Quark-Novae Ia in the Hubble diagram: implications for dark energy

The accelerated expansion of the Universe was proposed through the use of Type-Ia supernovae （SNe） as standard candles. The standardization depends on an empirical correlation between the stretch/color and peak luminosity of the light curves. The use of Type-Ia SNe as standard candles rests on the assumption that their properties （and this correlation） do not vary with redshift. We consider the possibility that the majority of Type-Ia SNe are in fact caused by a Quark-Nova detonation in a tight neutron-star-CO-white-dwarf binary system, which forms a Quark-Nova Ia （QN-Ia）. The spin-down energy injected by the Quark-Nova remnant （the quark star） contributes to the post-peak light curve and neatly explains the observed correlation between peak luminosity and light curve shape. We demonstrate that the parameters describing QN-Ia are NOT constant in redshift. Simulated QN-Ia light curves provide a test of the stretch/color correlation by comparing the true distance modulus with that determined using SN light curve fitters. We determine a correction between the true and fitted distance moduli, which when applied to Type-Ia SNe in the Hubble diagram recovers the ΩM = 1 cosmology. We conclude that Type-Ia SNe observations do not necessitate the need for an accelerating expansion of the Universe （if the observed SNe Ia are dominated by QNe Ia） and by association the need for dark energy.     

The influence of host galaxy morphology on the properties of Type Ia supernovae from the JLA compilation

The observational cosmology with distant Type Ia supernovae (SNe) as standard candles claims that the Universe is in accelerated expansion, caused by a large fraction of dark energy. In this paper we investigate the SN Ia environment, studying the impact of the nature of their host galaxies on the Hubble diagram fitting. The supernovae (192 SNe) used in the analysis were extracted from Joint-Light-curves-Analysis (JLA) compilation of high-redshift and nearby supernovae which is the best one to date. The analysis is based on the empirical fact that SN Ia luminosities depend on their light curve shapes and colors. We confirm that the stretch parameter of Type Ia supernovae is correlated with the host galaxy type. The supernovae with lower stretch are hosted mainly in elliptical and lenticular galaxies. No significant correlation between SN Ia colour and host morphology was found. We also examine how the luminosities of SNe Ia change depending on host galaxy morphology after stretch and colour corrections. Our results show that in old stellar populations and low dust environments, the supernovae are slightly fainter. SNe Ia in elliptical and lenticular galaxies have a higher α (slope in luminosity-stretch) and β (slope in luminosity-colour) parameter than in spirals. However, the observed shift is at the 1-σ uncertainty level and, therefore, can not be considered as significant. We confirm that the supernova properties depend on their environment and that the incorporation of a host galaxy term into the Hubble diagram fit is expected to be crucial for future cosmological analyses.     

Gravitational lensing of type Ia supernovae by galaxy clusters

We propose a method to remove the mass-sheet degeneracy that arises when the mass of galaxy clusters is inferred from gravitational shear. The method utilizes high-redshift standard candles that undergo weak lensing. Natural candidates for such standard candles are type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia).
When corrected with the light-curve shape (LCS), the peak magnitude of SNe Ia provides a standard candle with an uncertainty in apparent magnitude of Δ m ≃0.1–0.2. Gravitational magnification of a background SN Ia by an intervening cluster would cause a mismatch between the observed SN Ia peak magnitude compared with that expected from its LCS and redshift. The average detection rate for SNe Ia with a significant mismatch of ≥2Δ m behind a cluster at z ≃0.05–0.15 is about 1–2 supernovae per cluster per year at J , I , R ≲25–26.
Since SNe are point-like sources for a limited period, they can experience significant microlensing by massive compact halo objects (MACHOs) in the intracluster medium. Microlensing events caused by MACHOs of ∼10⁻⁴ M⊙ are expected to have time-scales similar to that of the SN light curve. Both the magnification curve by a MACHO and the light curve of a SN Ia have characteristic shapes that allow us to separate them. Microlensing events caused by MACHOs of smaller mass can unambiguously be identified in the SN light curve if the latter is continuously monitored. The average number of identifiable microlensing events per nearby cluster ( z ≲0.05) per year is ∼0.02 ( f /0.01), where f is the fraction of the cluster mass in MACHOs of masses 10⁻⁷< M _macho/M⊙<10⁻⁴.     

