Inferring the core-collapse supernova explosion mechanism with gravitational waves

Powell, J., Gossan, S. E., Logue, J. and Heng, I. S. (2016) Inferring the core-collapse supernova explosion mechanism with gravitational waves. Physical Review D, 94(12), 123012. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevD.94.123012)

Abstract

A detection of a core-collapse supernova (CCSN) gravitational-wave (GW) signal with an Advanced LIGO and Virgo detector network may allow us to measure astrophysical parameters of the dying massive star. GWs are emitted from deep inside the core, and, as such, they are direct probes of the CCSN explosion mechanism. In this study, we show how we can determine the CCSN explosion mechanism from a GW supernova detection using a combination of principal component analysis and Bayesian model selection. We use simulations of GW signals from CCSN exploding via neutrino-driven convection and rapidly rotating core collapse. Previous studies have shown that the explosion mechanism can be determined using one LIGO detector and simulated Gaussian noise. As real GW detector noise is both nonstationary and non-Gaussian, we use real detector noise from a network of detectors with a sensitivity altered to match the advanced detectors design sensitivity. For the first time, we carry out a careful selection of the number of principal components to enhance our model selection capabilities. We show that with an advanced detector network we can determine if the CCSN explosion mechanism is driven by neutrino convection for sources in our Galaxy and rapidly-rotating core collapse for sources out to the Large Magellanic Cloud.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Gravitational waves, Novae and supernovae.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Heng, Professor Ik Siong and Powell, Miss Jade
• Authors: Powell, J., Gossan, S. E., Logue, J., and Heng, I. S.
• Subjects: Q Science > QB Astronomy; Q Science > QC Physics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Research Centre: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
• Research Group: Institute for Gravitational Research
• Journal Name: Physical Review D
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• ISSN: 2470-0010
• ISSN (Online): 2470-0029
• Published Online: 27 December 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 American Physical Society
• First Published: First published in Physical Review D 94(12): 123012
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
62434	1	Investigations in Gravitational Radiation / Particle Astrophysics Capital equipment	Sheila Rowan	Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)	ST/L000946/1	S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY