The double-peaked Type Ic supernova 2019cad: another SN 2005bf-like object

Abstract

We present the photometric and spectroscopic evolution of supernova (SN) 2019cad during the first ~100 d from explosion. Based on the light-curve morphology, we find that SN 2019cad resembles the double-peaked Type Ib/c SN 2005bf and the Type Ic PTF11mnb. Unlike those two objects, SN 2019cad also shows the initial peak in the redder bands. Inspection of the g-band light curve indicates the initial peak is reached in ~8 d, while the r-band peak occurred ~15 d post-explosion. A second and more prominent peak is reached in all bands at ~45 d past explosion, followed by a fast decline from ~60 d. During the first 30 d, the spectra of SN 2019cad show the typical features of a Type Ic SN, however, after 40 d, a blue continuum with prominent lines of Si II λ6355 and C II λ6580 is observed again. Comparing the bolometric light curve to hydrodynamical models, we find that SN 2019cad is consistent with a pre-SN mass of 11 M<SUB>⊙</SUB>, and an explosion energy of 3.5 × 10<SUP>51</SUP> erg. The light-curve morphology can be reproduced either by a double-peaked <SUP>56</SUP>Ni distribution with an external component of 0.041 M<SUB>⊙</SUB>, and an internal component of 0.3 M<SUB>⊙</SUB> or a double-peaked <SUP>56</SUP>Ni distribution plus magnetar model (P ~ 11 ms and B ~ 26 × 10<SUP>14</SUP> G). If SN 2019cad were to suffer from significant host reddening (which cannot be ruled out), the <SUP>56</SUP>Ni model would require extreme values, while the magnetar model would still be feasible.