Showing papers by "Anthony Mezzacappa published in 2012"

Axisymmetric Ab Initio Core-Collapse Supernova Simulations of 12-25 M_sol Stars

Abstract: We present an overview of four ab initio axisymmetric core-collapse supernova simulations employing detailed spectral neutrino transport computed with our CHIMERA code and initiated from Woosley & Heger (2007) progenitors of mass 12, 15, 20, and 25 M_sol. All four models exhibit shock revival over \sim 200 ms (leading to the possibility of explosion), driven by neutrino energy deposition. Hydrodynamic instabilities that impart substantial asymmetries to the shock aid these revivals, with convection appearing first in the 12 M_sol model and the standing accretion shock instability (SASI) appearing first in the 25 M_sol model. Three of the models have developed pronounced prolate morphologies (the 20 M_sol model has remained approximately spherical). By 500 ms after bounce the mean shock radii in all four models exceed 3,000 km and the diagnostic explosion energies are 0.33, 0.66, 0.65, and 0.70 Bethe (B = $10^{51}$ ergs) for the 12, 15, 20, and 25 M_sol models, respectively, and are increasing. The three least massive of our models are already sufficiently energetic to completely unbind the envelopes of their progenitors (i.e., to explode), as evidenced by our best estimate of their explosion energies, which first become positive at 320, 380, and 440 ms after bounce. By 850 ms the 12 M_sol diagnostic explosion energy has saturated at 0.38 B, and our estimate for the final kinetic energy of the ejecta is \sim 0.3 B, which is comparable to observations for lower-mass progenitors.

Turbulent magnetic field amplification from spiral sasi modes: implications for core-collapse supernovae and proto-neutron star magnetization

Abstract: We extend our investigation of magnetic field evolution in three-dimensional flows driven by the stationary accretion shock instability (SASI) with a suite of higher-resolution idealized models of the post-bounce core-collapse supernova environment. Our magnetohydrodynamic simulations vary in initial magnetic field strength, rotation rate, and grid resolution. Vigorous SASI-driven turbulence inside the shock amplifies magnetic fields exponentially; but while the amplified fields reduce the kinetic energy of small-scale flows, they do not seem to affect the global shock dynamics. The growth rate and final magnitude of the magnetic energy are very sensitive to grid resolution, and both are underestimated by the simulations. Nevertheless our simulations suggest that neutron star magnetic fields exceeding $$10^{14}$$~G can result from dynamics driven by the SASI, \emph{even for non-rotating progenitors}.

On the requirements for realistic modeling of neutrino transport in simulations of core-collapse supernovae

Abstract: We have conducted a series of numerical experiments with the spherically symmetric, general relativistic, neutrino radiation hydrodynamics code AGILE-BOLTZTRAN to examine the effects of several approximations used in multidimensional core-collapse supernova simulations. Our code permits us to examine the effects of these approximations quantitatively by removing, or substituting for, the pieces of supernova physics of interest. These approximations include: (1) using Newtonian versus general relativistic gravity, hydrodynamics, and transport; (2) using a reduced set of weak interactions, including the omission of non-isoenergetic neutrino scattering, versus the current state-of-the-art; and (3) omitting the velocity-dependent terms, or observer corrections, from the neutrino Boltzmann kinetic equation. We demonstrate that each of these changes has noticeable effects on the outcomes of our simulations. Of these, we find that the omission of observer corrections is particularly detrimental to the potential for neutrino-driven explosions and exhibits a failure to conserve lepton number. Finally, we discuss the impact of these results on our understanding of current, and the requirements for future, multidimensional models.

