Gamma-Rays as Probes for the Multi-Dimensionality of Type Ia Supernovae

We present $\gamma$-ray spectra for a set of Type Ia supernovae models. Our study is based on a detailed Monte Carlo transport scheme for both spherical and full 3-D geometries. Classical and new challenges of the $\gamma$ ray astronomy are addressed. We find that $\gamma$-rays are very suitable to reveal the structure of the envelope and, thus, they allow to probe properties of the nuclear burning front and the progenitor, namely its central density and global asphericities. The potential problems are discussed for the quantitative comparison between theoretical and observed line fluxes during the first few months after the explosion.Comment: in Astronomy with Radioactivities,ed.R.Diehl,SpaceScienceRev.,in pres

Near-infrared light curves of type Ia supernovae

Aims. With our time-dependent model atmosphere code PHOENIX, our goal is to simulate light curves and spectra of hydrodynamical models of all types of supernovae. In this work, we simulate near-infrared light curves of SNe Ia and confirm the cause of the secondary maximum. Methods. We apply a simple energy solver to compute the evolution of an SN Ia envelope during the free expansion phase. Included in the solver are energy changes due to expansion, the energy deposition of {\gamma}-rays and interaction of radiation with the material. Results. We computed theoretical light curves of several SN Ia hydrodynamical models in the I, J, H, and K bands and compared them to the observed SN Ia light curves of SN 1999ee and SN 2002bo. By changing a line scattering parameter in time, we obtained quite reasonable fits to the observed near-infrared light curves. This is a strong hint that detailed NLTE effects in IR lines have to be modeled, which will be a future focus of our work. Conclusions. We found that IR line scattering is very important for the near-infrared SN Ia light curve modeling. In addition, the recombination of Fe III to Fe II and of Co III to Co II is responsible for the secondary maximum in the near-infrared bands. For future work the consideration of NLTE for all lines (including the IR subordinate lines) will be crucial.Comment: 5 pages, 12 figures, A&A in pres

VLT Spectropolarimetry of the fast expanding Type Ia SN2006X

Using VLT-FORS1 we performed optical spectropolarimetric observations of the Type Ia SN2006X on 7 pre-maximum epochs (day -10 to day -1) and one post-maximum epoch (+39 days). The SN shows strong continuum interstellar polarization reaching about 8% at 4000A, characterized by a wavelength dependency that is substantially different from that of the Milky-Way dust mixture. Several SN features, like SiII 6355A and the CaII IR triplet, present a marked evolution. The CaII near-IR triplet shows a pronounced polarization (~1.4%) already on day -10 in correspondence with a strong high-velocity feature (HVF). The SiII polarization peaks on day -6 at about 1.1% and decreases to 0.8% on day -1. By day +39 no polarization signal is detected for the SiII line, while the CaII IR triplet shows a marked re-polarization at the level of 1.2%. As in the case of another strongly polarized SN (2004dt), no polarization was detected across the OI 7774A absorption. The fast-expanding SN2006X lies on the upper edge of the relation between peak polarization and decline rate, and it confirms previous speculations about a correlation between degree of polarization, expansion velocity, and HVF strength. The polarization of CaII detected in our last epoch, the most advanced ever obtained for a Type Ia SN, coincides in velocity with the outer boundary of the Ca synthesized during the explosion (15,000-17,000 km/s) in delayed-detonation models. This suggests a large scale chemical inhomogeneity as produced by off-center detonations, a rather small amount of mixing, or a combination of both effects. In contrast, the absence of polarization at the inner edge of the Ca-rich layer (8000-10,000 km/s) implies a substantial amount of mixing in these deeper regions.Comment: 28 pages, 39 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Type Iax Supernovae

