http://arxiv.org/abs/1711.03428
The energy source powering the extreme optical luminosity of hydrogen-stripped Superluminous Supernovae (SLSNe-I) is not known, but recent studies have highlighted the case for a central engine. Radio and/or X-ray observations are best placed to track the fastest ejecta and probe the presence of outflows from a central engine. We compile all the published radio observations of SLSNe-I to date and present three new observations of two new SLSNe-I. None were detected. Through modeling the radio emission, we constrain the sub-parsec environments and possible outflows in SLSNe-I. In this sample we rule out on-axis collimated relativistic jets of the kind detected in Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). We constrain off-axis jets with opening angles of 5\arcdeg\ (30\arcdeg) to energies of $\rm{E_k<4\times10^{50}\,erg}$ ($\rm{E_k<10^{50}\,erg}$) in environments shaped by progenitors with mass-loss rates of $\dot{M}<10^{-4}\,M_{\odot}\,{\rm yr}^{-1}$ ($\dot{M}<10^{-5}\,M_{\odot}\,{\rm yr}^{-1}$) for all off-axis angles, assuming fiducial values $\epsilon_e=0.1$ and $\epsilon_B=0.01$. The deepest limits rule out emission of the kind seen in faint un-collimated GRBs (with the exception of GRB\,060218), and from relativistic supernovae. Finally, for the closest SLSN-I SN 2017egm we constrained the energy of an uncollimated non-relativistic outflow like those observed in normal SNe to $E_{\rm k}\lesssim10^{48}$ erg.
D. Coppejans, R. Margutti, C. Guidorzi, et. al.
Fri, 10 Nov 17
20/55
Comments: Submitted to ApJ, 14 pages, 6 figures
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