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David Branch

Publications and source records attributed to David Branch.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
arXiv2000

Analysis of the Type IIn Supernova 1998S: Effects of Circumstellar Interaction on Observed Spectra

We present spectral analysis of early observations of the Type IIn supernova 1998S using the general non-local thermodynamic equilibrium atmosphere code \tt PHOENIX}. We model both the underlying supernova spectrum and the overlying circumstellar interaction region and produce spectra in good agreement with observations. The early spectra are well fit by lines produced primarily in the circumstellar region itself, and later spectra are due primarily to the supernova ejecta. Intermediate spectra are affected by both regions. A mass-loss rate of order $\dot M \sim 0.0001-0.001$\msol yr$^{-1}$ is inferred for a wind speed of 100-1000 \kmps. We discuss how future self-consistent models will better clarify the underlying progenitor structure.

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arXiv2000

SN 1984A and Delayed Detonation Models of Type Ia Supernovae

SN 1984A shows unusually large expansion velocities in lines from freshly synthesized material, relative to typical Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia). SN 1984A is an example of a group of SNe Ia which have very large blue-shifts of the P-Cygni features, but otherwise normal spectra. We have modeled several early spectra of SN 1984A with the multi-purpose NLTE model atmosphere and spectrum synthesis code, PHOENIX. We have used as input two delayed detonation models: CS15DD3 (Iwamoto et al. 1999) and DD21c (Hoeflich, Wheeler & Thielemann 1998). These models show line expansion velocities which are larger than that for a typical deflagration model like W7, which we have previously shown to fit the spectra of normal SNe Ia quite well. We find these delayed detonation models to be reasonable approximations to large absorption feature blue-shift SNe Ia, like SN 1984A. Higher densities of newly synthesized intermediate mass elements at higher velocities, v > 15,000 km/s, are found in delayed detonation models than in deflagration models. We find that this increase in density at high velocities is responsible for the larger blue-shifts in the synthetic spectra. We show that the variations in line width in observed SNe Ia are likely due to density variations in the outer, high-velocity layers of their atmospheres.

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arXiv2000

On the Spectroscopic Diversity of Type Ia Supernovae

A comparison of the ratio of the depths of two absorption features in the spectra of TypeIa supernovae (SNe Ia) near the time of maximum brightness with the blueshift of the deep red Si II absorption feature 10 days after maximum shows that the spectroscopic diversity of SNe Ia is multi-dimensional. There is a substantial range of blueshifts at a given value of the depth ratio. We also find that the spectra of a sample of SNe Ia obtained a week before maximum brightness can be arranged in a ``blueshift sequence'' that mimics the time evolution of the pre-maximum-light spectra of an individual SN Ia, the well observed SN 1994D. Within the context of current SN Ia explosion models, we suggest that some of the SNe Ia in our sample were delayed-detonations while others were plain deflagrations.

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arXiv1999

Metallicity Effects in NLTE Model Atmospheres of Type Ia Supernovae

We have calculated a grid of photospheric phase atmospheres of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) with metallicities from ten times to one thirtieth the solar metallicity in the C+O layer of the deflagration model, W7. We have modeled the spectra using the multi-purpose NLTE model-atmosphere and spectrum-synthesis code, PHOENIX. We show models for the epochs 7, 10, 15, 20, and 35 days after explosion. When compared to observed spectra obtained at the approximately corresponding epochs these synthetic spectra fit reasonably well. The spectra show variation in the overall level of the UV continuum with lower fluxes for models with higher metallicity in the unburned C+O layer. This is consistent with the classical surface cooling and line blocking effect due to metals in the outer layers of C+O. The UV features also move consistently to the blue with higher metallicity, demonstrating that they are forming at shallower and faster layers in the atmosphere. The potentially most useful effect is the blueward movement of the Si II feature at 6150 Angstrom with increasing C+O layer metallicity. We also demonstrate the more complex effects of metallicity variations by modifying the 54Fe content of the incomplete burning zone in W7 at maximum light. We briefly address some shortcomings of the W7 Finally, we identify that the split in the Ca H+K feature produced in W7 and observed in some SNe Ia is due to a blending effect of Ca II and Si II and does not necessarily represent a complex abundance or ionization effect in Ca II. amodel when compared to observations.

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arXiv1999

Spectral Models of the Type Ic SN 1994I in M51

We present detailed non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) synthetic spectra for comparison with a time series of observed optical spectra of the Type Ic supernova 1994I which occurred in M51. With the exceptions of Si I and S I, we treat the important species in the formation of the spectrum in full NLTE. We present results for both a hydrodynamic model that has been fit to the light curve and for an illustrative custom crafted model that is more massive. Both models give reasonable fits to the overall observed spectra; however, neither is able to reproduce all the observed features. Some conspicuous observed features are absent and some predicted features are unobserved. No model that we have explored is able to satisfactorily reproduce the observed infrared feature near 1 micron on April 15, 1994 (+7d), which has been attributed to the triplet He I lambda 10830 transition. The low-mass hydrodynamic model produces an infrared feature with a blend of He I, C I, O I, and Si I--II lines, but it predicts a strong unobserved absorption feature near 6100 Angstroms due to Fe III, and the observed feature just blueward of 6000 Angstroms most likely due to Na D is not reproduced. The more massive model does a better job of reproducing the observed infrared lineshape, but also predicts the unobserved feature near 6100 Angstroms. The early-time spectrum of the low-mass model is far too blue; thus, a more massive model may be slightly favored. Since the predicted infrared feature is produced by a blend of so many elements and there is no overwhelming evidence for other helium features such as lambda 5876, it may be premature to conclude that SNe Ic unambiguously contain helium. Thus, we conclude that pure C+O cores are still viable progenitors for SNe Ic.

