Spiral-wave Wind for the Blue Kilonova

Nedora, Vsevolod and Bernuzzi, Sebastiano and Radice, David and Perego, Albino and Endrizzi, Andrea and Ortiz, Néstor (2019) Spiral-wave Wind for the Blue Kilonova. The Astrophysical Journal, 886 (2). L30. ISSN 2041-8213

[thumbnail of Nedora_2019_ApJL_886_L30.pdf] Text
Nedora_2019_ApJL_886_L30.pdf - Published Version

Download (1MB)

Abstract

The AT2017gfo kilonova (kN) counterpart of the binary neutron star merger event GW170817 was characterized by an early-time bright peak in optical and UV bands. Such blue kN is commonly interpreted as a signature of weak r-process nucleosynthesis in a fast expanding wind whose origin is currently debated. Numerical relativity simulations with microphysical equations of state, approximate neutrino transport, and turbulent viscosity reveal a new hydrodynamics-driven mechanism that can power the blue kN. Spiral density waves in the remnant generate a characteristic wind of mass ∼10−2 ${M}_{\odot }$ and velocity ∼0.2 c. The ejected material has an electron fraction mostly distributed above 0.25 being partially reprocessed by hydrodynamic shocks in the expanding arms. The combination of dynamical ejecta and spiral-wave wind can account for solar system abundances of r-process elements and early-time observed light curves.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Open Research Librarians > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@open.researchlibrarians.com
Date Deposited: 27 May 2023 06:50
Last Modified: 31 Jan 2024 04:34
URI: http://stm.e4journal.com/id/eprint/1048

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item