Modeling the Diversity of Type Ia Supernova Explosions

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical model that reproduces the observed diversity of normal Type Ia supernovae, addressing the need for a better understanding of their physical mechanisms to improve cosmological measurements.

Contribution

It introduces a new simulation model that captures the diversity of SNe Ia by incorporating detailed microphysics of thermonuclear combustion.

Findings

The model successfully reproduces observed supernova diversity.

Simulations highlight the importance of microphysical processes.

Results improve understanding of systematics in SN Ia cosmology.

Abstract

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are a prime tool in observational cosmology. A relation between their peak luminosities and the shapes of their light curves allows to infer their intrinsic luminosities and to use them as distance indicators. This relation has been established empirically. However, a theoretical understanding is necessary in order to get a handle on the systematics in SN Ia cosmology. Here, a model reproducing the observed diversity of normal SNe Ia is presented. The challenge in the numerical implementation arises from the vast range of scales involved in the physical mechanism. Simulating the supernova on scales of the exploding white dwarf requires specific models of the microphysics involved in the thermonuclear combustion process. Such techniques are discussed and results of simulations are presented.