Interaction-powered supernovae: Rise-time versus peak-luminosity correlation and the shock-breakout velocity

Eran O. Ofek, Iair Arcavi, David Tal, Mark Sullivan, Avishay Gal-Yam, Shrinivas R. Kulkarni, Peter E. Nugent, Sagi Ben-Ami, David Bersier, Yi Cao, S. Bradley Cenko, Cia, Annalisa De Cia, Alexei V. Filippenko, Claes Fransson, Mansi M. Kasliwal, Russ Laher, Jason Surace, Robert Quimby, Ofer Yaron

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Interaction of supernova (SN) ejecta with the optically thick circumstellar medium (CSM) of a progenitor star can result in a bright, long-lived shock-breakout event. Candidates for such SNe include Type IIn and superluminous SNe. If some of these SNe are powered by interaction, then there should be a specific relation between their peak luminosity, bolometric light-curve rise time, and shock-breakout velocity. Given that the shock velocity during shock breakout is not measured, we expect a correlation, with a significant spread, between the rise time and the peak luminosity of these SNe. Here, we present a sample of 15 SNe IIn for which we have good constraints on their rise time and peak luminosity from observations obtained using the Palomar Transient Factory. We report on a possible correlation between the R-band rise time and peak luminosity of these SNe, with a false-alarm probability of 3%. Assuming that these SNe are powered by interaction, combining these observables and theory allows us to deduce lower limits on the shock-breakout velocity. The lower limits on the shock velocity we find are consistent with what is expected for SNe (i.e., ∼104 km s-1). This supports the suggestion that the early-time light curves of SNe IIn are caused by shock breakout in a dense CSM. We note that such a correlation can arise from other physical mechanisms. Performing such a test on other classes of SNe (e.g., superluminous SNe) can be used to rule out the interaction model for a class of events.

Original languageEnglish
Article number154
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume788
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Jun 2014

Keywords

  • stars: mass-loss
  • stars: massive
  • supernovae: general

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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