Semi-confined supernova feedback in HII region bubbles

TL;DR

This paper introduces a semi-confined supernova feedback model in HII regions, demonstrating through simulations that such confinement enhances local dynamical effects and turbulence, differing from traditional symmetric models.

Contribution

The study presents a theoretical model and simulations of semi-confined supernovae, highlighting their increased impact and turbulence compared to fully confined or unconfined scenarios.

Findings

Semi-confined SNe increase local dynamical impact.

Semi-confined SNe extend energy coupling timescales.

Enhanced small-scale turbulence driven by semi-confined SNe.

Abstract

Galactic-scale simulations rely on sub-grid models to provide prescriptions for the coupling between supernova (SN) feedback and the interstellar medium (ISM). Many of these models are computed in 1-D to allow for an efficient way to account for the variability of properties of their local environment. However, small-scale simulations revealed that the release of energy from SNe within molecular clouds can be highly asymmetrical. This is largely due to the presence of pre-SN feedback, such as ionizing radiation, that are able to carve cavities and channels around the progenitors prior to their detonation. Being partially confined, the SN energy escapes into the outer ISM preferentially through these channels, departing from the spherically symmetric 1-D descriptions. To understand by how much the feedback output could differ, we present a theoretical model for a semi-confined SN. The problem concerns a SN expanding into an evolved HII region, bounded by a molecular cloud with pre-existing vents. With the aid of simple 3-D hydrodynamical simulations, we show that this mode of energy release increases the local dynamical impact of the outflows, and extends the timescales over which the SN is energetically coupled to the surrounding matter. We also show that the amount of small-scale solenoidal turbulence driven by semi-confined SNe may be amplified.