Late Light Curves of Type Ia Supernovae

• Published in: arXiv.org 2001-04
• Main Authors: Milne, Peter A, Lih-Sin The, Leising, Mark D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bolometers; Deposition; Ejecta; Emission spectra; Kinetic energy; Light curve; Line spectra; Luminosity; Photons; Positrons; Supernovae
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.0104185

We extend earlier efforts to determine whether the late (t\(\geq\)60d) light-curves of type Ia SNe are better explained by the escape of positrons from the ejecta or by the complete deposition of positron kinetic energy in a trapping magnetic field We find that applying a filter efficiency correction, derived from measured spectra, to B, V, R, and I light-curves after day 50 can produce a consistent bolometric light-curve. The V band is an accurate indicator of total emission in the 3500\(\AA\) - 9700\(\AA\) range, with a constant fraction (\(\sim\)25%) appearing in the V band after day 50. This suggests that the V band scales with the bolometric luminosity, and that the deposited energy is instantaneously recycled into optical emission during this epoch. Varying bolometric corrections for the other bands are derived. We see significant evolution of the colors of SNe Ia between day 50 and day 170. We suggest that this may be due to the transition from spectra dominated by emission lines from the radioactive nucleus, \(^{56}\)Co, to those from the stable daughter nucleus, \(^{56}\)Fe. We show that the B, V, R, and I band light-curves of SNe Ia after t\(\geq\)60d can be completely explained with energy deposition from \(^{56}\)Co decay photons and positrons if substantial positron escape occurs.