Parametric transition from deflagration to detonation in stellar medium

Peter V. Gordon, Leonid Kagan, and Gregory Sivashinsky
Phys. Rev. E 103, 033106 – Published 17 March 2021

Abstract

The nature of thermonuclear explosions of white-dwarf stars is a fundamental astrophysical issue, the first principle interpretation of which is still commonly regarded as an unresolved problem. There is a general consensus that stellar explosions are a manifestation of the deflagration-to-detonation transition of an outward propagating self-accelerating thermonuclear flame subjected to instability-induced corrugations. A similar problem arises in unconfined terrestrial flames where a positive feedback mechanism leading to the pressure runaway has been identified. The present study is an application of this finding to the stellar environment. Notwithstanding a substantial modification of the equation of state the runaway effect endures. Approaching the runaway point the pretransition flame may stay perfectly subsonic, which challenges the view that to ensure the transition the flame should cross the threshold of Chapman-Jouguet deflagration.

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  • Received 27 November 2020
  • Accepted 1 March 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.103.033106

©2021 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Fluid DynamicsGravitation, Cosmology & Astrophysics

Authors & Affiliations

Peter V. Gordon1,*, Leonid Kagan2,†, and Gregory Sivashinsky2,‡

  • 1Department of Mathematical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA
  • 2School of Mathematical Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel

  • *gordon@math.kent.edu
  • Corresponding author: kaganleo@tauex.tau.ac.il
  • grishas@tauex.tau.ac.il

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Issue

Vol. 103, Iss. 3 — March 2021

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