Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) have proven to be extremely useful for measuring cosmological distances and were used for the discovery of the accelerated expansion of the universe. Although thousands of SNe Ia have been observed to date, many questions surrounding the physics of the explosions and the nature of their progenitor systems remain unanswered. An notable property of many SNe Ia is the relation between extinction due to dust and their colour. For example SN 2014J, the nearest SN Ia in recent years, has an extinction relation which would be very unusual to observe in the Milky Way. One possible explanation to the peculiar extinction could be the presence of circumstellar (CS) dust surrounding the explosions. Incidentally, some proposed progenitor models of SNe Ia suggest that the explosions are surrounded by shells of matter, which could account for the unusual extinction. CS gas would be ionised, if it is exposed to the intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation of a SN Ia. The research presented in this thesis focuses on the search for CS gas by observing the effects of photoionisation on absorption lines commonly detected in optical spectra. Simple models suggest that the frequently studied sodium doublet (Na I D) should significantly decrease or even disappear if the gas is in the CS environment. Conversely, the absence of variations implies that the absorbing gas clouds must be far from the explosion, in the interstellar medium (ISM). To date, few SNe Ia have been shown to have variable absorption lines, to which we have added another case with SN 2013gh. Yet, we have also shown that most observations searching for variable absorption lines have been taken at too late phases, when most CS gas will have already been ionised. Setting out to obtain the earliest possible coverage of a SN Ia with high-resolution spectra, we have been able to set strong limits on the presence of CS gas surrounding SN 2017cbv. Along with evidence from other observational methods, these results have shown that there is little matter in the CS environments of SNe Ia, suggesting that the peculiar extinction likely results from the dust properties of their host galaxy ISM. Although the progenitor question cannot be resolved by these observations, nondetections of CS gas point to models which do not deposit large amounts of matter in their surroundings. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 5: Submitted.</p>

We use VLBA+VLA observations to measure the sizes of the scatter-broadened images of six of the most heavily scattered known pulsars: three within the Galactic Centre (GC) and three elsewhere in the inner Galactic plane (Delta l < 20 degrees). By combining the measured sizes with temporal pulse broadening data from the literature and using the thin-screen approximation, we locate the scattering medium along the line of sight to these six pulsars. At least two scattering screens are needed to explain the observations of the GC sample. We show that the screen inferred by previous observations of SGR J1745-2900 and Sgr A*, which must be located far from the GC, falls off in strength on scales less than or similar to 0 degrees.2. A second scattering component closer to (Delta < 2 kpc) or even (tentatively) within (Delta < 700 pc) the GC produces most or all of the temporal broadening observed in the other GC pulsars. Outside the GC, the scattering locations for all three pulsars are similar or equal to 2 kpc from Earth, consistent with the distance of the Carina-Sagittarius or Scutum spiral arm. For each object the 3D scattering origin coincides with a known H II region (and in one case also a supernova remnant), suggesting that such objects preferentially cause the intense interstellar scattering seen towards the Galactic plane. We show that the H II regions should contribute greater than or similar to 25 per cent of the total dispersion measure (DM) towards these pulsars, and calculate reduced DM distances. Those distances for other pulsars lying behind H II regions may be similarly overestimated.

Med utgångspunkt från den teoretiska bakgrunden, definitionen av svarta hål och deras generella egenskaper har jag studerat villkor för bildandet av svarta hål från döende singulära stjärnor. Supernovaprocessen beskrivs tillsammans med hur neutronstjärnor kan påverkas av destabiliserande mekanismer som t.ex. kaonkondensation. Olika observationer samt alternativa teorier läggs fram som argument och motargument. Utifrån detta underlag drar jag slutsatsen att svarta hål kan existera i fler varianter än vad som hittills antagits, främst i form av s.k. lågmassiva svarta hål på 1,5-1,8 Msol.   Vidare skildras möjligheten att producera mikroskopiska svarta hål i LHC-acceleratorn (Large Hadron Collider) i CERN, de kontroverser som omgärdar detta fenomen och de kunskaper som skulle kunna vinnas från kontrollerade observationer av sådana objekt. Den generella slutsatsen här är det ofrånkomliga mötet mellan partikelfysik och astrofysik för att få tillgång till de allra djupaste insikterna om det universum vi lever i. / Building on the theoretical background, definition of black holes and their general characteristics, I have studied some conditions for the formation of black holes from dying singular stars. The supernova process is described along with the influence on neutron stars by destabilising mechanism such as kaon condensation. Various observations as well as alternative theories are presented for argumentation. From this material I draw the conclusion that black holes can exist in more varieties than has been previously assumed, foremost in the shape of low-massive black holes with masses between 1.5 and 1.8 Msun.   Furthermore the possibility to produce microscopic black holes in the LHC accelerator (Large Hadron Collider) at CERN is portrayed, together with the controversies that currently surround this phenomenon and the knowledge that could be won from controlled observations of such objects. The general conclusion here is the unavoidable meeting between particle physics and astrophysics in order to access the deepest insights about the Universe we inhabit.

