Mergers of compact objects with cores of massive stars: evolutionary pathways, r-process nucleosynthesis and multi-messenger signatures

TL;DR

This paper reviews the evolutionary pathways, physical processes, and multi-messenger signatures of mergers between compact objects and massive star cores, highlighting their role in high-energy astrophysics and nucleosynthesis.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms, observable signals, and astrophysical implications of compact object-core mergers, integrating recent theoretical and observational developments.

Findings

Identification of key evolutionary channels leading to mergers.

Assessment of r-process nucleosynthesis feasibility in these events.

Predictions of electromagnetic, neutrino, and gravitational-wave signatures.

Abstract

The study of massive binary systems has steadily progressed over the past decades, with increasing focus on their evolution, interactions and mergers, driven by improvements in computational modelling and observational techniques. In particular, when a binary system involves a massive giant and a neutron star (NS) or a black hole (BH) that go through common envelope evolution (CEE), it might result in the merger of the compact object with the core of its giant companion, giving rise to various high energy astrophysical phenomena. We review the different evolutionary channels that lead to compact object-core mergers, key physical processes with emphasis on the role of accretion physics, feasibility of r-process nucleosynthesis, expected observable electromagnetic, neutrino and gravitational-wave (GW) signatures, as well as potential correlation with detected core collapse supernovae (CCSNe), luminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs) and low luminosity long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs). After presenting our current understanding of these mergers, we conclude discussing prospects for future advancements.