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Elham Fereidouni

Publications and source records attributed to Elham Fereidouni.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

The 91T/99aa-like Type Ia Supernova 2019vrq, Part II: 3D, Non-LTE, Low-Amplitude, Pulsating Delayed-Detonation Models of a Promising Standard Candle

We analyze the overluminous, 91T/99aa-like Type~Ia SN 2019vrq, based on light curves(LCs) and spectropolarimetric time-series. We employ 3D-radiation-hydrodynamical, full non-LTE simulations of low-amplitude, radially-pulsating-off-center-delayed-detonations(PDD) of a possibly rotating near-M(Ch) mass white dwarf (WD) to reproduce the LCs and spectra. The progenitor originates from a 7 Mo main-sequence star of solar metallicity. The explosion yields 0.86Mo of 56Ni and 0.023Mo of 58Ni. The latter falls a factor of 10 below that of `classical' delayed-detonations for 91T/99aa-like SNe, a diagnostic that is directly testable with JWST. The slow deflagration leaves a bound, pulsating WD. The detonation is triggered at 0.8 Mo. LCs and spectra require an outer 0.11 Mo of unburned material with twice-solar Fe, plausibly the ashes of an earlier, unsuccessful explosion, and low-level mixing of nuclear-statistical-equilibrium(NSE) elements. The spectra reflect early high ionization followed by recombination, with the photosphere shifting from intermediate-mass-element- to NSE-dominated layers about a week before maximum. The early high-velocity (HV) CaII IR3 line (likely produced by an aspherical density shell at 24,000km/s of 0.01 Mo) arises from an ionization sandwich rather than a double structure in abundances. After Ca recombines, the CaII IR3 wing reaches 33,000km/s well beyond the HV component. The low polarization is due to low scattering in an iron-group-dominated photosphere, consistent with asphericities <20% and resulting in a directional luminosity dependence 10-15% from the outer layers, and a dispersion of 35% in total. The LC-shape provides a further probe of asphericity, consistent with the locally tested polarimetry limits and relevant for high-z cosmology.

astro-ph.SR↗

Line Polarization of Si II $λ$6355 Å in Type Ia Supernovae: A New Statistical Approach to Probe the Explosion Physics and Diversity

Spectropolarimetry provides a unique probe of ejecta asphericities, offering direct insights into the underlying explosion physics of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). We analyze the statistical properties of pre-maximum spectropolarimetric data for 24 SNe Ia observed with VLT/FORS, focusing on the Si II $λ$6355 Åline. Previous studies have revealed a correlation between the peak Si II polarization degree and the expansion velocity. Here, we combine these observations with multi-dimensional non-LTE radiative transfer simulations. We consider two asphericity classes: (i) lopsided abundance distributions produced by off-center delayed-detonation transitions in near-$M_{Ch}$ white dwarfs or, for example, WD collisions (Class I), and (ii) global, axisymmetric density asphericities such as those arising from explosions of rapidly rotating WDs or mergers (Class II). Our model grid spans normal to subluminous SNe Ia and successfully reproduces the observed Si II velocity-polarization trend, with higher velocities associated with stronger asphericities. Consistent with observations, transitional SNe Ia and the faint end of the normal SNe Ia population show the highest Si II polarization and are best explained by Class I scenarios. In contrast, subluminous SNe Ia are dominated by Class II asphericities, characterized by lower Si II polarization but significant continuum polarization. The observed distribution of Si II polarization depends on both the observer's viewing angle $θ$ and the intrinsic asphericity. Statistical analysis of these spectropolarimetric snapshots enables the separation of Class I and Class II contributions and highlights the intrinsic diversity among SNe Ia. Our results imply viewing-angle-dependent luminosities in our local sample, which may have implications when using high-redshift SNe Ia as evidence for the need of non-standard cosmology.

astro-ph.HE↗