Core-collapse Supernova Explosions in Active Galactic Nucleus Accretion Disks

Astrophysical events that occur in active galactic nucleus (AGN) disks are believed to differ significantly from the ordinary in the interstellar medium. We show that stars located in the outer region of the AGN disk would explode near the original migration starting points instead of being accreted by the central supermassive black hole owing to the effect of viscosity. AGN disks provide a dense environment for supernova (SN) explosions, which inevitably involve ejecta-disk interactions. In this paper, we investigate the light curves (LCs) of core-collapse SNe that exploded in AGN disks. In addition to the fundamental energy source of the Ni-56-Co-56-Fe-56 decay reaction powering the SN LCs, the forward/reverse shock produced during interactions may contribute significantly to the observed flux. If the stellar winds manage to create a cavity surrounded by a shell near the star before the SN explosion, the ejecta-winds-disk configurations are expected. We present various SN LCs from different types of progenitors and find that the SN LCs are dominated by the radiation of ejecta-disk interaction induced shocks. The resulting SNe in the AGN disk are promising transient sources for UV and optical band detection by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, the Ultraviolet Explorer, and wide-field survey telescopes such as the Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite, the Wide Field Survey Telescope, and the Legacy Survey of Space and Time at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. These detections could aid in the investigation of AGN disks and the associated high-energy transient occurrences.

Automated summary

We study astrophysical events in active galactic nucleus (AGN) disks and find that stars located in the outer region of the AGN disk explode near the original migration starting points due to viscosity, instead of being accreted by the central black hole. AGN disks provide a dense environment for supernova explosions, which involve ejecta-disk interactions. The resulting supernovae in AGN disks are promising sources for UV and optical band detection, aiding in the investigation of AGN disks and high-energy transient occurrences.