Bridging between type IIb and Ib supernovae: SN IIb 2022crv with a very thin Hydrogen envelope

TL;DR

SN 2022crv is a supernova that transitioned from Type IIb to Ib, featuring a very thin hydrogen envelope, slow light-curve evolution, and high mass-loss rate, bridging the gap between compact and extended progenitors.

Contribution

This study provides detailed multi-wavelength observations and modeling of SN 2022crv, revealing its unique properties and bridging the understanding between different supernova progenitor scenarios.

Findings

SN 2022crv retained a very thin hydrogen envelope (~0.05 M$_{\ m\odot}$).

The supernova exhibited a slow light-curve evolution with a bright peak driven by radioactive decay.

Radio observations indicate a high mass-loss rate and a compact progenitor, filling a previously unoccupied parameter space.

Abstract

We present optical, near-infrared, and radio observations of supernova (SN) SN~IIb 2022crv. We show that it retained a very thin H envelope and transitioned from a SN~IIb to a SN~Ib; prominent H$\alpha$ seen in the pre-maximum phase diminishes toward the post-maximum phase, while He {\sc i} lines show increasing strength. \texttt{SYNAPPS} modeling of the early spectra of SN~2022crv suggests that the absorption feature at 6200\,\AA\ is explained by a substantial contribution of H$\alpha$ together with Si {\sc ii}, as is also supported by the velocity evolution of H$\alpha$. The light-curve evolution is consistent with the canonical stripped-envelope supernova subclass but among the slowest. The light curve lacks the initial cooling phase and shows a bright main peak (peak M$_{V}$=$-$17.82$\pm$0.17 mag), mostly driven by radioactive decay of $\rm^{56}$Ni. The light-curve analysis suggests a thin outer H envelope ($M_{\rm env} \sim$0.05 M$_{\odot}$) and a compact progenitor (R$_{\rm env}$ $\sim$3 R$_{\odot}$). An interaction-powered synchrotron self-absorption (SSA) model can reproduce the radio light curves with a mean shock velocity of 0.1c. The mass-loss rate is estimated to be in the range of (1.9$-$2.8) $\times$ 10$^{-5}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ for an assumed wind velocity of 1000 km s$^{-1}$, which is on the high end in comparison with other compact SNe~IIb/Ib. SN~2022crv fills a previously unoccupied parameter space of a very compact progenitor, representing a beautiful continuity between the compact and extended progenitor scenario of SNe~IIb/Ib.