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Article
The Cosmic Gamma-Ray Background from Type Ia Supernovae
The Astrophysical Journal
  • Mark D Leising, Clemson University
  • Donald D Clayton, Clemson University
  • Lih-Sin The, Clemson University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1993
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Abstract

We present an improved calculation of the cumulative gamma-ray spectrum of Type Ia supernovae during the history of the universe. We follow Clayton & Ward (1975) in using a few Friedmann models and two simple histories of the average galaxian nucleosynthesis rate, but we improve their calculation by modeling the gamma-ray scattering in detailed numerical models of SN Ia's. The results confirm that near 1 MeV the SN Ia background may dominate, and that it is potentially observable, with high scientific importance. A very accurate measurement of the cosmic background spectrum between 0.1 and 1.0 MeV may reveal the turn-on time and the evolution of the rate of Type Ia supernova nucleosynthesis in the universe.

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