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# 1 Introduction

## 1 Introduction

Quantum field theory on noncommutative (NC) spacetime has some intriguing features that result from its nonlocal nature of interactions. The quantum corrections that are effectively regularized in the ultraviolet (UV) by the nonlocality become singular again for some kinematic configurations including the infrared (IR) one. This is the so-called UV/IR mixing problem  that hampers the implementation of the usual renormalization procedure. There are additional problems when time does not commute with space. A direct application of Feynman rules for which the only NC effect is the appearance of NC phases  leads to violation of unitarity . However, as has been shown recently, a proper treatment of perturbation theory in this case does not yield the assumed Feynman rules and unitarity can be maintained without any problem . Another issue with time-space NC is that it seems to lead to acausal effects in scattering . Although there is no solution to this so far, there is a hope that this could be resolved by a proper redefinition of wavefunctions and states in the NC context .

The above interesting results are based on explicit perturbative analysis. In this work we shall study the related issue concerning analytic properties of Green functions and scattering amplitudes by starting from some basic assumptions in NC field theory. In particular we want to know how the Källen-Lehmann spectral representation can be generalized to the NC case, and whether it is still possible to use microcausality to derive simple dispersion relations for scattering amplitudes. As we shall see, the drastic changes in locality and spacetime symmetries will make things not so obvious and present new obstacles especially in deriving a dispersion relation for scattering. Our discussion will also give a clue on how to implement the renormalization program in the presence of the UV/IR mixing.

An essential difference of NC field theory from ordinary theory is that Lorentz invariance is generally lost. Since the latter is one of the basic assumptions in ordinary field theory and facilitates important arguments in deriving dispersion relations, we shall first discuss the new situation regarding spacetime symmetries due to the introduction of noncommutativity, $`[\widehat{x}_\mu ,\widehat{x}_\nu ]=i\theta _{\mu \nu }`$. Our results will be directly applicable to NC scalar field theory formulated in terms of the star product.

First of all, the translational invariance is preserved which guarantees the energy-momentum conservation in all processes. We shall be only concerned in this work with space-space NC. In this case, without loss of generality, we can always choose NC to be restricted in the $`(12)`$-plane; i.e., $`\theta _{12}=\theta _{21}=\theta >0`$, with others vanishing. Since $`\widehat{x}_{0,3}`$ are not involved in NC, invariance in Lorentz boosts remains in the $`3`$-direction. The NC relation $`[\widehat{x}_1,\widehat{x}_2]=i\theta `$ is also invariant under rotations around the axis in the $`3`$-direction. Suppose the NC vector $`\stackrel{}{\theta }`$ is in the normal direction to the NC plane, then the remaining symmetries are summarized as boosts along and rotations around $`\stackrel{}{\theta }`$. In momentum space, typical examples of invariants involving momenta $`p,q`$ and $`\theta _{\mu \nu }`$ include $`p\stackrel{~}{q}`$, $`\stackrel{~}{p}^2`$ and $`\stackrel{~}{p}\stackrel{~}{q}`$, where $`\stackrel{~}{p}_\mu =\theta _{\mu \nu }p^\nu `$ is the NC momentum orthogonal to $`p`$. Denoting the components of the spatial momentum $`\stackrel{}{p}`$ in the $`\stackrel{}{\theta }`$ direction and in the NC plane as $`p_{}`$ and $`\stackrel{}{p}_{}`$ respectively, we have, $`p\stackrel{~}{q}=\stackrel{}{\theta }(\stackrel{}{p}_{}\times \stackrel{}{q}_{})`$, $`\stackrel{~}{p}^2=\theta ^2\stackrel{}{p}_{}^2`$, and $`\stackrel{~}{p}\stackrel{~}{q}=\theta ^2\stackrel{}{p}_{}\stackrel{}{q}_{}`$. These invariants are in addition to the ordinary ones $`p^2`$ and $`pq`$.

For completeness, we also mention briefly the other cases concerning $`\theta _{\mu \nu }`$. For $`\theta _{ij}=0`$, we may choose $`\theta _{03}=\theta _{30}=\theta `$, with others vanishing. The remaining symmetries are precisely the same as in the above case. The mixed case of $`\theta _{0i}0`$ and $`\theta _{ij}0`$ is generally complicated and there are usually no remaining symmetries separately for boosts and rotations except for one special case. Defining $`e^i=\theta ^{0i}`$ and $`b^i=1/2ϵ^{ijk}\theta ^{jk}`$, the special case corresponds to $`\stackrel{}{e}\stackrel{}{b}`$ for which invariance remains in boosts along and rotations around the preferred direction.

