The role of the secondary white dwarf in a double-degenerate double-detonation explosion, in the supernova remnant phase

TL;DR

This study investigates the influence of the secondary white dwarf in double-degenerate supernova explosions and their remnants, revealing observable signatures and effects of nested explosions on remnant morphology and X-ray emission.

Contribution

It introduces the first analysis of nested double-detonation explosions in double white dwarf systems and their signatures in supernova remnants.

Findings

Long-lived conical shadow in SNR ejecta caused by a companion.

Distinct remnant morphology depending on explosion orientation.

Enhanced X-ray emissivity from inner ejecta collision with reverse shock.

Abstract

Type Ia supernovae (SNe) are believed to be thermonuclear explosions of white dwarf (WD) stars, but their progenitor systems and explosion mechanisms are still unclear. Here we focus on double degenerate systems, where two WDs are interacting, and on the double detonation mechanism, where a detonation of a helium shell triggers a detonation of the carbon-oxygen core of the primary WD. We take the results from three-dimensional SN simulations of Pakmor et al 2022 (arXiv:2203.14990) and carry them into the supernova remnant (SNR) phase, until 1500 yr after the explosion. We reveal signatures of the SN imprinted in the SNR morphology. We confirm the impact of a companion on the SNR: its presence induces a conical shadow in the ejecta, that is long lived. Its intersection with the shocked shell is visible in projection as a ring, an ellipse, or a bar, depending on the orientation. New, we test the case of a nested explosion model, in which the explosion of the primary induces the secondary to also explode. As the explosion of the secondary WD is weaker only the primary outer ejecta interact with the ambient medium and form the main SNR shell. The secondary inner ejecta collide with the reverse shock, which enhances the density and thus the X-ray emissivity. The composition at the points of impact is peculiar, since what is revealed are the outer layers from the inner ejecta. This effect can be probed with spatially-resolved X-ray spectroscopy of young SNRs.