We investigate the physics of charged-particle acceleration at spherical shocks moving into a uniform plasma containing a turbulent magnetic field with a uniform mean. This has applications to particle acceleration at astrophysical shocks, most notably, to supernovae blast waves. We numerically integrate the equations of motion of a large number of test protons moving under the influence of electric and magnetic fields determined from a kinematically defined plasma flow associated with a radially propagating blast wave. Distribution functions are determined from the positions and velocities of the protons. The unshocked plasma contains a magnetic field with a uniform mean and an irregular component having a Kolmogorov-like power spectrum. The field inside the blast wave is determined from Maxwell's equations. The angle between the average magnetic field and unit normal to the shock varies with position along its surface. It is quasi-perpendicular to the unit normal near the sphere's equator, and quasi-parallel to it near the poles. We find that the highest intensities of particles, accelerated by the shock, are at the poles of the blast wave. The particles "collect" at the poles as they approximately adhere to magnetic field lines that move poleward from their initial encounter with the shock at the equator, as the shock expands. The field lines at the poles have been connected to the shock the longest. We also find that the highest-energy protons are initially accelerated near the equator or near the quasi-perpendicular portion of the shock, where the acceleration is more rapid.

Neste trabalho investigamos os efeitos de choques (induzidos por supernovas) e de turbulência magneto-hidrodinâmica no processo de formação estelar. Primeiramente, considerando o impacto de um remanescente de supernova (RSN) com uma nuvem neutra magnetizada derivamos analiticamente um conjunto de condições através das quais estas interações podem levar à formação de estruturas densas capazes de tornarem-se gravitacionalmente instáveis e formar estrelas. Usando estas condições, construímos diagramas do raio do RSN, $R_$, versus a densidade inicial da nuvem, $n_c$, os quais delimitam um domínio no espaço paramétrico onde a formação estelar é permitida. Estes diagramas foram testados através de simulações numéricas magneto-hidrodinâmicas tridimensionais (3D MHD) onde seguimos a evolução espaço-temporal da interação de um RSN com uma nuvem auto-gravitante. Verificamos que a análise numérica está de acordo com os resultados previstos pelos diagramas. Observamos ainda que a presença de um campo magnético fraco, $\\sim 1 \\; \\mu$G, inicialmente homogêneo e perpendicular à velocidade de impacto do RSN, resulta em uma pequena diminuição da região permitida para formação estelar nos diagramas quando comparado a diagramas para nuvens não magnetizadas. Já um campo magnético mais intenso ($\\sim 10\\;\\mu$G) causa um encolhimento significativo nestas, como esperado. Embora derivados de considerações analíticas simples estes diagramas fornecem uma ferramenta útil para identificar locais onde a formação estelar pode ter sido induzida pelo impacto de uma onda de choque de SN. Aplicações a algumas regiões de nossa Galáxia (como a Grande Concha de CO na direção de Escorpião e a Nuvem Periférica 2 na direção da constelação de Cassiopeia) mostram que a formação estelar nestes locais pode ter sido induzida por uma onda de choque de um RSN em passado recente, quando se consideram valores específicos para as condições iniciais das nuvens impactadas.%, para valores específicos de raio do RSN e uma faixa de densidades iniciais possíveis para estas nuvens. Avaliamos também a eficiência de formação estelar efetiva para estas interações e encontramos que esta é geralmente menor do que os valores observados para a nossa Galáxia (sfe $\\sim$ 0.01$-$0.3). Este resultado é consistente com outros trabalhos da literatura e também sugere que este mecanismo, embora poderoso para induzir a formação de estruturas, turbulência supersônica e eventualmente formação estelar local, não parece ser suficiente para induzir a formação estelar global em galáxia normais, nem mesmo quando o campo magnético é desprezado. Além do estudo acima, exploramos ainda a formação estelar considerando a injeção prévia de turbulência (por um mecanismo físico arbitrário) em nuvens magnetizadas. Para uma nuvem ou glóbulo de nuvem molecular formar estrelas deve haver transporte de fluxo magnético das regiões internas mais densas para as regiões externas menos densas da nuvem, de outra forma o colapso poderá ser impedido pela força magnética. Consideramos aqui um novo mecanismo. Reconexão