Conditions for Superwind Classes of Super Star Clusters

Abstract

Mechanical feedback from young massive stars in super star clusters contributes to the formation of superwinds and superbubbles in star-forming regions. We conduct hydrodynamic simulations using the non-equilibrium ionization package maihem to explore how outflow velocity, mass-loading, metallicity, and ambient density can affect the occurrence of catastrophic cooling. To predict optical and UV emission lines, we apply the photoionization code cloudy to the physical conditions predicted by our hydrodynamic simulations. Our results could be useful for characterizing catastrophic cooling in starburst regions like the nearby Green Peas and distant star-forming galaxies.