The ignition process in type Ia supernovae: numerical simulations of core temperature perturbations

TL;DR

This paper uses 2D hydrodynamical simulations to study how temperature fluctuations in a white dwarf's core influence the ignition process of type Ia supernovae, highlighting the impact of bubble parameters and progenitor composition.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the ignition mechanism of type Ia supernovae through detailed numerical simulations of core temperature perturbations.

Findings

Thermonuclear runaway depends on bubble size and temperature.

Progenitor composition significantly affects ignition conditions.

Simulation results clarify the role of core temperature fluctuations.

Abstract

The onset of the thermonuclear runaway in a Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf, leading to the explosion as a type Ia supernova, is studied with hydrodynamical simulations. We investigate the evolution of temperature fluctuations (``bubbles'') in the WD's convective core by means of 2D numerical simulations. We show how the occurrence of the thermonuclear runaway depends on various bubble parameters. The relevance of the progenitor's composition for the ignition process is also discussed.