magnética rápida, a qual ocorre em presença de turbulência, pode induzir um processo de difusão eficiente dos campos magnéticos. Neste trabalho investigamos esse processo por meio de simulações numéricas 3D MHD e suas implicações para a formação estelar, estendendo um estudo prévio realizado para nuvens de simetria cilíndrica e sem auto-gravidade (Santos-Lima et al. 2010). Aqui consideramos nuvens mais realistas com potenciais gravitacionais esféricos (devido a estrelas embebidas) e também levando em conta os efeitos da auto-gravidade do gás. Determinamos, pela primeira vez, quais as condições em que o transporte do campo magnético devido à difusão por reconexão turbulenta leva uma nuvem inicialmente subcrítica a tornar-se super-crítica e capaz de colapsar para formar estrelas. Nossos resultados indicam que a formação de um núcleo supercrítico é resultado de uma complexa interação entre gravidade, auto-gravidade, intensidade do campo magnético e turbulência aproximadamente trans-sônica e trans-Alfvénica. Em particular, a auto-gravidade favorece a difusão do campo magnético por reconexão turbulenta e, como resultado, seu desacoplamento do gás colapsante torna-se mais eficiente do que quando apenas um campo gravitacional externo está presente. Demonstramos que a difusão por reconexão turbulenta é capaz de remover fluxo magnético da maior parte das nuvens investigadas, porém somente uma minoria desenvolve núcleos aproximadamente críticos ou super-críticos, o que é consistente com as observações. A formação destes é restrita ao seguinte intervalo de condições iniciais para as nuvens: razão pressão térmica-pressão magnética, $\\beta \\sim 1$ a $3$, razões entre a energia turbulenta e a energia magnética $E_/E_\\sim 1.62$ a $2.96$, e densidades $50 < n < 140$ cm$^$, quando consideramos massas estelares M$_{\\star}\\sim 25$M$_{\\odot}$, implicando uma massa total da nuvem (gás + estrelas) M$_\\lesssim 120$M$_{\\odot}$. / In this work, we have investigated the effects of shocks (induced by supernovae) and magnetohydrodynamical turbulence in the process of star formation. Considering first, the impact of a supernova remnant (SNR) with a neutral magnetized cloud we derived analytically a set of conditions through which these interactions can lead to the formation of dense structures able to become gravitationally unstable and form stars. Using these conditions, we have built diagrams of the SNR radius, $R_{SNR}$, versus the initial cloud density, $n_c$, that constrain a domain in the parameter space where star formation is allowed. These diagrams have been also tested by means of three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamical (3D MHD) numerical simulations where the space-time evolution of a SNR interacting with a self-gravitating cloud is followed. We find that the numerical analysis is in agreement with the results predicted by the diagrams. We have also found that the effects of a weak homogeneous magnetic field ($\\sim 1 \\; \\mu$G) approximately perpendicular to the impact velocity of the SNR results only a small decrease of the allowed zone for star formation in the diagrams when compared with the diagrams with non-magnetized clouds. A larger magnetic field ($\\sim 10\\;\\mu$G) on the other hand, causes a significant shrinking of the star formation zone, as one should expect. Although derived from simple analytical considerations, these diagrams provide a useful tool for identifying sites where star formation could be triggered by the impact of a SN blast wave. Applications of them to a few regions of our own Galaxy (e.g., the large CO shell in the direction of Scorpious, and the Edge Cloud 2 in the direction of the Cassiopeia constellation) have revealed that star formation in those sites could have been triggered by shock waves from SNRs in a recent past, when considering specific values of the SNR radius and the initial conditions in the neutral clouds. We have also evaluated the effective star formation efficiency for this sort of interaction and found that it is generally smaller than the observed values in our Galaxy (sfe $\\sim$ 0.01$-$0.3). This result is consistent with previous work in the literature and also suggests that the mechanism presently investigated, though very powerful to drive structure formation, supersonic turbulence and eventually, local star formation, does not seem to be sufficient to drive $global$ star formation in normal star forming galaxies, not even when the magnetic field is neglected. Besides the study above, we have also explored star formation considering a priori injection of turbulence (by an arbitrary physical mechanism) in magnetized clouds. For