An Exploration of the Equation of State Dependence of Core-collapse Supernova Explosion Outcomes and Signatures
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: We explore, using a state-of-the-art simulation code in 3D and late-enough times to witness final observables, the dependence of core-collapse supernova explosions on the nuclear equation of state (EOS). Going beyond questions of explodability, we compare final explosion energies, nucleosynthetic yields, recoil kicks, and gravitational-wave and neutrino signatures using the SFHo and DD2 nuclear EOSs for a 9 M ⊙ /solar-metallicity progenitor star. The DD2 EOS is stiffer and has a lower effective nucleon mass. The result is a more extended protoneutron star (PNS) and lower central densities. As a consequence, the mean neutrino energies, final explosion energy, and recoil kick speed are lower. Moreover, the evolution of PNS convection differs between the two EOS models in significant ways. This translates in part into interestingly altered neutrino “light” curves and noticeably altered gravitational-wave signal strengths and frequency characteristics that may be diagnostic. The faster exploding model (SFHo) yields slightly more neutron-rich ejecta and more species with atomic weights between 60 and 90 and a weak r -process. However, this is merely a preliminary study. The next step is a more comprehensive and multiprogenitor set of 3D supernova simulations for various EOSs to late times when the observables have asymptoted. Such a future investigation will have a direct bearing on the neutron star and black hole birth mass functions and the quest toward a fully quantitative theory of supernova observables.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,499
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Princeton University, National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Argonne National Laboratory
Awards: G102163711, G107546177, G1313983767, New Theoretical Insights into Cosmic Cataclysms, G1348557892, G1398330795, NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS THEORY AT UC BERKELEY, G1643223109, G1664757510, G1671357260, G193590374, Computation for the Endless Frontier, G2237054472, G2287611682, G262962599, G2787076192, G2811926251, G3075337988, Solutions to the Core-Collapse Supernova Problem from Theory, G4309213391, TOWARDS EXASCALE ASTROPHYSICS OF MERGERS AND SUPERNOVAE (TEAMS), G498139845, G513797252, TOWARDS EXASCALE ASTROPHYSICS OF MERGERS AND SUPERNOVAE (TEAMS), G6352361788, G6848031779, G6918803902, G7337822738, G7769519149, G8099852790, G878601127, G969889393, G993149817
OpenAlex ID: W7161001461