Prospects for X-ray Line Studies of Supernova Radioactivity

Mark Leising(Clemson University)

Abstract

Nucleosynthesis theory as developed over the past fifty years is remarkably successful, and deserves more detailed observational constraints. Besides the real-time neutrino signatures of the nuclear reactions, counting new nuclei among the debris of explosions is about the best diagnostic we can hope for. This is the well-documented promise of gamma-ray line astronomy of radioactivity, which is mostly unrealized due to sensitivity limitations of the first-generation instruments flown to date.

An alternative approach to counting newly synthesized nuclei is to look for the characteristic K X-rays following electron-capture decay of proton-rich isotopes synthesized in supernova explosions. There are several promising candidate isotopes at current X-ray spectrometer sensitivities. Among these are explosive Si-burning products ⁵³Mn, ⁵⁵Fe, and ⁵⁹Ni. We outline the prospects for detecting these isotopes with Chandra and XMM-Newton in the interstellar medium and in individual supernova remnants.

CATEGORY: SUPERNOVAE, SUPERNOVA REMNANTS AND ISOLATED NEUTRON STARS