The template type Ia supernova 1996X

UBVRIJ photometry and optical spectra of the type Ia SN 1996X obtained at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) during a 1-yr-long observational campaign are presented, and supplemented by late-time Hubble Space Telescope (HST) photometry. Spectroscopically, SN 1996X appears to be a 'normal' SN Ia. The apparent magnitude at maximum was     and the colour     The luminosity decline rate,     is close to average for a SN Ia. The best estimate of the galactic extinction is     and there is evidence that reddening within the parent galaxy is negligible.
Detailed comparison of the light and colour curves of various 'normal' SNe Ia shows that the assumption that multicolour light curves can be described simply as a one-parameter family is not perfect. Together with problems in the calibration of the templates, this may explain the discrepancies in the distance modulus derived adopting different calibrations of the absolute magnitude versus light-curve shape relations. Indeed, we found that M _B ranges from −19.08 to −19.48 and μ ranges from 32.02 to 32.48 depending on the method used.
Computations of model light-curve and synthetic spectra for both early and late times confirm that 1996X is a normal type Ia SN and that a satisfactory fit can be obtained using a W7 progenitor structure only if we adopt the short distance. A larger distance would imply too large a Ni mass for this fainter than average SN Ia.     

高速Ia型超新星的蓝色超出: 星周介质的尘埃散射

Ia型超新星起源于碳氧白矮星在质量接近钱德拉塞卡极限时的热核爆炸,并被广泛地用作宇宙学距离的标准烛光.然而, Ia型超新星的前身星系统和爆炸机制还存在很多不明确的地方.近几十年来, Ia型超新星的星周环境得到了越来越多的关注.星周介质的空间分布性质为探究Ia型超新星的物理起源提供了重要线索.同时星周尘埃的散射会在Ia型超新星晚期的光变曲线、光谱和偏振等方面产生可观测效应.光谱上正常的Ia型超新星可以分成两类:喷射物速度正常和高速Ia型超新星.对比两者的光变曲线可以发现高速Ia型超新星在光极大后几个月内有明显颜色偏蓝的超出.该蓝色超出可以通过星周介质中的尘埃散射拟合得到.同时, Ia型超新星晚期光谱的拟合可以限制星周尘埃的颗粒大小等性质,晚期的偏振信号可以有效地限制星周尘埃的空间分布.拟合结果表明针对Ia型超新星晚期的多次图像偏振观测是揭示其星周尘埃环境特征的重要手段.     

Testing dark energy with the Advanced Liquid-mirror Probe of Asteroids, Cosmology and Astrophysics

The Advanced Liquid-mirror Probe of Asteroids, Cosmology and Astrophysics (ALPACA) is a proposed 8-m liquid-mirror telescope surveying  ∼1000 deg²  of the Southern hemisphere sky. It will be a remarkably simple and inexpensive telescope that none the less will deliver a powerful sample of optical data for studying dark energy. The bulk of the cosmological data consist of nightly, high signal-to-noise ratio, multiband light curves of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). At the end of the 3-yr run, ALPACA is expected to collect  ≳100 000  SNe Ia up to   z ∼ 1  . This will allow us to reduce present systematic uncertainties affecting the standard-candle relation. The survey will also provide several other data sets such as the detection of baryon acoustic oscillations in the matter power spectrum and shear weak-lensing measurements. In this preliminary analysis, we forecast constraints on dark energy parameters from SNe Ia and baryon acoustic oscillations. The combination of these two data sets will provide competitive constraints on the dark energy parameters under minimal prior assumptions. Further studies are needed to address the accuracy of weak-lensing measurements.     

