Exploring the Impact of the Ejecta Velocity Profile on the Evolution of Kilonova: Diversity of the Kilonova Lightcurves

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal Vol. 958; no. 2; pp. 121 - 127
• Main Authors: Tak, Donggeun, Uhm, Z. Lucas, Gillanders, James H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia The American Astronomical Society 01.12.2023; IOP Publishing
• Subjects: Astrophysics; Density; Ejecta; Evolution; Explosive compacting; Heavy elements; Kilonovae; Line spectra; Neutron stars; Nuclear fusion; Radiative transfer; Supernovae; Velocity; Velocity distribution; Wavelengths
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad06b0

Abstract A kilonova is a short-lived explosive event in the Universe, resulting from the merger of two compact objects. Despite its importance as a primary source of heavy elements through r -process nucleosynthesis, its nature is not well understood due to its rarity. In this work, we introduce a model that determines the density of a radially stratified relativistic ejecta. We apply the model to kilonova ejecta and explore several hypothesized velocity profiles as a function of the merger’s ejection time. These velocity profiles result in diverse density profiles of the ejecta, for which we conduct radiative transfer simulations using tardis with the solar r -process composition. Consequently, we investigate the impact of the ejecta velocity profile on the resulting evolution of the lightcurve and spectra through the line transitions of heavy elements. The change in the rate at which these elements accumulate in the line-forming region leaves its imprint on the kilonova lightcurve at specific wavelengths, causing the lightcurves to decay at different rates. Furthermore, in several profiles, plateau-like behaviors (slow and/or flat decline) are also observed. In conclusion, this work proposes potential scenarios of the evolution of kilonova due to the ejecta velocity profile.