Detailed spectral modeling of a three-dimensional pulsating reverse detonation model:: Too much nickel

We calculate detailed non-LTE synthetic spectra of a pulsating reverse detonation (PRD) model, a novel explosion mechanism for Type Ia supernovae. While the hydro models are calculated in three dimensions, the spectra use an angle-averaged hydro model and thus some of the three-dimensional (3D) details are lost, but the overall average should be a good representation of the average observed spectra. We study the model at three epochs: maximum light, 7 days prior to maximum light, and 5 days after maximum light. At maximum the defining Si II feature is prominent, but there is also a prominent C II feature, not usually observed in normal SNe Ia near maximum. We compare to the early spectrum of SN 2006D, which did show a prominent C II feature, but the fit to the observations is not compelling. Finally, we compare to the postmaximum UV+optical spectrum of SN 1992A. With the broad spectral coverage it is clear that the iron-peak elements on the outside of the model push too much flux to the red and thus the particular PRD realizations studied would be intrinsically far redder than observed SNe Ia. We briefly discuss variations that could improve future PRD models.