Iron Group Elements Research Articles

SN 2000cx and SN 2013bh: extremely rare, nearly twin Type Ia supernovae

The Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) SN 2000cx was one of the most peculiar transients ever discovered, with a rise to maximum brightness typical of a SN Ia, but a slower decline and a higher photospheric temperature. Thirteen years later SN 2013bh (aka iPTF13abc), a near identical twin, was discovered and we obtained optical and near-IR photometry and low-resolution optical spectroscopy from discovery until about 1 month past r-band maximum brightness. The spectra of both objects show iron-group elements (Co II, Ni II, Fe II, Fe III, and high-velocity features [HVFs] of Ti II), intermediate-mass elements (Si II, Si III, and S II), and separate normal velocity features (~12000 km/s) and HVFs (~24000 km/s) of Ca II. Persistent absorption from Fe III and Si III, along with the colour evolution, imply high blackbody temperatures for SNe 2013bh and 2000cx (~12000 K). Both objects lack narrow Na I D absorption and exploded in the outskirts of their hosts, indicating that the SN environments were relatively free of interstellar or circumstellar material and may imply that the progenitors came from a relatively old and low-metallicity stellar population. Models of SN 2000cx, seemingly applicable to SN 2013bh, imply the production of up to ~1 M_Sun of Ni-56 and (4.3-5.5)e-3 M_Sun of fast-moving Ca ejecta.

INVESTIGATION OF THE PUZZLING ABUNDANCE PATTERN IN THE STARS OF THE FORNAX DWARF SPHEROIDAL GALAXY

Many works have found unusual characteristics of elemental abundances in nearby dwarf galaxies. This implies that there is a key factor of galactic evolution that is different from that of the Milky Way (MW). The chemical abundances of the stars in the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy (Fornax dSph) provide excellent information for setting constraints on the models of the galactic chemical evolution. In this work, adopting the five-component approach, we fit the abundances of the Fornax dSph stars, including $\alpha$ elements, iron group elements and neutron-capture elements. For most sample stars, the relative contributions from the various processes to the elemental abundances are not usually in the MW proportions. We find that the contributions from massive stars to the primary $\alpha$ elements and iron group elements increase monotonously with increasing [Fe/H]. This means that the effect of the galactic wind is not strong enough to halt star formation and the contributions from massive stars to $\alpha$ elements did not halted for [Fe/H]$\lesssim$-0.5. The average contributed ratios of various processes between the dSph stars and the MW stars monotonously decrease with increasing progenitor mass. This is important evidence of a bottom-heavy initial mass function (IMF) for the Fonax dSph, compared to the MW. Considering a bottom-heavy IMF for the dSph, the observed relations of [$\alpha$/Fe] versus [Fe/H], [iron group/Fe] versus [Fe/H] and [neutron-capture/Fe] versus [Fe/H] for the dSph stars can be explained.

EFFECT OF A HIGH OPACITY ON THE LIGHT CURVES OF RADIOACTIVELY POWERED TRANSIENTS FROM COMPACT OBJECT MERGERS

The coalescence of compact objects are a promising astrophysical sources of gravitational wave (GW) signals. The ejection of r-process material from such mergers may lead to a radioactively-powered electromagnetic counterpart which, if discovered, would enhance the science return of a GW detection. As very little is known about the optical properties of heavy r-process elements, previous light curve models have adopted opacities similar to those of iron group elements. Here we report that the presence of heavier elements, particularly the lanthanides, increase the ejecta opacity by several orders of magnitude. We include these higher opacities in time dependent, multi-wavelength radiative transport calculations to predict the broadband light curves of one-dimensional models over a range of parameters (ejecta masses from 0.001 to 0.1 solar masses and velocities from 0.1 to 0.3c). We find that the higher opacities lead to much longer duration light curves which can last a week or more. The emission is shifted toward the infrared bands due to strong optical line blanketing, and the colors at later times are representative of a blackbody near the recombination temperature of the lanthanides (T ~ 2500K). We further consider the case in which a second mass outflow, composed of 56Ni, is ejected from a disk wind, and show that the net result is a distinctive two component spectral energy distribution, with a bright optical peak due to 56Ni and an infrared peak due to r-process ejecta. We briefly consider the prospects for detection and identification of these transients.