Interplay of Neutrino Opacities in Core-collapse Supernova Simulations

Abstract: We have conducted a series of numerical experiments using spherically symmetric, general relativistic, neutrino radiation hydrodynamics with the code Agile-BOLTZTRAN to examine the effects of modern neutrino opacities on the development of supernova simulations. We test the effects of opacities by removing opacities or by undoing opacity improvements for individual opacities and groups of opacities. We find that improvements to electron capture (EC) on nuclei, namely EC on an ensemble of nuclei using modern nuclear structure models rather than the simpler independent-particle approximation (IPA) for EC on a mean nucleus, plays the most important role during core collapse of all tested neutrino opacities. Low-energy neutrinos emitted by modern nuclear EC preferentially escape during collapse without the energy downscattering on electrons required to enhance neutrino escape and deleptonization for the models with IPA nuclear EC. During shock breakout the primary influence on the emergent neutrinos arises from non-isoenergetic scattering (NIS) on electrons. For the accretion phase, NIS on free nucleons and pair emission by e + e – annihilation have the largest impact on the neutrino emission and shock evolution. Other opacities evaluated, including nucleon-nucleon bremsstrahlung and especially neutrino-positron scattering, have little measurable impact on neutrino emission or shock dynamics. Modern treatments of nuclear EC, e + e –-annihilation pair emission, and NIS on electrons and free nucleons are critical elements of core-collapse simulations of all dimensionality.

Interplay of Neutrino Opacities in Core-collapse Supernova Simulations

Abstract: We have conducted a series of numerical experiments using spherically symmetric, general relativistic, neutrino radiation hydrodynamics with the code Agile-BOLTZTRAN to examine the effects of modern neutrino opacities on the development of supernova simulations. We test the effects of opacities by removing opacities or by undoing opacity improvements for individual opacities and groups of opacities. We find that improvements to electron capture (EC) on nuclei, namely EC on an ensemble of nuclei using modern nuclear structure models rather than the simpler independent-particle approximation (IPA) for EC on a mean nucleus, plays the most important role during core collapse of all tested neutrino opacities. Low-energy neutrinos emitted by modern nuclear EC preferentially escape during collapse without the energy downscattering on electrons required to enhance neutrino escape and deleptonization for the models with IPA nuclear EC. During shock breakout the primary influence on the emergent neutrinos arises from NIS on electrons. For the accretion phase, non-isoenergetic scattering on free nucleons and pair emission by $e^+e^-$ annihilation have the largest impact on the neutrino emission and shock evolution. Other opacities evaluated, including nucleon--nucleon bremsstrahlung and especially neutrino--positron scattering, have little measurable impact on neutrino emission or shock dynamics. Modern treatments of nuclear electron capture, $e^+e^-$-annihilation pair emission, and non-isoenergetic scattering on electrons and free nucleons are critical elements of core-collapse simulations of all dimensionality.

GenASiS: General Astrophysical Simulation System. I. Refinable Mesh and Nonrelativistic Hydrodynamics

Abstract: GenASiS (General Astrophysical Simulation System) is a new code being developed initially and primarily, though by no means exclusively, for the simulation of core-collapse supernovae on the world's leading capability supercomputers. This paper---the first in a series---demonstrates a centrally refined coordinate patch suitable for gravitational collapse and documents methods for compressible nonrelativistic hydrodynamics. We benchmark the hydrodynamics capabilities of GenASiS against many standard test problems; the results illustrate the basic competence of our implementation, demonstrate the strengths and limitations of the HLLC relative to the HLL Riemann solver in a number of interesting cases, and provide preliminary indications of the code's ability to scale and to function with cell-by-cell fixed-mesh refinement.

Conservative moment equations for neutrino radiation tran sport with limited relativity

