Multiwavelength Signals From Engine-Driven Supernovae

Abstract: The pulsar-driven supernova model, where the initial radiation is powered by the nebula of a rapidly rotating, highly magnetized neutron star, is commonly used to explain superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) and some gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), but has yet to be confirmed. Quasi-thermal optical supernova emission can not differentiate between different engines (ie. pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) or fallback onto a black hole), but there may be late-phase non-thermal emission unique to a pulsar engine. I’ll overview our theoretical predictions for direct detection of PWN emission in the radio band and indirect detection via dust re-radiation in the infrared, as well as our radio observations that have tested and constrained the model. I’ll also overview some recent optical observations that show evidence for the model and some possible theoretical projects based on predicting similar observations.