Optical observations of the fast declining Type Ib supernova iPTF13bvn

Abstract

We present optical UBVRI photometry and medium resolution spectroscopy of the type Ib supernova iPTF13bvn, spanning a phase of $\sim$ $-13\,$d to $+71\,$d with respect to $B$-band maximum. The post maximum decline rates indicate a fast decline with $\Delta m_{15}(B) = 1.82$. Correcting for a galactic extinction $E(B-V){\rm_{MW}}=0.045$ and host galaxy extinction of $E(B-V){\rm_{host}}=0.17$, the absolute $V$-band magnitude peaks at M$_V=-17.23\, \pm \,0.20$. The bolometric light curve indicates that $\sim 0.09$ M$_{\odot}$ of $^{56}$Ni was synthesized in the explosion. The earliest spectrum ($-13$d) shows the presence of He~{\sc i} 5876 \AA\ feature at a velocity of $\sim$15000 km s$^{-1}$, which falls rapidly by the time the SN approaches the epoch of B-band maximum. The photospheric velocity near maximum light, as indicated by the Fe~{\sc ii} 5169~\AA\ feature, is $\sim 9000$ km s$^{-1}$. The estimate for the $^{56}$Ni mass, together with the estimates for the ejected mass ($M_{\rm{ej}}$) and kinetic energy of the explosion ($E_{\rm{k}}$) indicate that iPTF13bvn is a low luminosity type Ib supernova, with a lower than average ejected mass and kinetic energy. Our results suggest that the progenitor of iPTF13bvn is inconsistent with a single Wolf-Rayet star.