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arXiv1998

Monte Carlo Simulation of the Galactic Al-26 Gamma-Ray Map

The observed map of 1.809 MeV gamma-rays from radioactive Al-26 (Oberlack et al, 1996) shows clear evidence of Galactic plane origin with an uneven distribution. We have simulated the map using a Monte Carlo technique together with simple assumptions about the spatial distributions and yields of Al-26 sources (clustered core-collapse supernovae and Wolf Rayet stars; low- and high-mass AGB stars; and novae). Although observed structures (e.g., tangents to spiral arms, bars, and known star-forming regions) are not included in the model, our simulated gamma-ray distribution bears resemblance to the observed distribution. The major difference is that the model distribution has a strong smooth background along the Galactic plane from distant sources in the disk of the Galaxy. We suggest that the smooth background is to be expected, and probably has been suppressed by background subtraction in the observed map. We have also found an upper limit of 1 Msun to the contribution of flux from low-yield, smoothly distributed sources (low-mass AGB stars and novae).

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arXiv1996

Low Hubble Constant from Type Ia Supernovae by van den Bergh's Method

An interesting way to calibrate the absolute magnitudes of remote Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) that are well out in the Hubble flow, and thus determine the value of the Hubble constant, H_0, has been introduced by van den Bergh. His approach relies on calculations of the peak absolute magnitudes and broad--band colors for SN Ia explosion models. It does not require any corrections for extinction by interstellar dust, and no SNe Ia are excluded on grounds of peculiarity. Within the last few years distances have been determined to the parent galaxies of six SNe Ia by means of Cepheid variables. Cepheid--based distances also have become available for three other SNe Ia if one is willing to use the distance to a galaxy in the same group in lieu of the distance to the parent galaxy itself. Here we determine the value of H_0 in a way that is analogous to that of van den Bergh, but now using Cepheid--based distances instead of calculated light curves. We obtain H_0 = 55 km/s/Mpc. This value, with Lambda=0 and Omega=1, corresponds to a cosmic expansion time of 12 Gyr, which is consistent with several recent determinations of the ages of globular clusters.

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arXiv1996

Type Ia Supernovae as Extragalactic Distance Indicators

Because Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are not perfect standard candles, it is important to be able to use distance-independent observables (DIOs) to define subsets of SNe Ia that are ``nearly standard candles'' or to correct SN Ia absolute magnitudes to make them nearly homogeneous (``standardized candles''). This is not crucial for the measurement of H_0, but it is for the measurement of q_0 and of parent-galaxy peculiar velocities. We discuss the use of various photometric and spectroscopic SN Ia DIOs, and a parent-galaxy DIO, for this purpose. We also discuss the status of the absolute-magnitude calibration of SNe Ia. We find that SNe Ia, whether calibrated by means of (1) Cepheids in their parent galaxies, (2) fitting their optical-ultraviolet spectra with detailed non-LTE model atmosphere calculations, or (3) by considering that the light curve is powered by the decay of radioactive Ni, firmly indicate that the value of H_0 is low, less than or about 60 km/s/Mpc. Some issues regarding the determination of q_0 by means of SNe Ia are discussed briefly. Finally, we conjecture that even if q_0 = 0.5, there probably is no cosmic age problem.

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arXiv1995

Statistical Connections Between the Properties of Type Ia Supernovae and the B--V Colors of Their Parent Galaxies, and the Value of H$_0$

Statistical connections between the properties of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and the B--V colors of their parent galaxies are established. Compared to SNe Ia in blue galaxies [B-V$\la$0.75], SNe Ia in redder galaxies have (1) a wider dispersion in the blueshifts of their Si II $λ$6355 absorption features, ten days after maximum light; (2) more rapidly declining light curves; and (3) lower luminosities. Even when the spectroscopically peculiar, very subluminous SNe Ia such as SN 1991bg are disregarded, SNe Ia in red galaxies are less luminous than those in blue galaxies by about 0.3 magnitudes. When SNe Ia that are thought to have been significantly extinguished by dust in their parent galaxies are disregarded, those in blue galaxies have observational absolute--magnitude dispersions of only $σ_{obs}(M_B)$=0.20 and $σ_{obs}(M_V)$=0.17, which implies that their intrinsic absolute--magnitude dispersions are very small. We use six SNe Ia whose absolute magnitudes have been calibrated by means of Cepheids, which also indicate that the intrinsic absolute--magnitude dispersions of SNe Ia in blue galaxies are very small, to calibrate SNe Ia in blue galaxies and obtain $\rm H_0=57\pm4\ km\ s^{-1}\ Mpc^{-1}$. This value is in excellent agreement with that obtained by Saha et al. (1995b), in spite of the fact that they do not take into account any dependence of SN Ia absolute magnitude on the nature of the parent galaxy. Some implications of the statistical connections between SNe Ia and the colors of their parent galaxies, for identifying the progenitor binary systems of SNe Ia and for using high--redshift SNe Ia to measure q$_0$, are briefly discussed.

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arXiv1995

Evidence for a Spectroscopic Sequence Among SNe Ia

In this Letter we present evidence for a spectral sequence among Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). The sequence is based on the systematic variation of several features seen in the near-maximum light spectrum. This sequence is analogous to the recently noted photometric sequence among SNe Ia which shows a relationship between the peak brightness of a SN Ia and the shape of its light curve. In addition to the observational evidence we present a partial theoretical explanation for the sequence. This has been achieved by producing a series of non-LTE synthetic spectra in which only the effective temperature is varied. The synthetic sequence nicely reproduces most of the differences seen in the observed one and presumably corresponds to the amount of 56Ni produced in the explosion.

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