Abstract: We derive conservative, multidimensional, energy-dependent moment equations for neutrino transport in core-collapse supernovae and related astrophysical systems, with particular attention to the consistency of conservative four-momentum and lepton number transport equations. After taking angular moments of conservative formulations of the general relativistic Boltzmann eq uation, we specialize to a conformally flat spacetime, which also serves as the basis for four further limits. Two of these—the multidimensional special relativistic case, and a conformally flat formulation of the spherically s ymmetric general relativistic case—are given in appendices for the sake of comparison with extant literature. The third limit is a weak-field, ‘pseudo-Newtonian’ approach (Kim et al. 2009, 2012) in which the source of the gravitational potential include s the trace of the stress-energy tensor (rather than just the mass density), a nd all orders in fluid velocity v are retained. Our primary interest here is in the fourth limit: ‘O(v)’ moment equations for use in conjunction with Newtonian sel fgravitating hydrodynamics. We show that the concept of ‘O(v)’ transport requires care when dealing with both conservative four-momentum and conservative lepton number transport, and present two self-consistent options: ‘O(v)-plus’ transport, in which an O(v 2 ) energy equation combines with an O(v) momentum equation to give an O(v 2 ) number equation; and ‘O(v)-minus’ transport, in which an O(v) energy equation combines with an O(1) momentum equation to give anO(v) number equation. Subject headings:neutrinos — radiative transfer — supernovae: general

Turbulent Magnetic Field Amplification from Spiral SASI Modes: Implications for Core-Collapse Supernovae and Proto-Neutron Star Magnetization

Abstract: We extend our investigation of magnetic field evolution in three-dimensional flows driven by the stationary accretion shock instability (SASI) with a suite of higher-resolution idealized models of the post-bounce core-collapse supernova environment. Our magnetohydrodynamic simulations vary in initial magnetic field strength, rotation rate, and grid resolution. Vigorous SASI-driven turbulence inside the shock amplifies magnetic fields exponentially; but while the amplified fields reduce the kinetic energy of small-scale flows, they do not seem to affect the global shock dynamics. The growth rate and final magnitude of the magnetic energy are very sensitive to grid resolution, and both are underestimated by the simulations. Nevertheless our simulations suggest that neutron star magnetic fields exceeding $10^{14}$ G can result from dynamics driven by the SASI, \emph{even for non-rotating progenitors}.

Turbulence and magnetic field amplification from spiral SASI modes in core-collapse supernovae

Abstract: The stationary accretion shock instability (SASI) plays a central role in modern simulations of the explosion phase of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe). It may be key to realizing neutrino powered explosions, and possibly links birth properties of pulsars (e.g., kick, spin, and magnetic field) to supernova dynamics. Using high-resolution magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we study the development of turbulence, and subsequent amplification of magnetic fields in a simplified model of the post-bounce core-collapse supernova environment. Turbulence develops from secondary instabilities induced by the SASI. Our simulations suggest that the development of turbulence plays an important role for the subsequent evolution of the SASI. The turbulence also acts to amplify weak magnetic fields via a small-scale dynamo.

Turbulent magnetic field amplification from spiral SASI modes in core-collapse supernovae

Abstract: We describe the initial implementation of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in our astrophysical simulation code GENASIS. Then, we present MHD simulations exploring the capacity of the stationary accretion shock instability (SASI) to generate magnetic fields by adding a weak magnetic field to an initially spherically symmetric fluid configuration that models a stalled shock in the post-bounce supernova environment. Upon perturbation and nonlinear SASI development, shear flows associated with the spiral SASI mode contributes to a widespread and turbulent field amplification mechanism. While the SASI may contribute to neutron star magnetization, these simulations do not show qualitatively new features in the global evolution of the shock as a result of SASI-induced magnetic field amplification.

Advancements in modeling self-consistent core collapse supernovae with CHIMERA

Abstract: We discuss advancements in modeling core-collapse supernovae with our code CHIMERA. We describe the status and details of our tracer particle method and its uses for post-processing nucleosynthesis and as a tool for broad core-collapse supernova (CCSN) model analyses. We also introduce our progress towards expanding a nuclear reaction network beyond the alphanetwork for the purpose of accurate in-situ nucleosynthesis, not only for core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) in general, but for a special sub-class of supernovae called electron capture supernovae (ECSNe), which stem from progenitors stars between 8 and 10 M⊙. By using an advanced nuclear reaction network, our 2D and 3D code will allow for unparalleled studies of CCSNe and ECSNe ejecta.