a molecular cloud clump to form stars some transport of magnetic flux may be required from the denser, inner regions to the outer regions of the cloud, otherwise this can prevent the gravitational collapse. We have considered here a new mechanism. Fast magnetic reconnection which takes place in the presence of turbulence can induce a process of reconnection diffusion of the magnetic field. In this work, we have investigated this process by means of 3D MHD numerical simulations considering its implications on star formation. We have extended a previous study which considered clouds with cylindrical geometry and no self-gravity (Santos-Lima et al. 2010). Here, we considered more realistic clouds with spherical gravitational potentials (from embedded stars) and also accounted for the effects of the gas self-gravity. We demonstrated that reconnection diffusion takes place. We have also, for the first time, determined the conditions under which reconnection diffusion is efficient enough to make an initially subcritical cloud clump to become supercritical and collapse. Our results indicate that the formation of a supercritical core is regulated by a complex interplay between gravity, self-gravity, magnetic field strength and nearly transonic and trans-Alfvénic turbulence. In particular, self-gravity helps reconnection diffusion and, as a result, the magnetic field decoupling from the collapsing gas becomes more efficient than in the case when only an external gravitational field is present. We have demonstrated that reconnection diffusion is able to remove magnetic flux from most of the collapsing clumps analysed, but only a few of them develop nearly critical or supercritical cores, which is consistent with the observations. Their formation is restricted to a range of initial conditions for the clouds as follows: thermal to magnetic pressure ratios $\\beta \\sim$ 1 to 3, turbulent to magnetic energy ratios $E_{turb}/E_{mag}\\sim 1.62$ to $2.96$, and densities $50 < n < 140$ cm$^{-3}$, when considering stellar masses M$_{\\star}\\sim 25$M$_{\\odot}$, implying total (gas+stellar) masses M$_{tot} \\lesssim 120$M$_{\\odot}$.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第22995号 / 理博第4672号 / 新制||理||1670(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科物理学・宇宙物理学専攻 / (主査)教授 鶴 剛, 准教授 窪 秀利, 教授 中家 剛 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

SN2020qlb (ZTF20abobpcb) is an extensively sampled hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova (SLSN-I) that is among the most luminous (max. Mg = -22:25+/-0:01 magnitudes) and long-rising (77.1 days from explosion to maximum) in a category of the brightest and longest rising SNe currently known in the Universe. SN2020qlb exhibits clear light-curve undulations, a phenomenon seen in other SLSNe but whose physical origin is still a mystery. This Master of Science Thesis discusses both the potential power source of these immense explosions as well as the power mechanisms behind the observed light-curve undulations. A particularly large set of photometric data in both the visible and ultraviolet ranges and covering the first 410 days after explosion, as well as 10 spectra are available for analysis. The explosion date is constrained to +/-0.28 days; the phase and magnitude of the peak luminosity are determined; light-curves for each telescope/filter combination are constructed; the g-r color evolution is plotted; the photospheric temperature and radius evolutions are estimated; the bolometric light-curve is constructed and compared with known power source models; and the rest-frame spectral evolution is plotted for analysis. SN2020qlb is found to meet all the known criteria to be a SLSN-I. A radioactive power source model based on the decay of 56Ni is rejected due to unphysical parameter results. A source model based on the dipole spindown energy deposition of a magnetar fits well the bulk portion of the bolometric light-curve with physically possible parameter values. Two full periods of about 32+/-6 day undulations are found on top of the bulk light-curve after subtracting the smooth model values. Evidence for them is also seen in each filter light-curve. Hypothetical power sources for these striking characteristics from the literature are analyzed and discussed. In summary, a magnetar source for the bulk of the light curve is favored. An external source for the undulations is favored, e.g. interaction with variations in the progenitor star’s circumstellar material, with a caveat that an explanation involving the break-down of model assumptions cannot be ruled out. Together they are favored to explain the entire light-curve of SN2020qlb.

