Search for surviving companions in type Ia supernova remnants

Abstract

The nature of the progenitor systems of type~Ia supernovae is still unclear. One way to distinguish between the single-degenerate scenario and double-degenerate scenario for their progenitors is to search for the surviving companions. Using a technique that couples the results from multi-dimensional hydrodynamics simulations with calculations of the structure and evolution of main-sequence- and helium-rich surviving companions, the color and magnitude of main-sequence- and helium-rich surviving companions are predicted as functions of time. The surviving companion candidates in Galactic type~Ia supernova remnants and nearby extragalactic type~Ia supernova remnants are discussed. We find that the maximum detectable distance of main-sequence surviving companions (helium-rich surviving companions) is $0.6-4$~Mpc ($0.4-16$~Mpc), if the apparent magnitude limit is 27 in the absence of extinction, suggesting that the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds and the Andromeda Galaxy are excellent environments in which to search for surviving companions. However, only five Ia~SNRs have been searched for surviving companions, showing little support for the standard channels in the singe-degenerate scenario. To better understand the progenitors of type Ia supernovae, we encourage the search for surviving companions in other nearby type Ia supernova remnants.