Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-11-29
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 361 (2005) 955-964
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Published version (includes discussion of black hole binaries). 11 pages, 1 figure
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2005.09220.x
Helium star--compact object binaries, and helium star--neutron star binaries in particular, are widely believed to be the progenitors of the observed double neutron star systems. In these, the second neutron star is presumed to be the compact remnant of the helium star supernova. Here, the observational implications of such a supernova are discussed, and in particular are explored as a candidate gamma-ray burst mechanism. In this scenario the supernova results in a transient period of rapid accretion onto the compact object, extracting via magnetic torques its rotational energy at highly super-Eddington luminosities in the form of a narrowly beamed, strongly electromagnetically dominated jet. Compton scattering of supernova photons advected within the ejecta, and photons originating at shocks driven into the ejecta by the jet, will cool the jet and can produce the observed prompt emission characteristics, including the peak--inferred isotropic energy relation, X-ray flash characteristics, subpulse light curves, energy dependent time lags and subpulse broadening, and late time spectral softening. The duration of the burst is limited by the rate of Compton cooling of the jet, eventually creating an optically thick, moderately relativistically expanding fireball which can produce the afterglow emission. If the black hole or neutron star stays bound to a compact remnant, late term light curve variability may be observed as in SN 2003dh.
No associations
LandOfFree
Supernovae in Helium Star--Compact Object Binaries: A Possible Gamma-ray Burst Mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Supernovae in Helium Star--Compact Object Binaries: A Possible Gamma-ray Burst Mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Supernovae in Helium Star--Compact Object Binaries: A Possible Gamma-ray Burst Mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-13566