Abstract
We explore how the laminar flame speed of degenerate C/O thermonuclear burning during a type Ia supernova depends on the composition of the white dwarf. Type Ia supernovae are currently the premier standard candle for measuring distances to redshift ≲1.6. The currently favored scenario for this supernovae is the thermonuclear incineration of a C/O white dwarf. Recent observations suggest that there may be more than one population of progenitor, and it has been suggested the peak luminosity may depend on the composition of the progenitor white dwarf. Of particular interest is 22Ne, which is formed from CNO elements during core He burning of the progenitor star and therefore reflects the metallicity of the progenitor. We find that the laminar flame speed of a C/O mixture increases linearly with the abundance of 22Ne when the abundance of 22Ne is small. The faster and narrower laminar flame enlarges the lengthscale at which turbulent eddies can disrupt the burn. As a result, the addition of 22Ne might lower the density at which a transition to distributed burning occurs.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of Science |
State | Published - 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | 9th International Symposium on Nuclear Astrophysics - Nuclei in the Cosmos, NIC 2006 - Geneva, Switzerland Duration: Jun 25 2006 → Jun 30 2006 |
Other
Other | 9th International Symposium on Nuclear Astrophysics - Nuclei in the Cosmos, NIC 2006 |
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Country/Territory | Switzerland |
City | Geneva |
Period | 6/25/06 → 6/30/06 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General