Core-Collapse Supernovae and their Gravitational Wave Signals: The Status of Theory and Modeling

TL;DR

This review discusses the current state of theoretical understanding and modeling of gravitational wave signals from core-collapse supernovae, emphasizing their potential to reveal supernova physics and the challenges ahead.

Contribution

It summarizes the physical processes shaping supernova gravitational wave signals and highlights the need for extensive model databases and uncertainty quantification for future observations.

Findings

Gravitational wave signals can constrain supernova progenitor properties.

Current models face uncertainties requiring systematic quantification.

Developing large model databases is essential for future multi-messenger astronomy.

Abstract

The detection of gravitational waves from a core-collapse supernova in the Milky Way or its vicinity represents a unique opportunity to probe the inner workings of these explosions. In this review, I briefly summarize our current understanding of the supernova explosion mechanism and then outline the physical processes that shape the supernova gravitational wave signal. The review highlights how the various components of the signal have the potential to constrain the progenitor rotation, the proto-neutron star structure, the nuclear equation of state, the nature of hydrodynamic instabilities, and the violence of turbulent motions in the supernova core. I also highlight some open questions and uncertainties in the theory of supernova gravitational wave astronomy as well as challenges for further progress. Specifically, there is a need to develop large model databases, systematic uncertainty quantification and methods for evidence assessment to prepare for multi-messenger observations from a Galactic supernova.