CARBON DEFLAGRATION IN TYPE Ia SUPERNOVA. I. CENTRALLY IGNITED MODELS

A leading model for Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) begins with a white dwarf near the Chandrasekhar mass that ignites a degenerate thermonuclear runaway close to its center and explodes. In a series of papers, we shall explore the consequences of ignition at several locations within such dwarfs. Here we assume central ignition, which has been explored before, however, the problem is worth revisiting, if only to validate those previous studies and to further elucidate the relevant physics for future work. A perturbed sphere of hot iron ash with a radius of ~100 km is initialized at the middle of the star. The subsequent explosion is followed in several simulations using a thickened flame model in which the flame speed is either fixed --- within the range expected from turbulent combustion --- or based on the local turbulent intensity. Global results, including the explosion energy and bulk nucleosynthesis (e.g. 56Ni of 0.48--0.56 $\Msun$) turn out to be insensitive to this speed. In all completed runs, the energy released by the nuclear burning is adequate to unbind the star, but not enough to give the energy and brightness of typical SNe Ia. As found previously, the chemical stratification observed in typical events is not reproduced. These models produce a large amount of unburned carbon and oxygen in central low velocity regions, which is inconsistent with spectroscopic observations, and the intermediate mass elements and iron group elements are strongly mixed during the explosion.

SUPERNOVA EJECTA IN THE YOUNGEST GALACTIC SUPERNOVA REMNANT G1.9+0.3

G1.9+0.3 is the youngest known Galactic supernova remnant (SNR), with an estimated supernova (SN) explosion date of about 1900, and most likely located near the Galactic Center. Only the outermost ejecta layers with free-expansion velocities larger than about 18,000 km/s have been shocked so far in this dynamically young, likely Type Ia SNR. A long (980 ks) Chandra observation in 2011 allowed spatially-resolved spectroscopy of heavy-element ejecta. We denoised Chandra data with the spatio-spectral method of Krishnamurthy et al., and used a wavelet-based technique to spatially localize thermal emission produced by intermediate-mass elements (IMEs: Si and S) and iron. The spatial distribution of both IMEs and Fe is extremely asymmetric, with the strongest ejecta emission in the northern rim. Fe Kalpha emission is particularly prominent there, and fits with thermal models indicate strongly oversolar Fe abundances. In a localized, outlying region in the northern rim, IMEs are less abundant than Fe, indicating that undiluted Fe-group elements (including 56Ni) with velocities larger than 18,000 km/s were ejected by this SN. But in the inner west rim, we find Si- and S-rich ejecta without any traces of Fe, so high-velocity products of O-burning were also ejected. G1.9+0.3 appears similar to energetic Type Ia SNe such as SN 2010jn where iron-group elements at such high free-expansion velocities have been recently detected. The pronounced asymmetry in the ejecta distribution and abundance inhomogeneities are best explained by a strongly asymmetric SN explosion, similar to those produced in some recent 3D delayed-detonation Type Ia models.

The UV/optical spectra of the Type Ia supernova SN 2010jn: a bright supernova with outer layers rich in iron-group elements

Radiative transfer studies of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) hold the promise of constraining both the time-dependent density profile of the SN ejecta and its stratification by element abundance which, in turn, may discriminate between different explosion mechanisms and progenitor classes. Here we present a detailed analysis of Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet (UV) and ground-based optical spectra and light curves of the SN Ia SN 2010jn (PTF10ygu). SN 2010jn was discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) 15 days before maximum light, allowing us to secure a time-series of four UV spectra at epochs from -11 to +5 days relative to B-band maximum. The photospheric UV spectra are excellent diagnostics of the iron-group abundances in the outer layers of the ejecta, particularly those at very early times. Using the method of 'Abundance Tomography' we have derived iron-group abundances in SN 2010jn with a precision better than in any previously studied SN Ia. Optimum fits to the data can be obtained if burned material is present even at high velocities, including significant mass fractions of iron-group elements. This is consistent with the slow decline rate (or high 'stretch') of the light curve of SN 2010jn, and consistent with the results of delayed-detonation models. Early-phase UV spectra and detailed time-dependent series of further SNe Ia offer a promising probe of the nature of the SN Ia mechanism.

