Spectropolarimetric Diagnostics of Thermonuclear Supernova Explosions
Lifan Wang,1,2*
Dietrich Baade,3
Ferdinando Patat3
Even at extragalactic distances, the shape of supernova ejecta
can be effectively diagnosed by spectropolarimetry. We present
results for 17 type Ia supernovae that allow a statistical study
of the correlation among the geometric structures and other
observable parameters of type Ia supernovae. These observations
suggest that type Ia supernova ejecta typically consist of a
smooth, central, iron-rich core and an outer layer with chemical
asymmetries. The degree of this peripheral asphericity is correlated
with the light-curve decline rate of type Ia supernovae. These
results lend strong support to delayed-detonation models of
type Ia supernovae.
2 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
3 European Southern Observatory, Karl-Schwarzschild-Strasse 2, D-85748 Garching, Germany.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: wang{at}physics.tamu.edu
