Estimating Global Ejecta Mass Ratios in Tycho's SNR

Abstract

In this work, as a follow-up to our similar analysis of Kepler's supernova remnant (SNR), we estimate total mass ratios of various ejecta elements in Tycho's SNR using Suzaku X-ray data. In our spectral analysis, we account for uncertainties arising from Suzaku's effective area calibration (5%-15%) and from the unknown filling factors of the various plasma components in our spectral model (1%-10%). We compare our calculated ejecta mass ratios to results from previous X-ray analyses of Tycho's SNR and to the nucleosynthesis results from Type Ia supernova simulations. Our estimated ejecta mass ratios for Tycho's SNR are only consistent with simulations that use a $\sim$90% attenuated ${}^{12}$C${+}^{16}$O reaction rate (as for Kepler's SNR), are inconsistent with simulations involving a double detonation of a thick helium layer, and support a Type Ia explosion of normal luminosity where $\sim$85% of the ejecta has been heated by the reverse shock.

15 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables