Signatures of A Companion Star in Type Ia Supernovae

TL;DR

This study uses multi-dimensional radiation transfer simulations to explore observable signatures of non-degenerate companion stars in Type Ia supernovae, aiming to identify features that confirm their presence.

Contribution

It introduces detailed simulations of SN ejecta-companion interactions, revealing observational signatures that differ from previous predictions and can help constrain progenitor systems.

Findings

Variations in optical colors depend on viewing angle.

Hydrogen lines are difficult to detect, but Pβ in infrared spectra shows promise.

Predicted observational trends differ from earlier studies.

Abstract

While type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) have been used as precise cosmological distance indicators, their progenitor systems remain unresolved. One of the key questions is if there is a non-degenerate companion star at the time of a thermonuclear explosion of a white dwarf (WD). In this paper, we investigate if an interaction between the SN ejecta and the companion star may result in observable footprints around the maximum brightness and thereafter, by performing multi-dimensional radiation transfer simulations based on hydrodynamic simulations of the interaction. We find that such systems result in variations in various observational characteristics due to different viewing directions, while the predicted behaviors (redder and fainter for the companion direction) are opposite to what were suggested by the previous study. The variations are generally modest and within observed scatters. However, the model predicts trends between some observables different from observationally derived, thus a large sample of SNe Ia with small calibration errors may be used to constrain the existence of such a companion star. The variations in different colors in optical band passes can be mimicked by external extinctions, thus such an effect could be a source of a scatter in the peak luminosity and derived distance. After the peak, hydrogen-rich materials expelled from the companion will manifest themselves in hydrogen lines. H$\alpha$ is however extremely difficult to identify. Alternatively, we find that P$_{\beta}$ in post-maximum near-infrared spectra can potentially provide powerful diagnostics.