Type Iax supernovae (SN Iax), also called SN 2002cx-like supernovae, are the largest class of peculiar white dwarf (thermonuclear) supernovae, with over fifty members known. SN Iax have lower ejecta velocity and lower luminosities, and these parameters span a much wider range, than normal type Ia supernovae (SN Ia). SN Iax are spectroscopically similar to some SN Ia near maximum light, but are unique among all supernovae in their late-time spectra, which never become fully nebular. SN Iax overwhelmingly occur in late-type host galaxies, implying a relatively young population. The SN Iax 2012Z is the only white dwarf supernova for which a pre-explosion progenitor system has been detected. A variety of models have been proposed, but one leading scenario has emerged: a type Iax supernova may be a pure-deflagration explosion of a carbon-oxygen (or hybrid carbon-oxygen-neon) white dwarf, triggered by helium accretion to the Chandrasekhar mass, that does not necessarily fully disrupt the star.Comment: Author version of a chapter in the 'Handbook of Supernovae', edited by A. Alsabti and P. Murdin, Springer. 31 pages, 6 figure

Synthetic Spectra for Type Ia Supernovae at Early Epochs

We present the current status of our construction of synthetic spectra for type Ia supernovae. These properly take into account the effects of NLTE and an adequate representation of line blocking and blanketing. The models are based on a sophisticated atomic database. We show that the synthetic spectrum reproduces the observed spectrum of 'normal' SN-Ia near maximum light from the UV to the near-IR. However, further improvements are necessary before truly quantitative analyses of observed SN-Ia spectra can be performed. In particular, the inner boundary condition has to be fundamentally modified. This is due to the dominance of electron scattering over true absorption processes coupled with the flat density structure in these objectsComment: To appear in "Proceedings of the IAU Colloquium 192 - Supernovae (10 Years of SN1993J)", eds. J.M. Marcaide and K.W. Weile

Spectropolarimetry of the Type Ia SN 2007sr Two Months After Maximum Light

We present late time spectropolarimetric observations of SN 2007sr, obtained with the VLT telescope at ESO Paranal Observatory when the object was 63 days after maximum light. The late time spectrum displays strong line polarization in the CaII absorption features. SN 2007sr adds to the case of some normal Type Ia SNe that show high line polarization or repolarization at late times, a fact that might be connected with the presence of high velocity features at early times

Early-time Spitzer observations of the type II-Plateau supernova, 2004dj

We present mid-infrared observations with the Spitzer Space Telescope of the nearby type II-P supernova, SN 2004dj, at epochs of 89 to 129 days. We have obtained the first mid-IR spectra of any supernova apart from SN 1987A. A prominent [NiII] 6.64 micron line is observed, from which we deduce that the mass of stable nickel must be at least 2.2e10(-4) Msun. We also observe the red wing of the CO-fundamental band. We relate our findings to possible progenitors and favour an evolved star, most likely a red supergiant, with a probable initial mass between ~10 and 15 Msun.Comment: ApJ Letters (accepted

A Catalog of Near Infrared Spectra from Type Ia Supernovae

We present forty-one near infrared (NIR, 0.7-2.5 microns) spectra from normal Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) obtained at epochs ranging from fourteen days before to seventy-five days with respect to the maximum light date in the V-band. All data were obtained at the IRTF using the SpeX instrument. We identify many spectral features, measure the Doppler velocities, and discuss the chemical distribution of explosion products in SNe Ia. We describe procedures for smoothing data, fitting continua, and measuring absorption features to insure consistency for measurement and analysis. This sample provides the first opportunity to examine and compare a large number of SNe Ia in this wavelength region. NIR data are a rich source of information about explosion products whose signatures are blended or obscured in other spectral regions and NIR observations probe a greater radial depth than optical wavelengths. We analyze similarities and differences in the spectra and we show that the progressive development of spectral features for normal SNe Ia in the NIR is consistent with time. Measured Doppler velocities indicate that burning products in SNe Ia are distributed in distinct layers with no large scale mixing. Carbon is not detected in these data, in agreement with previous results with NIR data establishing very low limits on carbon abundance in SNe Ia. Carbon burning products, O and Mg, are plentiful in the outer layers suggesting that the entire progenitor is burned in the explosion. The data provide a resource for investigations of cross-correlations with other data libraries that may further constrain SN Ia physics and improve the effectiveness of SNe Ia as cosmological distance indicators.Comment: Accepted to The Astronomical Journal: 81 pages, 6 tables, 21 figure