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Measuring type Ia supernova angular-diameter distances with intensity interferometry

Kim, A G·Nugent, P E·Chen, Xingzhuo·Wang, L·O’Brien, J T
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Abstract

This paper investigates the potential of intensity interferometry, based on the Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect, for measuring supernova sizes and distances. With optimized telescope positioning, observing strategy, and advancements in single-photon detection technology, this method can provide precise angular size measurements of supernovae with apparent magnitudes as bright as 12 mag. For type Ia supernovae, this limiting brightness corresponds to a local volume extending to redshift z∼0.004 and an anticipated discovery rate of approximately 1 event per year. The combination of angular size data with known physical dimensions enables accurate distance determination. Multiple telescope pairs at different relative positions allow tomographic mapping of the ejecta structure while reducing distance uncertainties. As type Ia supernovae serve as standardizable candles for measuring the Universe’s expansion history, combining intensity interferometry distances with the supernova Hubble diagram facilitates measurements of the Hubble constant H0.

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Kim, A G, Nugent, P E, Chen, Xingzhuo, Wang, L, O’Brien, J T. 2025-04-15. Measuring type Ia supernova angular-diameter distances with intensity interferometry. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.111.083047

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