Neutron star-companion interaction in core-collapse supernovae. Population synthesis based on detailed binary evolution models
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Most massive stars live in binary systems. When the first supernova in a binary occurs, the ejecta hit the companion, which may inflate as a consequence, and then interact with the newly formed compact object. The recent Type Ic supernova shows a periodic modulation in its emission, which is interpreted as evidence of such interaction. 2022jli We derive predictions for the occurrence rate and observables of supernovae exhibiting these compact object--companion interactions (CCIs). We analyzed a comprehensive state-of-the-art grid of detailed binary stellar evolution models and implemented analytic prescriptions for the expansion of the companion star following its interaction with the supernova ejecta. We then employed the newly developed population synthesis code to derive the distribution functions of the properties of the supernovae affected by CCI and their companions, where we used different explodability and neutron star birth-kick distributions. SN-ORACLE We find that periodic CCI is expected to occur in more than half of the binary systems that produce a hydrogen-poor core-collapse supernova and are not disrupted, while the occurrence rate in systems producing hydrogen-rich supernovae is small. We found broad period ranges, peaking around 20-50 with the interaction lasting for 0.5-10 , , and . The inflation of the companion also increases their luminosity and brightness, increasing their detectability with current instruments. For , our best-fitting models predict a J-band magnitude of 21-23 for up to sim10 We identified specific binary evolution models that reproduce the observed period of the light curve undulations of 2022jli 2015ap 2022esa 2022jli We find that up to sim27% of H-poor supernovae could show periodicity in their light curves, while only a few such events have been identified so far. Our results may help identify periodic CCI features in future and archival supernova observations.
Source: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,865
Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
OpenAlex ID: W7162016843