# Supernova Polarization and the Type IIn Classification

## TL;DR

This paper explores the polarization properties of Type IIn supernovae, revealing their heterogeneity and potential for subclassification based on spectropolarimetric signatures and circumstellar material characteristics.

## Contribution

It introduces the variability in polarimetric features among SNe IIn and discusses how these differences relate to their classification and circumstellar environments.

## Key findings

- Variety in polarimetric characteristics among SNe IIn.
- Potential correlation between polarization signatures and circumstellar material.
- Implications for subclassification of interacting supernovae.

## Abstract

While the members of the Type IIn category of supernovae are united by the presence of strong multicomponent Balmer emission lines in their spectra, they are quite heterogeneous with respect to other properties such as Balmer line profiles, light curves, strength of radio emission, and intrinsic brightness. We are now beginning to see variety among SNe IIn in their polarimetric characteristics as well, some but not all of which may be due to inclination angle effects. The increasing number of known "hybrid" SNe with IIn-like emission lines suggests that circumstellar material may be more common around all types of SNe than previously thought. Investigation of the correlations between spectropolarimetric signatures and other IIn attributes will help us address the question of classification of "interacting SNe" and the possibility of distinguishing different groups within the diverse IIn subclass.