Abstract

We present a study of one-dimensional planar detonations in white dwarf material at varying compositions of C, O, and Ne, motivated by recent stellar evolution models which predict hybrid white dwarf stars with a C, O core inside an O, Ne shell. At a given density and composition, we integrate the Zel'dovich, von Neumann, During (ZND) equations while varying the strength of support for overdriven detonations to determine the detonation velocity corresponding to the sonic point. The pressure, density, and composition structure in the region behind the shock front for a barely overdriven detonation then characterizes steady-state burning and provides time scales that can be used to calibrate a combustion model for use in simulations of thermonuclear supernovae. This calibration will enable a future study of hybrid C, O, Ne white dwarf stars as possible progenitors for some Type Ia supernovae.