A Spallation Model for 44Ti production in Core Collapse Supernovae

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel spallation model involving a neutron star detonation following a core-collapse supernova to explain the observed 44Ti abundance, predicting unique nucleosynthesis signals.

Contribution

It introduces an alternative channel for 44Ti production via a neutron star detonation, differing from standard supernova nucleosynthesis models.

Findings

Achieves ~10^-4 Msun of 44Ti production with specific time delays.

Predicts large production of 7Be and 22Na.

Identifies unique late-time signals in light curves and gamma spectra.

Abstract

Current cc-SN models predict overproduction of 44Ti compared to observations. We present a model for an alternative channel where a cc-SN explosion is followed by a neutron star detonation (Quark Nova or QN), resulting in a spallation reaction of SN ejecta that produces 44Ti. We can achieve a 44Ti production of ~ 10^-4 Msun with our model under the right time delay between the QN and the SN. Our model also produces unique signals not found in standard, cc-SN nucleosynthesis models. Some of these unique signals include a significantly large production of 7Be and 22Na. We discuss some of these signals by analyzing the late time light curve and gamma spectroscopy of our model.