Physics of Superluminous Supernovae

TL;DR

Superluminous supernovae, a recently discovered class of extremely bright stellar explosions, challenge existing models of star death and offer insights into the death of massive stars and potential applications in cosmology.

Contribution

This paper reviews the latest theoretical models of superluminous supernovae, highlighting new understanding and challenges in the physics of these extraordinary explosions.

Findings

Superluminous supernovae are linked to the death of very massive stars.

They are powered by radioactive isotopes or compact objects.

Recent models explain their extreme brightness and diversity.

Abstract

Understanding how massive stars die as supernovae is a crucial question in modern astrophysics. Supernovae are powerful stellar explosions and key drivers in the cosmic baryonic cycles by injecting their explosion energy and heavy elements to the interstellar medium that forms new stars. After decades of effort, astrophysicists have built up a stand model for the explosion mechanism of massive stars. However, this model is challenged by new kinds of stellar explosions discovered in the recent transit surveys. In particular, the new population called superluminous supernovae, which are a hundred times brighter than typical supernovae, is revolutionizing our understanding of supernovae. New studies suggest the superluminous supernovae are associated with the unusual demise of very massive stars and their extreme supernovae powered by the radioactive isotopes or compact objects formed after the explosion. Studying these supernovae fills a gap of knowledge between the death of massive stars and their explosions; furthermore, we may apply their intense luminosity to light up the distant universe. This paper aims to provide a timely review of superluminous supernovae physics, focusing on the latest development of their theoretical models.