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Neutron-Star-Black-Hole Binaries Produced by Binary-Driven Hypernovae
Chris L Fryer1, F G Oliveira2,3,4, J A Rueda2,3,4,5
1CCS-2, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|December 20, 2015
Summary
Binary-driven hypernovae (BdHNe) create neutron-star black-hole binaries from collapsing stars. These systems remain bound after supernovae, potentially explaining gravitational waves and ultrashort gamma-ray bursts.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Stellar Evolution
- High-Energy Astrophysics
Background:
- Energetic long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and Type Ic supernovae are linked to binary-driven hypernovae (BdHNe).
- BdHNe originate from tight binaries of carbon-oxygen (CO) cores and neutron-star (NS) companions, a type of ultrastripped binary.
- The NS companion accretes matter during CO core collapse, leading to black hole (BH) formation and GRB emission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the unique binary evolution during supernovae explosions.
- To understand the formation and fate of neutron-star black-hole (NS-BH) binaries in the BdHNe scenario.
- To assess the contribution of these systems to compact merger rates and gravitational wave events.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of binary evolution under hypercritical accretion during supernova explosions.
- Modeling the impact of non-instantaneous mass ejection on binary dynamics.
- Investigating the role of bow shock interactions in angular momentum transfer and orbital braking.
Main Results:
- The hypercritical accretion and non-instantaneous mass ejection significantly alter binary evolution compared to standard compact binary models.
- Bow shock formation during accretion brakes the orbit, ensuring binary systems remain bound even with substantial mass loss.
- BdHNe produce a novel class of NS-BH binaries not accounted for in current population synthesis.
Conclusions:
- BdHNe provide a plausible mechanism for producing energetic GRBs and associated Type Ic supernovae.
- The high binding fraction of resulting NS-BH binaries suggests they are significant contributors to the compact merger rate.
- These systems may be progenitors of gravitational wave events and a new class of ultrashort GRBs.
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