Probing the supernova core: gamma-ray spectral simulations

Gamma-rays from the radioactive decay of Ni56 synthesized in supernovae provide a direct probe of properties in the interior of the supernova explosion mechanism. Visibility into the spatial distribution of synthesized Ni56 offers constraints on both core-collapse and thermonuclear supernovae. In core-collapse scenarios, nickel distributions are probing properties of the convective engine, and in type Ia supernovae, the nickel distribution may cast insight as to the ignition mechanisms for the thermonuclear energy generation. The spatial distribution of Ni56 impacts both spectral line features and time evolution of these features in emerging gamma-ray spectra. We present results that include theoretical simulations of gamma-ray spectra and light curves from a methodical study of supernova models with distributions of nickel arising from various engine mechanisms. Monte Carlo methods for gamma-ray transport are paired with a suite of representative core-collapse and thermonuclear supernova models.