Superbubbles in the Multiphase ISM and the Loading of Galactic Winds

Understand

We use numerical simulations to analyze the evolution and properties of superbubbles (SBs), driven by multiple supernovae (SNe), that propagate into the two-phase (warm/cold), cloudy interstellar medium (ISM).

• We consider a range of mean background densities n_avg=0.1-10 cm^{-3} and intervals between SNe dt_sn=0.01-1 Myr, and follow each SB until the radius reaches (1-2)H, where H is the characteristic ISM disk thickness.
• Except for embedded dense clouds, each SB is hot until a time t_sf,m when the shocked warm gas at the outer front cools and forms an overdense shell.
• Subsequently, diffuse gas in the SB interior remains at T_h 10^6-10^7K with expansion velocity v_h~10^2-10^3km/s (both highest for low dt_sn).