Monte‐Carlo simulation of a possible correlation between the estimated luminosity distances and internal extinctions of type Ia supernovae

This paper describes a Monte Carlo simulation of type Ia supernova data. It was shown earlier that the data of SNe Ia might contain a possible correlation between the estimated luminosity distances and internal extinctions. This correlation was shown by different statistical investigations of the data. In order to remove observational biases (for example the effect of the detection limit of the observing instrument) and to test the reality of the effect found earlier we developed a simple routine which simulates extinction values, redshifts and absolute magnitudes for Ia supernovae. We pointed out that the correlation found earlier in the real data between the internal extinction and luminosity distance does not occur in the simulated sample. Furthermore, it became obvious that the detection limit of the observing devices used in supernova projects does not affect the far end of the redshift‐luminosity distance relationship of Ia supernovae. This result strengthens the earlier conclusions of the authors that SN Ia supernovae alone do not support the existence of dark energy. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Are Type Ia Supernovae Reliable Distance Indicators？

Recent applications of type Ia supernovae(SNe Ia)in cosmology have successfully revealed the accelerating expansion of the universe.However,as distance indicators used in measuring the expansion history of the universe and probing the nature of dark energy,these objects must pass more strict tests.We propose a K-S test to investigate if there exists any systematic bias when deriving the luminosity distances under the standard candle assumption. Two samples,one comprising 71 high-redshift SNe Ia and the other,44 nearby ones,are used in our investigation.We find that it is likely there exists a bias in the adopted samples,which is probably caused by a systematic error,e.g.in the color parameter used in the luminosity calibration and a bias may be caused by the SN evolution or by varying properties of the dust surrounding the SNe Ia.     

Distance measurements as a probe of cosmic acceleration

A major recent development in observational cosmology has been an accurate measurement of the luminosity distance–redshift relation out to redshifts z =0.8 from Type Ia supernova standard candles. The results have been argued as evidence for cosmic acceleration. It is well known that this assertion depends on the assumption that we know the equation of state for all mass–energy other than normal pressureless matter; popular models are based either on the cosmological constant or on the more general quintessence formulation. However, this assertion also depends on a number of other assumptions, implicit in the derivation of the standard cosmological field equations: large-scale isotropy and homogeneity, the flatness of the Universe, and the validity of general relativity on cosmological scales (where it has not been tested). A detailed examination of the effects of these assumptions on the interplay between the luminosity distance–redshift relation and the acceleration of the Universe is not possible unless one can define the precise nature of the failure of any particular assumption. However a simple quantitative investigation is possible and reveals a number of considerations about the relative importance of the different assumptions. In this paper we present such an investigation. We find that the relationship between the distant-redshift relation and the sign of the deceleration parameter is fairly robust and is unaffected if only one of the assumptions that we investigate is invalid so long as the deceleration parameter is not close to zero (it would not be close to zero in the currently favoured Ω_Λ=1−Ω_matter=0.7 or 0.8 Universe, for example). Failures of two or more assumptions in concordance may have stronger effects.     

Variable equation of state for Bianchi type-VI<Subscript>0</Subscript> dark energy models

We present dark energy models in an anisotropic Bianchi type-VI₀ (B-VI₀) space-time with a variable equation of state (EoS). The EoS for dark energy ω is found to be time dependent and its existing range for derived models is in good agreement with the recent observations of SNe Ia data (Knop et al. in Astrophys. J. 598:102 2003), SNe Ia data with CMBR anisotropy and galaxy clustering statistics (Tegmark et al. in Astrophys. J. 606:702, 2004b) and latest a combination of cosmological datasets coming from CMB anisotropies, luminosity distances of high redshift type Ia supernovae and galaxy clustering (Hinshaw et al. in Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:225, 2009; Komatsu et al. in Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:330, 2009). The cosmological constant Λ is found to be a positive decreasing function of time and it approaches a small positive value at late time (i.e. the present epoch) which is corroborated by results from recent supernovae Ia observations. The physical and geometric aspects of the models are also discussed in detail.     

Gamma-Ray Bursts and Other Observations: Constraints on Cosmographic Parameters and Dark Energy Models

We use the newly released Union2 SNe Ia dataset to constrain cosmographic parameters, namely the deceleration, jerk and snap parameters (q0, j0 and s0), then calibrate the five luminosity relations of Gamma-ray Bursts (GRBs) at redshift z ≤ 1.4. Assuming that the GRB luminosity relations do not evolve with the redshift, we obtain the distance moduli of 66 high-redshift GRBs. At last, we combine the observational datasets including the observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) and the 116 GRBs with known redshifts to constrain some widely-discussed dark energy models. We find that the ΛCDM model is the best according to the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and the JBP model is the best according to the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC).     

Are Type Ia Supernovae Standard Candles?

