansion of matter after a bouncing on the core, meets several difficulties. We show that it is not the only possible one: a simple model based on fluid mechanics, catastrophe theory, and stability properties of the equilibrium state shows that one can have also a simultaneous inward/outward motion in the early stage of the instability of the supernova described by a dynamical saddle-center bifurcation. The existence of this simultaneous inward/outward motion is sensitive to the model in such systems with long-range interactions. If a constant temperature is assumed (canonical ensemble), an overall inward motion occurs, but if one imposes with the same equation of state the constraint of energy conservation (microcanonical ensemble) there is an inward velocity field near the center of the star together with an outward velocity field in the rest of the star. We discuss the expansion stage of the remnants away from the collapsed core, and propose a new explanation for the formation of shock waves in the ejecta which differs from the usual Sedov-Taylor self-similar description.