Christopher J. Fontes

Swift and NuSTAR observations of GW170817: Detection of a blue kilonova

GROWTH observations of GW170817 The gravitational wave event GW170817 was caused by the merger of two neutron stars (see the Introduction by Smith). In three papers, teams associated with the GROWTH (Global Relay of Observatories Watching Transients Happen) project present their observations of the event at wavelengths from x-rays to radio waves. Evans et al. used space telescopes to detect GW170817 in the ultraviolet and place limits on its x-ray flux, showing that the merger generated a hot explosion known as a blue kilonova. Hallinan et al. describe radio emissions generated as the explosion slammed into the surrounding gas within the host galaxy. Kasliwal et al. present additional observations in the optical and infrared and formulate a model for the event involving a cocoon of material expanding at close to the speed of light, matching the data at all observed wavelengths. Science, this issue p. 1565, p. 1579, p. 1559; see also p. 1554 Ultraviolet and x-ray observations of a binary neutron star merger show a hot kilonova but no jet along the line of sight. With the first direct detection of merging black holes in 2015, the era of gravitational wave (GW) astrophysics began. A complete picture of compact object mergers, however, requires the detection of an electromagnetic (EM) counterpart. We report ultraviolet (UV) and x-ray observations by Swift and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array of the EM counterpart of the binary neutron star merger GW170817. The bright, rapidly fading UV emission indicates a high mass (≈0.03 solar masses) wind-driven outflow with moderate electron fraction (Ye ≈ 0.27). Combined with the x-ray limits, we favor an observer viewing angle of ≈30° away from the orbital rotation axis, which avoids both obscuration from the heaviest elements in the orbital plane and a direct view of any ultrarelativistic, highly collimated ejecta (a γ-ray burst afterglow).

Spectra of Type Ia Supernovae from Double Degenerate Mergers

The merger of two white dwarfs (aka double-degenerate merger) has often been cited as a potential progenitor of Type Ia supernovae. Here we combine population synthesis, merger, and explosion models with radiation-hydrodynamics light-curve models to study the implications of such a progenitor scenario on the observed Type Ia supernova population. Our standard model, assuming double-degenerate mergers do produce thermonuclear explosions, produces supernova light curves that are broader than the observed type Ia sample. In addition, we discuss how the shock breakout and spectral features of these double-degenerate progenitors will differ from the canonical bare Chandrasekhar-massed explosion models. We conclude with a discussion of how one might reconcile these differences with current observations.

The Los Alamos suite of relativistic atomic physics codes

The Los Alamos suite of relativistic atomic physics codes is a robust, mature platform that has been used to model highly charged ions in a variety of ways. The suite includes capabilities for calculating data related to fundamental atomic structure, as well as the processes of photoexcitation, electron-impact excitation and ionization, photoionization and autoionization within a consistent framework. These data can be of a basic nature, such as cross sections and collision strengths, which are useful in making predictions that can be compared with experiments to test fundamental theories of highly charged ions, such as quantum electrodynamics. The suite can also be used to generate detailed models of energy levels and rate coefficients, and to apply them in the collisional-radiative modeling of plasmas over a wide range of conditions. Such modeling is useful, for example, in the interpretation of spectra generated by a variety of plasmas. In this work, we provide a brief overview of the capabilities within the Los Alamos relativistic suite along with some examples of its application to the modeling of highly charged ions.

Spectra and light curves of failed supernovae

Astronomers have proposed a number of mechanisms to produce supernova explosions. Although many of these mechanisms are now not considered primary engines behind supernovae (SNe), they do produce transients that will be observed by upcoming ground-based surveys and NASA satellites. Here, we present the first radiation-hydrodynamics calculations of the spectra and light curves from three of these failed SNe: SNe with considerable fallback, accretion-induced collapse of white dwarfs, and energetic helium flashes (also known as type Ia SNe).