The use of standard candles for distance measurements is wide spread. Yet, we currently do not know a pure standard candle in astronomy. The concept of standard candles involves not only the secure establishment of a unique luminosity but also a clear observational distinction of the objects as a class. Even Type Ia supernovae, whose maximum luminosity shows amongst the smallest scatter known, need to be normalised to provide accurate distances. Without this normalisation the cosmological claims based on supernovae would not be possible. With a careful normalisation Type Ia supernovae are the best known distance indicators for cosmology to date. This is most easily shown by the small dispersion around the expansion line in the Hubble diagram. Problems with the empirical normalisation remain and a theoretical understanding of this normalisation is missing. This has direct ramifications on systematic uncertainties when deriving cosmological implications from Type Ia supernovae. Improving the understanding of supernova physics is now the prime task to sharpen this tool of observational cosmology. Once the explosion mechanism is revealed a serious discussion of possible evolutionary effects in Type Ia supernovae can start.     

基于γ暴等观测限制宇宙学参数与暗能量模型

利用Union2 557个Ia型超新星数据限制宇宙学参数qo、jo和so,在红移z≤1.4范围内校准5个γ暴(gamma-ray burst,GRB)光度关系.假设γ暴光度关系不随红移演化,得到66个高红移γ暴的距离模数.最后综合利用宇宙微波背景(Cosmic Microwave Background,CMB)辐射观测数据、重子声波震荡(Baryon AcousticOscillations,BAO)观测数据与116个具有红移的γ暴数据限制几个常见的暗能量模型.根据贝叶斯判据(Bayesian Information Criterion,BIC),发现ACDM模型是最好的模型;根据Akaike判据(Akaike Information Criterion,AIC),发现JBP模型是最好的模型.     

How old are SN Ia progenitor systems? New observational constraints on the distribution of time delays from GALEX

The time delay between the formation of the progenitor systems of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and their detonation is a vital discriminant between the various progenitor scenarios that have been proposed for them. We use Sloan Digital Sky Survey optical and Galaxy Evolution Explorer ( GALEX ) ultraviolet observations of the early-type host galaxies of 21 nearby SNe Ia and quantify the presence or absence of any young stellar population to constrain the minimum time delay for each supernova. We find that early-type host galaxies lack 'prompt' SNe Ia with time delays of ≲100 Myr and that ∼70 per cent SNe Ia have minimum time delays of 275 Myr–1.25 Gyr, with a median of 650 Myr, while at least 20 per cent SNe Ia have minimum time delays of at least 1 Gyr at 95 per cent confidence and two of these four SNe Ia are likely older than 2 Gyr. The distribution of minimum time delays observed matches most closely the expectation for the single-degenerate channel with a main sequence donor. Furthermore, we do not find any evidence that subluminous SNe Ia are associated with long time delays.     

Optical and infrared observations of SN 2002dj: some possible common properties of fast-expanding Type Ia supernovae

As part of the European Supernova Collaboration, we obtained extensive photometry and spectroscopy of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) SN 2002dj covering epochs from 11 d before to nearly two years after maximum. Detailed optical and near-infrared observations show that this object belongs to the class of the high-velocity gradient events as indicated by Si, S and Ca lines. The light curve shape and velocity evolution of SN 2002dj appear to be nearly identical to SN 2002bo. The only significant difference is observed in the optical to near-infrared colours and a reduced spectral emission beyond 6500 Å. For high-velocity gradient SNe Ia, we tentatively identify a faster rise to maximum, a more pronounced inflection in the V and R light curves after maximum and a brighter, slower declining late-time B light curve as common photometric properties of this class of objects. They also seem to be characterized by a different colour and colour evolution with respect to 'normal' SNe Ia. The usual light curve shape parameters do not distinguish these events. Stronger, more blueshifted absorption features of intermediate-mass elements and lower temperatures are the most prominent spectroscopic features of SNe Ia displaying high-velocity gradients. It appears that these events burn more intermediate-mass elements in the outer layers. Possible connections to the metallicity of the progenitor star are explored.     

