Stellar Core-Merger-Induced Collapse: New Formation Pathways for Black Holes, Thorne-$\dot{\rm Z}$ytkow objects, Magnetars and Superluminous Supernovae

Understand

Most neutron stars (NSs) and black holes (BHs) are believed to be the final remnants in the evolution of massive stars.

• In this study, we propose a new formation channel for the formation of BHs and peculiar NSs (specifically, magnetars and Thorne-$\dot{\rm Z}$ytkow objects [T$\dot{\rm Z}$Os]), which we refer to as the core merger-induced collapse (CMIC) model.
• This model involves the merger at the end of a common-envelope phase of an oxygen/neon/magnesium composition white dwarf and the core of a hydrogen-rich or helium-rich non-degenerate star, leading to the creation of peculiar new types of objects.
• The results of binary population synthesis simulations show that the CMIC channel could make important contributions to the populations of (millisecond) pulsars, T$\dot{\rm Z}$Os, magnetars and BHs.