3D deflagration simulations leaving bound remnants: a model for 2002cx-like Type Ia supernovae★

2002cx-like supernovae are a sub-class of sub-luminous Type Ia supernovae. Their light curves and spectra are characterized by distinct features that indicate strong mixing of the explosion ejecta. Pure turbulent deflagrations have been shown to produce such mixed ejecta. Here, we present hydrodynamics, nucleosynthesis and radiative transfer calculations for a 3D full-star deflagration of a Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf. Our model is able to reproduce the characteristic observational features of SN 2005hk (a proto-typical 2002cx-like supernova), not only in the optical, but also in the near-infrared. For that purpose we present, for the first time, five near-infrared spectra of SN 2005hk from -0.2 to 26.6 days with respect to B-band maximum. Since our model burns only small parts of the initial white dwarf, it fails to completely unbind the white dwarf and leaves behind a bound remnant of ~1.03 solar masses -- consisting mainly of unburned carbon and oxygen, but also enriched by some amount of intermediate-mass and iron-group elements from the explosion products that fall back on the remnant. We discuss possibilities for detecting this bound remnant and how it might influence the late-time observables of 2002cx-like SNe.

FAILED-DETONATION SUPERNOVAE: SUBLUMINOUS LOW-VELOCITY Ia SUPERNOVAE AND THEIR KICKED REMNANT WHITE DWARFS WITH IRON-RICH CORES

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) originate from the thermonuclear explosions of carbon-oxygen (C-O) white dwarfs (WDs). The single-degenerate scenario is a well-explored model of SNe Ia where unstable thermonuclear burning initiates in an accreting, Chandrasekhar-mass WD and forms an advancing flame. By several proposed physical processes the rising, burning material triggers a detonation, which subsequently consumes and unbinds the WD. However, if a detonation is not triggered and the deflagration is too weak to unbind the star, a completely different scenario unfolds. We explore the failure of the Gravitationally-Confined Detonation (GCD) mechanism of SNe Ia, and demonstrate through 2D and 3D simulations the properties of failed-detonation SNe. We show that failed-detonation SNe expel a few 0.1 solar masses of burned and partially-burned material and that a fraction of the material falls back onto the WD, polluting the remnant WD with intermediate-mass and iron-group elements, that likely segregate to the core forming an WD whose core is iron rich. The remaining material is asymmetrically ejected at velocities comparable to the escape velocity from the WD, and in response, the WD is kicked to velocities of a few hundred km/s. These kicks may unbind the binary and eject a runaway/hyper-velocity WD. Although the energy and ejected mass of the failed-detonation SN are a fraction of typical thermonuclear SNe, they are likely to appear as sub-luminous low-velocity SNe Ia. Such failed detonations might therefore explain or are related to the observed branch of peculiar SNe Ia, such as the family of low-velocity sub-luminous SNe (SN 2002cx/SN 2008ha-like SNe).

An explanation of the correlations of abundance ratio between neutron-capture elements and iron group elements in Ba stars

The chemical abundances of the Ba stars are excellent information for setting constraints on models of s-processes nucleosynthesis. In this work, we adopt a new analysis approach to determine the relative contributions from individual neutron-capture processes to the elemental abundances of Ba stars. We find that the production of s-process elements should accompany by the production of Cu and Zn, the calculated results on Cu and Zn abundances are in quite good agreement with observed data. The observed [Cu, Zn/Fe]–[s/Fe] correlations of Ba stars can be explained by binary scenario in which Ba stars formed.

Isoelectronic trends of the E1-forbidden decay rates of Al-, Si-, P-, and S-like ions of Cl, Ti, Mn, Cu, and Ge

Working towards a reliable grid of atomic lifetime data on 3s23pk ground configuration levels of Al-, Si-, P-, and S-like ions of iron group elements, measurements on electric-dipole forbidden decays in ions of Cl, Ti, Mn, Cu, and Ge have been done at a heavy-ion storage ring that complement earlier measurements on Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu ions. The data are compared isoelectronically with various predictions, especially those made by the multi-reference Møller–Plesset technique, and with the few results available from other experimental approaches. Apparent perturbations of otherwise smooth isoelectronic trends of some of the data are identified with the occurrence of specific cascades from long-lived 3d levels.

GERMANIUM, ARSENIC, AND SELENIUM ABUNDANCES IN METAL-POOR STARS*

ABSTRACT The elements germanium (Ge, Z = 32), arsenic (As, Z = 33), and selenium (Se, Z = 34) span the transition from charged-particle or explosive synthesis of the iron-group elements to neutron-capture synthesis of heavier elements. Among these three elements, only the chemical evolution of germanium has been studied previously. Here we use archive observations made with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope and observations from several ground-based facilities to study the chemical enrichment histories of seven stars with metallicities −2.6 ⩽ [Fe/H] ⩽ −0.4. We perform a standard abundance analysis of germanium, arsenic, selenium, and several other elements produced by neutron-capture reactions. When combined with previous derivations of germanium abundances in metal-poor stars, our sample reveals an increase in the [Ge/Fe] ratios at higher metallicities. This could mark the onset of the weak s-process contribution to germanium. In contrast, the [As/Fe] and [Se/Fe] ratios remain roughly constant. These data do not directly indicate the origin of germanium, arsenic, and selenium at low metallicity, but they suggest that the weak and main components of the s-process are not likely sources.

Anomalies in the multicritical behavior of staggered magnetic and direct magnetic susceptibilities of iron group dihalides

The temperature dependencies of magnetic response functions of the anhydrous dihalides of iron-group elements are examined in the neighborhood of the multicritical points (tricritical point, critical end point, and double critical end point) within molecular field approximation. Our findings reveal the fact that the spin-12 metamagnetic Ising system exhibits anomalies in the temperature dependence of the magnetic response functions for r<0.3. In addition, we extensively investigated how an inter- and intra-layer exchange interaction ratio influence the magnetic response properties of these systems. Finally, a comparison has been made with related works.

Testing the effects of opacity and the chemical mixture on the excitation of pulsations in B stars of the Magellanic Clouds

The B-type pulsators known as \beta Cephei and Slowly Pulsating B (SPB) stars present pulsations driven by the \kappa mechanism, which operates thanks to an opacity bump due to the iron group elements. In low-metallicity environments such as the Magellanic Clouds, \beta Cep and SPB pulsations are not expected. Nevertheless, recent observations show evidence for the presence of B-type pulsator candidates in both galaxies. We seek an explanation for the excitation of \beta Cep and SPB modes in those galaxies by examining basic input physics in stellar modelling: i) the specific metal mixture of B-type stars in the Magellanic Clouds; ii) the role of a potential underestimation of stellar opacities. We first derive the present-day chemical mixtures of B-type stars in the Magellanic Clouds. Then, we compute stellar models for that metal mixture and perform a non-adiabatic analysis of these models. In a second approach, we simulate parametric enhancements of stellar opacities due to different iron group elements. We then study their effects in models of B stars and their stability. We find that adopting a representative chemical mixture of B stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud cannot explain the presence of B-type pulsators there. An increase of the opacity in the region of the iron-group bump could drive B-type pulsations, but only if this increase occurs at the temperature corresponding to the maximum contribution of Ni to this opacity bump. We recommend an accurate computation of Ni opacity to understand B-type pulsators in the Small Magellanic Cloud, as well as the frequency domain observed in some Galactic hybrid \beta Cep-SPB stars.

ηCarinae: linelist for the emission spectrum of the Weigelt blobs in the 1700 to 10 400 Å wavelength region

Aims. We present line identifications in the 1700 to 10400A region for the Weigelt Blobs B and D, located 0.1 to 0.3 NNW of Eta Carinae. The aim of this work is to characterize the behavior of these luminous, dense gas condensations in response to the broad maximum and short minimum states of Eta Carinae during its 5.54-year spectroscopic period. Methods. The observations were carried out during March 1998, the minimum spectrum, and in February 1999, early maximum spectrum, with the Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (HST/STIS) from 1640 to 10400A using the 52x0.1 aperture centered on Eta Carinae at position angle -28 degrees. Extractions of the reduced spectrum centered on Weigelt B and D, 0.28: in length along the slit, were used to identify the narrow, nebular emission lines, measure their wavelengths and estimate their fluxes. Results. A linelist of 1500 lines is presented for the maximum and minimum states of combined Weigelt blobs B and D. The spectra are dominated by emission lines from the iron-group elements, but include lines from lighter elements. They include parity permitted and forbidden lines. A number of lines are fluorescent lines pumped by H Ly alpha. Other lines show anomalous excitation.

Abundance Analysis of r+s Stars: r-Process Abundance Comparison between r+s Stars and r-rich Stars

ABSTRACTThe chemical abundances of the r + s stars can give us excellent information for setting constraints on models of s- and r-process nucleosynthesis. In this article, we fit the element abundances of 32 r + s or s-rich stars by using a parametric model. We find that the r-process abundance pattern related to r + s stars is similar to the pattern of r-rich stars. On the other hand, the abundance pattern of light elements and iron group elements for the r + s stars is very close to the pattern for weak r-process stars. The r + s stars and r-rich stars are initially formed in the molecular cloud, which had been polluted by weak r-process material. The yields of r-process related to r + s stars are proportional to their metallicity. Although the origin and site of the s-process are quite different from those of the r-process, there is a strong correlation between the enhancement level of the s-process and r-process in r + s stars. This implies that r-process matter accreted from the origin of the r-process, such as AIC or SN 1.5, has an increasing trend with increasing s-process matter accreted from the AGB stars.