Theoretical light curves of Type II-P supernovae and applications to cosmology

Based on an extensive grid of stellar models between 13 and  25 M_⊙  and a wide range of metallicities, we have studied the light curves of core collapse supernovae, their application to cosmology and their evolutionary effects with redshift. The direct link between the hydrodynamics and radiation transport allows us to calculate monochromatic light curves.
With decreasing metallicity, Z , and increasing mass, progenitors tend to explode as compact blue supergiants (BSG) and produce subluminous supernovae that are approximately 1.5 mag dimmer than normal Type II supernovae (SNe II) with red supergiant (RSG) progenitors. Progenitors with small masses tend to explode as RSGs even at low Z . The consequence for testing the chemical evolution is obvious, namely a strong bias when using the statistics of core collapse supernovae to determine the history of star formation.
Our study is limited in scope with respect to the explosion energies and the production of radioactive Ni. Within the class of extreme SNe II-P supernovae, the light curves are rather insensitive with respect to the progenitor mass and explosion energy compared with analytic models based on parametrized stellar structures. We expect a wider range of brightness due to variations in ⁵⁶Ni because radioactive energy is a significant source of luminosity. However, the overall insensitivity of light curves may allow their use as quasi-standard candles for distance determination.     

超新星在宇宙学中的应用

对Ｉａ超新星在宇宙学中的应用作了述评。蓝Ｉａ超新星具有相对均匀的光谱、光变曲线及峰值光度,是较好的相对距离指示器。利用峰值光度同光变曲线形状或其它与距离无关的可观测量的关系可进一步将Ｉａ超新星校准成精确的距离指示器。一旦它们的绝对光度得到标定,就可以定出哈勃常数Ｈ０。基于对邻近星系Ｉａ超新星的理解,高红移Ｉａ超新星的数据可对宇宙密度参数ΩＭ、ΩＶ及减速因子ｑ０作出限制,并对膨胀宇宙的最终命运作出判     

Constraint on cosmological model with matter creation using complementary astronomical observations

The universe with adiabatic matter creation is considered. It is thought that the negative pressure caused by matter creation can play the role of a dark energy component, and drive the accelerating expansion of the universe. Using the Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) data, the observational Hubble parameter data, the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) data and the Baryonic Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) data, we make constraints on the cosmological parameters, assuming a spatially flat universe. Our results show that the model with matter creation is consistent with the SNe Ia data, while the joint constraints of all these observational data disfavor this model. If the cosmological constant is taken into account, a traditional model without matter creation is favored by the joint observations.     

How rapidly do neutron stars spin at birth? Constraints from archival X-ray observations of extragalactic supernovae

Traditionally, studies aimed at inferring the distribution of birth periods of neutron stars are based on radio surveys. Here we propose an independent method to constrain the pulsar spin periods at birth based on their X-ray luminosities. In particular, the observed luminosity distribution of supernovae (SNe) poses a constraint on the initial rotational energy of the embedded pulsars, via the     correlation found for radio pulsars, and under the assumption that this relation continues to hold beyond the observed range. We have extracted X-ray luminosities (or limits) for a large sample of historical SNe observed with Chandra , XMM and Swift , which have been firmly classified as core-collapse SNe. We have then compared these observational limits with the results of Monte Carlo simulations of the pulsar X-ray luminosity distribution for a range of values of the birth parameters. We find that a pulsar population dominated by millisecond periods at birth is ruled out by the data.     

The C/O ratio of He-accreting carbon-oxygen white dwarfs and type Ia supernovae

Type Ia supernovae(SNe Ia) are thermonuclear explosions of carbon-oxygen white dwarfs(CO WDs), and are believed to be excellent cosmological distance indicators due to their high luminosity and remarkable uniformity. However, there exists a diversity among SNe Ia, and a poor understanding of the diversity hampers the improvement of the accuracy of cosmological distance measurements. The variations of the ratios of carbon to oxygen(C/O) of WDs at explosion are suggested to contribute to the diversity. In the canonical model of SNe Ia, a CO WD accretes matter from its companion and increases its mass till the Chandrasekhar mass limit when the WD explodes. In this work, we studied the C/O ratio for accreting CO WDs. Employing the stellar evolution code MESA, we simulated the accretion of He-rich material onto CO WDs with different initial WD masses and different mass accretion rates. We found that the C/O ratio varies for different cases. The C/O ratio of He-accreting CO WDs at explosion increases with a decreasing initial WD mass or a decreasing accretion rate. The various C/O ratios may, therefore, contribute to the diversity of SNe Ia.