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Using late-time optical and near-infrared spectra to constrain Type Ia supernova explosion properties

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  • K. Maguire
  • S. A. Sim
  • L. Shingles
  • J Spyromilio
  • A. Jerkstrand
  • M. Sullivan
  • T.W. Chen
  • R. Cartier
  • G. Dimitriadis
  • C. Frohmaier
  • L. Galbany
  • C. P. Gutiérrez
  • G. Hosseinzadeh
  • D. A. Howell
  • C. Inserra
  • R Rudy
  • J. Sollerman
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>1/07/2018
<mark>Journal</mark>Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Issue number3
Volume477
Number of pages16
Pages (from-to)3567-3582
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date30/03/18
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

The late-time spectra of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are powerful probes of the underlying physics of their explosions. We investigate the late-time optical and near-infrared spectra of seven SNe Ia obtained at the VLT with XShooter at > 200 d after explosion. At these epochs, the inner Fe-rich ejecta can be studied. We use a line-fitting analysis to determine the relative line fluxes, velocity shifts, and line widths of prominent features contributing to the spectra ([Fe II], [Ni II], and [Co III]). By focusing on [Fe II] and [Ni II] emission lines in the ~7000-7500 Å region of the spectrum, we find that the ratio of stable [Ni II] to mainly radioactively produced [Fe II] for most SNe Ia in the sample is consistent with Chandrasekharmass delayed-detonation explosion models, as well as sub-Chandrasekhar mass explosions that have metallicity values above solar. The mean measured Ni/Fe abundance of our sample is consistent with the solar value. The more highly ionized [Co III] emission lines are found to be more centrally located in the ejecta and have broader lines than the [Fe II] and [Ni II] features. Our analysis also strengthens previous results that SNe Ia with higher Si II velocities at maximum light preferentially display blueshifted [Fe II] 7155 Å lines at late times. Our combined results lead us to speculate that the majority of normal SN Ia explosions produce ejecta distributions that deviate significantly from spherical symmetry.

Bibliographic note

Publisher Copyright: © 2018 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.