56Ni, Explosive Nucleosynthesis, and SNe Ia Diversity

The origin of the iron-group elements titanium to zinc in nature is understood to occur under explosive burning conditions in both Type Ia (thermonuclear) and Type II (core collapse) supernovae. In these dynamic environments, the most abundant product is found to be 56Ni ((τ = 8.5 days) that decays through 56Co (τ = 111.5 days) to 56Fe. For the case of SNe Ia, the peak luminosities are proportional to the mass ejected in the form of 56Ni. It follows that the diversity of SNe Ia reflected in the range of peak luminosity provides a direct measure of the mass of 56Ni ejected. In this contribution, we identify and briefly discuss the factors that can influence the 56Ni mass and use both observations and theory to quantify their impact. We address specifically the variations in different stellar populations and possible distinctions with respect to SNe Ia progenitors.

Integrated study of the thermoluminescence, noble gases, tracks, and radionuclides in the fresh-fallen Ash Creek L6 and Tamdakht H5 chondrites

Thermoluminescence, noble gases, and the tracks of iron-group elements and cosmogenic radionuclides of various half-lives were examined in the fresh-fallen Ash Creek (L6) and Tamdakht (H5) chondrites. The experimental information thus obtained and theoretical simulations were used to study the shock-thermal and exposure histories of the chondrites, to evaluate their preatmospheric sizes and masses, values of ablation, the sizes of their orbits, and to monitor the distribution and variations in cosmic radiation in the heliosphere during the transitional period of minimum between solar cycles 23 and 24.

Ferromagnetic elements by epitaxial growth: A density functional prediction

The periodic table contains only six natural elements with a ferromagnetic ground state. For example, the metal uranium, which is magnetically ordered in many compounds, is paramagnetic in all its known elemental bulk phases. Also, the iron-group elements ruthenium and osmium are known to be bulk paramagnets. We predict by means of density functional calculations that epitaxial growth of uranium, ruthenium, or osmium on suitable substrates may allow stabilization of bulklike films with tetragonal structures showing ferromagnetic order.

The FERRUM project: metastable lifetimes in Cr ii

Parity forbidden radiative transitions from metastable levels are observed in spectra of low-density astrophysical plasmas. These lines are used as probes of the physical conditions, made possible due to the long lifetime of their upper level. In a joint effort, the FERRUM project aims to obtain new and accurate atomic data for the iron-group elements, and part of this project concerns forbidden lines. The radiative lifetimes of the metastable energy levels 3 d4(a 3 D)4 s c4 D 5/2 and 3 d4(a 3 D)4 s c4 D 7/2 of singly ionized chromium have been measured. The experiment has been performed at the ion storage ring CRYRING. We employed a laser-probing technique developed for measuring long lifetimes. In this article, we present the lifetimes of these levels to be t5/2= 1.28(16) s and t7/2= 1.37(7) s, respectively. A comparison with previous theoretical work shows good agreement and the result is discussed in a theoretical context.

Magnetic spots on hot massive stars

Hot luminous stars show a variety of phenomena in their photospheres and winds which still lack clear physical explanation. Among these phenomena are photospheric turbulence, line profile variability (LPV), non-thermal emission, non-radial pulsations, discrete absorption components (DACs) and wind clumping. Cantiello et al. (2009) argued that a convection zone close to the stellar surface could be responsible for some of these phenomena. This convective zone is caused by a peak in the opacity associated with iron-group elements and is referred to as the "iron convection zone" (FeCZ). Assuming dynamo action producing magnetic fields at equipartition in the FeCZ, we investigate the occurrence of subsurface magnetism in OB stars. Then we study the surface emergence of these magnetic fields and discuss possible observational signatures of magnetic spots. Simple estimates are made using the subsurface properties of massive stars, as calculated in 1D stellar evolution models. We find that magnetic fields of sufficient amplitude to affect the wind could emerge at the surface via magnetic buoyancy. While at this stage it is difficult to predict the geometry of these features, we show that magnetic spots of size comparable to the local pressure scale height can manifest themselves as hot, bright spots. Localized magnetic fields could be widespread in those early type stars that have subsurface convection. This type of surface magnetism could be responsible for photometric variability and play a role in X-ray emission and wind clumping.