The rest of the paper is organized as follows. We study in the next section the two-point function and its spectral representation. A dispersion relation is then written down using the analytic properties implied in the representation. As an example, we demonstrate explicitly in section $`3`$ that the dispersion relation is satisfied for the self-energy at one loop in $`\phi ^3`$ perturbation theory. In section $`4`$ we attempt to derive a dispersion relation for forward scattering amplitudes. To this end we propose a microcausality requirement which is weaker than the usual one but is in accord with our symmetry analysis in this section. Its viability is further exemplified by a perturbative calculation. We show how a new unphysical region arises that hampers any simple dispersion relations for scattering amplitudes. We summarize our results and discuss their implications in the last section.

## 2 Spectral representation

We assume that the usual assumption in ordinary field theory about physical spectrum and its completeness is still a reasonable starting point in space-space NC field theory. The main difference is that only part of relativistic invariance is preserved in NC theory. Our discussion follows the usual development in axiomatic field theory  and is a generalization of the Källen-Lehmann spectral representation to the NC space.

Let us consider the two-point function defined in terms of the Heisenberg scalar field $`\phi `$ and vacuum state $`|\mathrm{\Omega }`$,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill D^{}(x,y)& =& \mathrm{\Omega }|\phi (x)\phi (y)|\mathrm{\Omega }\hfill \\ & =& D^{}(xy),\hfill \end{array}$$
(1)
where translational invariance has been used. Using the completeness relation of the physical spectrum, we have,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill D^{}(z)& =& \underset{\alpha }{}\frac{d^3\stackrel{}{p}}{(2\pi )^32E_{\stackrel{}{p},\alpha }}\left|\mathrm{\Omega }|\phi (0)|\stackrel{}{p},\alpha \right|^2e^{ip_+z}\hfill \\ & =& \underset{\alpha }{}\frac{d^4p}{(2\pi )^3}\tau (p_0)\delta (p^2m_\alpha ^2)\left|\mathrm{\Omega }|\phi (0)|\stackrel{}{p},\alpha \right|^2e^{ipz}.\hfill \end{array}$$
(2)
Here $`z=xy`$, $`p_+^\mu =(E_{\stackrel{}{p},\alpha },\stackrel{}{p})`$ and $`E_{\stackrel{}{p},\alpha }=\sqrt{\stackrel{}{p}^2+m_\alpha ^2}`$ with $`\alpha `$ representing all other quantum numbers specifying a state. $`\tau `$ is the step function; we have reserved $`\theta `$ for the NC parameter.

In ordinary theory the matrix element appearing in the above equation is a Lorentz invariant and depends on $`p`$ only through $`p^2=m_\alpha ^2`$. In the NC case, the symmetry argument is less restrictive so that additional dependence on $`p`$ is permitted. According to our discussion in the previous section, this dependence can occur only in the form of $`\stackrel{~}{p}^2=\theta ^2\stackrel{}{p}_{}^2`$. Inserting the $`\delta `$ function identity, we obtain

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill D^{}(z)& =& _0^{\mathrm{}}𝑑m^2\underset{\alpha }{}\frac{d^4p}{(2\pi )^3}\tau (p_0)\delta (p^2m^2)\delta (m^2m_\alpha ^2)\left|\mathrm{\Omega }|\phi (0)|\stackrel{}{p},\alpha \right|^2e^{ipz}\hfill \\ & =& 𝑑m^2\frac{d^4p}{(2\pi )^3}\tau (p_0)\delta (p^2m^2)e^{ipz}\rho (m^2,\stackrel{~}{p}^2)\hfill \\ & =& 𝑑m^2\rho (m^2,(i\stackrel{~}{})^2)\frac{d^4p}{(2\pi )^3}\tau (p_0)\delta (p^2m^2)e^{ipz}\hfill \\ & =& 𝑑m^2\rho (m^2,(i\stackrel{~}{})^2)D(z,m^2),\hfill \end{array}$$
(3)
where $`(\stackrel{~}{})^2=\theta _{\mu \beta }\theta _\gamma ^\mu _z^\beta _z^\gamma =\theta ^2[(_{z^1})^2+(_{z^2})^2]`$, $`\rho (m^2,\stackrel{~}{p}^2)`$ is the spectral density function for a fixed $`\stackrel{~}{p}^2`$,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \rho (m^2,\stackrel{~}{p}^2)& =& \underset{\alpha }{}\delta (m^2m_\alpha ^2)\left|\mathrm{\Omega }|\phi (0)|\stackrel{}{p},\alpha \right|^2,\hfill \end{array}$$
(4)
and $`D`$ is the usual function defined for free fields,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill D(z,m^2)& =& \frac{d^4p}{(2\pi )^3}\tau (p_0)\delta (p^2m^2)e^{ipz}.\hfill \end{array}$$
(5)
The above representation has interesting physical implications. Let us first consider the following vacuum expectation value of the commutator,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill i\mathrm{\Delta }^{}(z)& =& \mathrm{\Omega }|[\phi (x),\phi (y)]|\mathrm{\Omega }\hfill \\ & =& 𝑑m^2\rho (m^2,(i\stackrel{~}{})^2)i\mathrm{\Delta }(z,m^2),\hfill \end{array}$$
(6)
with $`i\mathrm{\Delta }(z,m^2)=D(z,m^2)D(z,m^2)`$. It is well-known that the distribution $`\mathrm{\Delta }(z,m^2)`$ is singular on the light-cone and vanishes for space-like $`z`$. The subtle point here is that $`\rho (m^2,\stackrel{~}{p}^2)`$ is generally not a polynomial in $`\stackrel{~}{p}^2`$ of finite order. The integrand in the above equation involves derivatives of infinite order and is thus highly nonlocal in spatial $`z`$. It is not clear whether it persists to vanish for space-like $`z`$ after this manipulation of derivatives. A more careful analysis will be given in section $`4`$. The result is that $`\mathrm{\Delta }^{}(z)`$ vanishes when $`z`$ is space-like in the commutative direction, i.e., $`z_0^2<z_{}^2`$.

