Gravity waves accompanying supernova explosions

Abstract

Gravitational radiation arising during the formation of a protoneutron star is studied. Here it is mainly large-scale nonuniformities that develop inside the star. The entropy and density profiles of such nonuniformities resemble the “mushroom cloud” of a nuclear explosion. A bubble of hot neutron matter floats to the surface of the star, like the “mushroom cloud” of an explosion in the earth’s atmosphere. Depending on the symmetry of the problem, from two to six bubbles can float upward at the same time. The characteristic masses of such bubbles are 0.01M⊗ and the radial velocities reach ∼0.1c. The energy radiated in the form of gravitational waves in one cycle of bubbles floating to the surface is ∼10−2M⊗c2−10−10M⊗c2. Such cycles occur repeatedly as the neutron star cools. This phase can last up to seconds. The total energy radiated in the form of gravitational radiation can reach 10−1M⊗c2.