GenASiS: General Astrophysical Simulation System. II. Nonrelativistic Hydrodynamics

Abstract: In this paper, the second in a series, we document the algorithms and solvers for compressible nonrelativistic hydrodynamics implemented in GenASiS (General Astrophysical Simulation System)---a new code being developed initially and primarily, though by no means exclusively, for the simulation of core-collapse supernovae. In the Mathematics division of GenASiS we introduce Solvers, which includes finite-volume updates for generic hyperbolic BalanceEquations and ordinary differential equation integration Steps. We also introduce the Physics division of GenASiS; this extends the Manifolds division of Mathematics into physical Spaces, defines StressEnergies, and combines these into Universes. We benchmark the hydrodynamics capabilities of GenASiS against many standard test problems; the results illustrate the basic competence of our implementation, demonstrate the manifest superiority of the HLLC over the HLL Riemann solver in a number of interesting cases, and provide preliminary indications of the code's ability to scale and to function with cell-by-cell fixed-mesh refinement.

Genasis: general astrophysical simulation system. i. fundamentals

Abstract: GenASiS (General Astrophysical Simulation System) is a new code being developed initially and primarily, though by no means exclusively, for the simulation of core-collapse supernovae on the world’s leading capability supercomputers. Using the features of Fortran 2003 that allow for object-oriented programming, its classes are grouped into three major divisions: (1) Basics, which contains some basic utilitarian functionality for large-scale simulations on distributed-memory supercomputers; (2) Mathematics, which includes generic mathematical constructs and solvers that are as agnostic as possible with regard to the specifics of any particular system; and (3) Physics, which sets up physical spaces associated with various theories of spacetime (including gravity), defines various forms of stressenergy, and combines these into ‘universes.’ To provide a foundation for subsequent papers focusing on the implementation of various pieces of physics needed for the simulation of core-collapse supernovae and other astrophysical systems, this paper—the first in a series—focuses on Basics and one of the major constructs under Mathematics: cell-by-cell refinable Manifolds. Two sample problems illustrate our object-oriented approach and exercise the capabilities of the Basics and Manifolds divisions of GenASiS.

Astrophysical Implications of the QCD Phase Transition

Abstract: The possible role of a first order QCD phase transition at nonv anishing quark chemical potential and temperature for cold neutron stars and for supernovae is delineated. For cold neutron stars, we use the NJL model with nonvanishing color superconducting pairing gaps, which describes the phase transition to the 2SC and the CFL quark matter phases at high baryon densities. We demonstrate that these two phase transitions can both be present in the core of neutron stars and that they lead to the appearance of a third family of solution for compact stars. In particular, a core of CFL quark matter can be present in stable compact star confi gurations when slightly adjusting the vacuum pressure to the onset of the chiral phase transiti on from the hadronic model to the NJL model. We show that a strong first order phase transition can h ave strong impact on the dynamics of core collapse supernovae. If the QCD phase transition sets in shortly after the first bounce, a second outgoing shock wave can be generated which leads to an explosion. The presence of the QCD phase transition can be read off from the neutrino and antineutrino signal of the supernova.

Poster: GenASiS: General Astrophysics Simulation System - Object-Oriented Approach to High Performance Multiphysics Code with Fortran 2003

Abstract: Many problems in astrophysics and cosmology are multiphysics and multiscale in nature. For problems with multiphysics components, the challenges facing the development of complicated simulation codes can be ameliorated by the principles of object-oriented design. GenASiS is a new code being developed to face these challenges from the ground up. Its object-oriented design and approach are accomplished with features of Fortran 2003 that support the object-oriented paradigm and can do so without sacrificing performance. Its initial primary target, although not exclusively, is the simulation of core-collapse supernovae on the world's leading capability supercomputers. We present an overview GenASiS architecture, including its cell-by-cell refinement with multilevel mesh and object-oriented approach with Fortran 2003. We demonstrate its initial capabilities and solvers and show its scability on the massively parallel supercomputer.