Failed supernovae are the implosive final fates of massive stars, where ablack hole is formed. During the collapse, the proto-neutron star emits a huge number of neutrinos, and when the black hole is finally formed, it engulfs theneutrino-emitting material and the signal is cut off. Inspired by the recent work of Nagakura &amp; Hotokezaka (2020), this thesis improves on some parts of theirs imulation work and further explores the neutrino signal from failed supernovae, using a supercomputer to perform Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, we realized the neutrino flux’ time evolution around black hole formation hasn’t previously been studied well, and so it is investigated here, as well as the plausibility of measuring the black hole mass through the shape of the decay. A new component of the signal is presented, an echo of neutrinos emitted before black hole formation that, due to scattering in supersonic material around the black hole, arrive with a time delay of up to 15 ms, and with a significantly higher average energy, for heavy lepton neutrinos around 50 MeV.

<p> Core-collapse supernovae are among the most consequential astronomical events. They impact galaxy evolution, chemical enrichment of the Universe, and the creation of exotic objects (e.g., black holes and neutron stars). However, aspects of supernovae such as explosion asymmetry and progenitor mass loss are not well understood. Young, nearby supernova remnants are excellent laboratories to uniquely constrain some these fundamental properties. In this thesis, I investigate two nearby oxygen-rich supernova remnants and measure the proper motion of their ejecta to estimate their center of expansions and explosion ages. These properties are important for determining central compact object ‘kick’ velocities, guiding searches for surviving companions, and creating 3D remnant reconstructions. </p> <p><br></p> <p>I estimate the center of expansion and age of two supernova remnants, 1E0102.2-7219 (E0102) and N132D utilizing two epochs of Hubble Space Telescope imaging to measure the proper motion of their ejecta. For E0102, the proper motions show evidence for a nonhomologous expansion, which combined with spectral observations, support the idea that this remnant is expanding into an asymmetric circumstellar environment. Using the new proper-motion derived age and center of expansion, I provide a new ‘kick’ velocity estimate for E0102’s candidate neutron star. For N132D, I measure the proper motion of the ejecta both visually and using a novel computer vision procedure which identifies and measures the proper motions of the knots. I find that N132D’s ejecta are still ballistic, along with evidence of explosion asymmetry. My results represent the first proper-motion derived center of expansion and age of N132D. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Finally, I investigate diffuse interstellar bands observed towards progenitor candidates of core-collapse supernovae to test whether time variability can be a possible probe of the mass loss and surrounding environments of these systems. I find evidence of time variability in diffuse interstellar band carriers located in two of these environments. This is especially unusual as diffuse interstellar bands are normally attributed to the interstellar medium. These findings imply that the sources of these bands are closer to the stellar objects than previously thought and can provide insight into the currently unknown sources of diffuse interstellar bands. </p>

The interaction of supernova (SN) ejecta with the circumstellar medium (CSM) drives a strong shock wave into the CSM. These shocks are ideal places where effective particle acceleration and magnetic field amplification can take place. The accelerated relativistic particles, in the presence of magnetic field, could emit a part of their energy via synchrotron radiation in radio wavelengths. The flux of this radiation, when compared with observations, gives an estimate of the CSM density. This could either be the particle density ($\rm n_{ISM}$) in case of the SN exploding in a constant density medium, characteristic of interstellar medium, or pre-SN mass loss rate ($\mdot$) of the progenitor system for a wind medium. In this work we have modeled the synchrotron luminosities and compared that with the radio upper limits measured for the Type Ia SNe 2011fe and 2014J. Assuming equipartition of energy between electric and magnetic fields, with 10$\%$ of the thermal shock energy in each field, we found a very low density medium, having $\rm n_{ISM} &lt; \sim $ 0.35 $\ccc$,around both the SNe. In terms of $\mdot$ this implies an upper limit of $10^{-9}$ \msunyr for a wind velocity of 100 \kms. From the measurements of H I column density it could be expected that $\rm n_{ISM} \sim $ 1 $\ccc$ around both the SNe. If this is the true value close to the SNe, this would indicate that the energy density in magnetic field is less than that presumed for energy equipartition. The progenitors of both SNe 2011fe and 2014J are not clear. However previous studies have pointed toward a few potential  channels. Here, we have compared the CSM densities estimated by our models with that predicted by those different plausible formation channels and have tried to constrain the amplification of magnetic fields in SN shocks.