X- and gamma-ray signatures of type IA supernovae

Abstract

Using a Monte Carlo code, the hard X-ray continuum and gamma-ray line emissions of various theoretical models of Type Ia supernova explosions are investigated. The influence of the distributions of velocity, mass, Ni-56, and heavy elements on the spectral and temporal evolution of the radiations (ultimately derived from the positrons and gamma-ray lines of the decay chain) is described. For the first 300-400 days of the explosion, the correspondence between the parameters of an explosion model and its hard photon signatures is derived. The effect of mixing instabilities is also studied, and estimates of the future detectability of the derived hard X- and gamma-ray features are presented. It is found that OSEE on the Gamma-Ray Observatory can detect both gamma-ray lines and the hard X-ray continuum from any Type Ia supernova within 10 Mpc of earth. 52 refs.