Refined numerical models for multidimensional Type Ia supernova simulations
Abstract
Following up on earlier work on this topic (Reinecke et al. 1999, A&A 347, pp. 724 and 739), we present an improved set of numerical models for simulations of white dwarfs exploding as Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). Two-dimensional simulations were used to test the reliability and numerical robustness of these algorithms; the results indicate that integral quantities like the total energy release are insensitive to changes of the grid resolution (above a certain threshold), which was not the case for our former code. The models were further enhanced to allow fully three-dimensional simulations of SNe Ia. A direct comparison of a 2D and a 3D calculation with identical initial conditions shows that the explosion is considerably more energetic in three dimensions; this is most likely caused by the assumption of axisymmetry in 2D, which inhibits the growth of flame instabilities in the azimuthal direction and thereby decreases the flame surface.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0111475,
title = {Refined numerical models for multidimensional Type Ia supernova simulations},
author = {M. Reinecke and W. Hillebrandt and J. C. Niemeyer},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0111475},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
8 pages, 6 figures, submitted to A&A