Three-dimensional simulations of the jet feedback mechanism in common envelope jets supernova

TL;DR

This study uses 3D hydrodynamical simulations to explore how jets launched by a neutron star inside a red supergiant's envelope influence the evolution and mass ejection in common envelope supernova events, highlighting the importance of convection and pre-CEE phases.

Contribution

First 3D simulations of CEJSN events that quantify jet feedback effects and suggest the prevalence of grazing envelope evolution prior to common envelope phases.

Findings

Jet feedback coefficient is ~0.1-0.2.

Jets induce complex flow patterns and convection in the envelope.

Grazing envelope evolution likely occurs before full CEE.

Abstract

We conduct three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of common envelope jets supernova (CEJSN) events where we assume that a neutron star (NS) launches jets as it orbits inside the outer zones of a red supergiant (RSG) envelope, and find the negative jet feedback coefficient to be ~0.1-0.2. This coefficient is the factor by which the jets reduce the mass accretion rate onto the NS as they remove mass from the envelope and inflate bubbles (cocoons). Our results suggest that in most CEJSN events the NS-RSG binary system experiences the grazing envelope evolution (GEE) before it enters a full common envelope evolution (CEE). We also find that the jets induce upward and downward flows in the RSG envelope. These flows together with the strong convection of RSG stars might imply that energy transport by convection in CEJSNe is very important. Because of limited numerical resources we do not include in the simulations the gravity of the NS, nor the accretion process, nor the jets launching process, and nor the gravity of the deformed envelope. Future numerical simulations of CEE with a NS/BH companion should include the accretion process onto the NS (and vary the jets' power accordingly), the full gravitational interaction of the NS with the RSG, and energy transport by the strong convection.