2013MNRAS.428.1020M

We show model light curves of superluminous supernova 2006gy on the assumption that the supernova is powered by the collision of supernova ejecta and a dense circumstellar medium. The initial conditions are constructed based on the shock breakout condition, assuming that the circumstellar medium is dense enough to cause a shock breakout within it. We perform a set of numerical light-curve calculations using the one-dimensional multigroup radiation hydrodynamics code stella. We succeed in reproducing the overall features of the early light curve of SN 2006gy with a circumstellar medium of mass about 15M☉ (the average mass-loss rate is ∼ 0.1M☉yr-1). Thus, the progenitor of SN 2006gy is likely a very massive star. The density profile of the circumstellar medium is not well constrained by light-curve modelling alone, but our modelling disfavours a circumstellar medium formed by steady mass loss. The ejecta mass is estimated to be comparable to or less than 15M☉ and the explosion energy is expected to be more than 4x1051erg. No 56Ni is required to explain the early light curve. We find that multidimensional effects, e.g. Rayleigh-Taylor instability, which is expected to take place in the cool dense shell between the supernova ejecta and the dense circumstellar medium, are important in understanding supernovae powered by shock interaction. We also show the evolution of optical and near-infrared model light curves of high-redshift superluminous supernovae. They can potentially be used to identify SN 2006gy-like superluminous supernovae in future optical and near-infrared transient surveys.