Engineering topics

Buchler, J.-R.

Publications and source records attributed to Buchler, J.-R..

5 records

NASA NTRS1975

On presupernova dynamical mass ejection by non-detonated stellar cores

Stars in the range of 4 to 8 solar masses are known to develop degenerate carbon-oxygen cores of about 1.4 solar masses. Arguments are presented why, contrary to past assumption, carbon ignition may not lead to the formation of a detonation wave. Rather, an initially subsonic burning front results which subsequently may be brought under control by adiabatic expansion. This dynamic phase leads to a centrally incinerated and expanded core. The loosely bound red-giant envelope is ejected to form an extended nebula. Neutrino cooling of the core finally induces collapse. Provided that sufficient energy is liberated in the dynamic formation of a neutron star, a supernova event will result. The distended nebula is ideally suited for the production of the visible supernova light curves. Thus, carbon nondetonation may give a viable alternative evolution to supernovae that avoids the impasse encountered by the detonation-disrupted models.

Buchler, J.-R.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Electron-ion relaxation in a dense plasma

The microscopic physics of the thermonuclear runaway in highly degenerate carbon-oxygen cores is investigated to determine if and how a detonation wave is generated. An expression for the electron-ion relaxation time is derived under the assumption of large degeneracy and extreme relativity of the electrons in a two-temperature plasma. Since the nuclear burning time proves to be several orders of magnitude shorter than the relaxation time, it is concluded that in studying the structure of the detonation wave the electrons and ions must be treated as separate fluids.

Littleton, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Envelope dynamics of iron-core supernova models

Wilson (1971) has found that the neutrino transport mechanism is unable to generate a supernova explosion in stars with collapsing iron cores. The present work uses Wilson's analysis to investigate the behavior of the overlying potentially explosive layers which Wilson omitted. The outer boundary of the core of Wilson's models moves in such a manner as to deliver a shock to the base of the envelope. We have numerically followed the progress of such shocks into the envelope of a realistic model obtained from evolutionary calculations. We find that only shocks so strong as to be inconsistent with our treatment are capable of ejecting material. For reasonable shocks the nuclear burning does not proceed rapidly at densities below 1,000 kg/cu cm, and the nuclear energy released is less than the shock energy in all models that come near to ejecting matter.

Barkat, Z.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Carbon detonation supernovae

Arguments aimed at linking main sequence stars in the mass range 4-8 solar masses with type II supernovae and pulsars are presented. In this regard, the problematic evolution of the growing carbon cores before ignition is found to be best rationalized in terms of convective Urca losses. Some calculations on the parameters of carbon detonation models are listed, and the use of a standard numerical hydrodynamic code to deal with these models is discussed.

Buchler, J.-R.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Neutron-star formation in the carbon-detonation supernova.

Neutrino losses, such as those driven by the convective Urca process, may affect the evolution of stars in the mass range from 4 to 8 solar masses so as to lead to collapse of their degenerate carbon/oxygen cores. A corresponding hydrodynamic model is computed which leads to the formation of a 1.3 to 1.4 solar mass neutron star with the expulsion of a small fraction of the mass, about 0.l solar mass at about 20,000 km/sec into the overlying hydrogen envelope. This sets the stage for the Ostriker-Gunn mechanism in which Type II supernovae and pulsars are formed.

Wheeler, J. C.↗