Review of the NLTE emissivities code comparison virtual workshop

Abstract We review the first “virtual workshop” designed to compare NLTE emissivities produced by widely differing types of atomic physics codes. A small set of significant results, illustrating the progress that is still to be achieved, is presented. We conclude with some lessons learned and possible avenues for future progress.

A NEW GENERATION OF LOS ALAMOS OPACITY TABLES

We present a new, publicly available set of Los Alamos OPLIB opacity tables for the elements hydrogen through zinc. Our tables are computed using the Los Alamos ATOMIC opacity and plasma modeling code, and make use of atomic structure calculations that use fine-structure detail for all the elements considered. Our equation of state model, known as ChemEOS, is based on the minimization of free energy in a chemical picture and appears to be a reasonable and robust approach to determining atomic state populations over a wide range of temperatures and densities. In this paper we discuss in detail the calculations that we have performed for the 30 elements considered, and present some comparisons of our monochromatic opacities with measurements and other opacity codes. We also use our new opacity tables in solar modeling calculations and compare and contrast such modeling with previous work.

The Los Alamos Supernova Light-curve Project: Computational Methods

We have entered the era of explosive transient astronomy, in which current and upcoming real-time surveys such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, the Palomar Transient Factory, and the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System will detect supernovae in unprecedented numbers. Future telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope may discover supernovae from the earliest stars in the universe and reveal their masses. The observational signatures of these astrophysical transients are the key to unveiling their central engines, the environments in which they occur, and to what precision they will pinpoint cosmic acceleration and the nature of dark energy. We present a new method for modeling supernova light curves and spectra with the radiation hydrodynamics code RAGE coupled with detailed monochromatic opacities in the SPECTRUM code. We include a suite of tests that demonstrate how the improved physics and opacities are indispensable to modeling shock breakout and light curves when radiation and matter are tightly coupled.

Radiative Losses of Solar Coronal Plasmas

A comprehensive set of calculations of the radiative losses of solar coronal plasmas is presented. The Los Alamos suite of atomic structure and collision codes is used to generate collisional data for 15 coronal elements. These data are used in the Los Alamos plasma kinetics code ATOMIC to compute the radiative power loss as a function of electron temperature. We investigate the sensitivity of the loss curves to the quality of the atomic data and changes in the coronal elemental abundances, and we compare our results with previous work.

Los Alamos Opacities: Transition from LEDCOP to ATOMIC

This paper discusses the development of the ATOMIC code, a new low to mid Z opacity code, which will replace the current Los Alamos low Z opacity code LEDCOP. The ATOMIC code is based on the FINE code, long used by the Los Alamos group for spectral comparisons in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and for non‐LTE calculations, utilizing the extensive databases from the atomic physics suite of codes based on the work of R. D. Cowan. Many of the plasma physics packages in LEDCOP, such as line broadening and free‐free absorption, are being transferred to the new ATOMIC code. A new equation of state (EOS) model is being developed to allow higher density calculations than were possible with either the FINE or LEDCOP codes. Extensive modernization for both ATOMIC and the atomic physics code suites, including conversion to Fortran 90 and parallelization, are under way to speed up the calculations and to allow the use of expanded databases for both the LTE opacity tables and the non‐LTE calculations. Future pl...

Electron impact excitation of the argon 3p54s configuration: differential cross-sections and cross-section ratios

New electron-impact differential cross-section (DCS) and DCS ratio measurements for the excitation of the four levels making up the 3p54s configuration of argon are reported at incident electron energies of 14, 15, 17.5, 20, 30, 50 and 100 eV. These cross-sections were obtained using a conventional high resolution electron spectrometer. Elastic electron scattering from argon was used as a calibration standard. Electron–helium DCSs were used to determine the instrumental transmission of the spectrometer. Further checks of the relative shape of these DCS measurements were made using the method of gas mixtures (Ne mixed with Ar). We also present results from new calculations of these DCSs using the R-matrix method, the unitarized first-order many-body theory, the semi-relativistic distorted-wave Born approximation, and the relativistic distorted-wave method. Comparison with available experimental DCSs and DCS ratios is also presented.