Supernova spectral synthesis modeling: results on nucleosynthesis and exotic explosions
by
Anders Jerkstrand
→
Europe/Stockholm
FC61
FC61
Description
Massive stars play an important role in Astrophysics.They are believed to produce most of the heavy elements in the Universe, injecting these into space when they explode as a supernova. However, little is known about which stars produce which supernovae, what nucleosynthesis products are made in what quantities, and what constraints this has on the explosion mechanism.
I discuss spectral synthesis modeling techniques aimed at determining nucleosynthesis yields and progenitor populations of various supernova classes. I focus on two particular applications : the analysis of explosive burning yields of stable nickel, which has given us a diagnostic of the innermost explosive process right outside the compact object, and the analysis of the new and exotic class of super-luminous supernovae.