Dynamics of supernova bounce in laboratory

Area of Science:

• Astrophysics
• Plasma Physics
• High-Energy Density Physics

Background:

• Core-collapse supernovae involve extreme pressures and low entropy conditions.
• Previous laboratory experiments, like laser ignition, did not fully replicate these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate high-explosive (HE) experiments as a novel platform for laboratory astrophysics.
• To study the processes occurring during core-collapse supernovae, particularly the bounce phase.
• To benchmark astrophysical hydrodynamic codes using experimental data.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing high-explosive (HE) experiments to achieve high-pressure compression of macroscopic matter.
• Conducting experiments at low specific entropy, mimicking supernova conditions.
• Employing advanced diagnostics to capture material compression and 3D instabilities.

Main Results:

• Achieved record high pressures in macroscopic matter through HE experiments.
• Observed a bounce phenomenon analogous to supernova core collapse.
• Demonstrated low entropy conditions comparable to supernova simulations.
• Recorded essential non-ideal plasma effects in the equation of state (EOS).
• Documented the development of 3D instabilities during compression.

Conclusions:

• HE experiments offer a unique laboratory setting to study supernova collapse dynamics, especially the bounce.
• The low-entropy conditions in HE experiments closely resemble those in core-collapse supernovae.
• These experiments provide valuable data for validating astrophysical hydrodynamic codes and understanding non-ideal plasma physics.