The second quantity that we would like to explore is the complete Feynman propagator,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill iD_F^{}(z)& =& \mathrm{\Omega }|T(\phi (x)\phi (y))|\mathrm{\Omega }\hfill \\ & =& \tau (z_0)D^{}(z)+\tau (z_0)D^{}(z)\hfill \\ & =& _0^{\mathrm{}}𝑑m^2\rho (m^2,(i\stackrel{~}{})^2)[\tau (z_0)D(z,m^2)+\tau (z_0)D(z,m^2)]\hfill \\ & =& 𝑑m^2\rho (m^2,(i\stackrel{~}{})^2)iD_F(z,m^2),\hfill \end{array}$$
(7)
where $`iD_F`$ is the Feynman propagator for free fields,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill iD_F(z,m^2)& =& \frac{d^4p}{(2\pi )^4}\frac{i}{p^2m^2+iϵ}e^{ipz}.\hfill \end{array}$$
(8)
We stress that the third equality is possible only for $`\theta _{0i}=0`$; otherwise the derivative operation cannot commute with the step function. Transforming into momentum space yields,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill i\widehat{D}_F^{}(k)& =& d^4ze^{ikz}iD_F^{}(z)\hfill \\ & =& _0^{\mathrm{}}𝑑m^2\rho (m^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)d^4ze^{ikz}iD_F(z,m^2)\hfill \\ & =& 𝑑m^2\rho (m^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)i\widehat{D}_F(k^2,m^2),\hfill \end{array}$$
(9)
where $`i\widehat{D}_F(k^2,m^2)=i(k^2m^2+iϵ)^1`$ is the Feynman propagator for free fields in momentum space. In deriving the second equality above, we have employed integration by parts in $`z`$ and ignored spatial surface terms. This was done in the same spirit as we cope with the cyclicity of star products in the action, and is consistent with the energy-momentum conservation which implies that total derivative terms are ignorable in the action. The above equation thus generalizes the Källen-Lehmann representation to the NC space,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \widehat{D}_F^{}(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)& =& _0^{\mathrm{}}𝑑m^2\frac{\rho (m^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)}{k^2m^2+iϵ}.\hfill \end{array}$$
(10)
The NC momentum $`\stackrel{~}{k}`$ appears here as a parametric variable. Thus, the ordinary arguments leading from the above representation to a dispersion relation still apply; namely, for independent but fixed $`\stackrel{~}{k}^2`$, $`\widehat{D}_F^{}(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)`$ is an analytic function in the complex $`k^2`$ plane except for some simple poles and a branch cut in the positive axis due to the occurrence of isolated states and continum thresholds. We can therefore write down the following Hilbert transform,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \widehat{D}_F^{}(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)& =& \frac{1}{\pi }_{\mathrm{}}^{\mathrm{}}𝑑k^2\frac{\mathrm{Im}\widehat{D}_F^{}(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)}{k^2k^2iϵ},\hfill \end{array}$$
(11)
which is the dispersion relation for the two-point Green function on NC space. The lower delimiter in the above equation can be effectively replaced by the squared mass of the lowest physical state. In most physical situations where the integrand does not converge fast enough as $`k^2\mathrm{}`$, subtractions are necessary to make the integral well-defined. We stress that these subtractions in $`k^2`$ must be made for the same fixed $`\stackrel{~}{k}^2`$.

## 3 Dispersion relation for self-energy: a perturbative example

To illustrate analytic properties of the two-point functions studied in the preceding section, we consider here an explicit one-loop example in perturbation theory. A similar analysis has been made previously for massless fields at the same level by a straightforward but complicated computation of loop integrals . Our method will be simpler without actually evaluating loop integrals and more general in that it is applicable to massive fields as well.

The complete Feynman propagator $`\widehat{D}^{}(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)`$ is related to the 1PI self-energy $`\mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)`$ by,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \widehat{D}^{}(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)& =& [k^2m^2\mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)+iϵ]^1.\hfill \end{array}$$
(12)
Note that, as the 1PI functions are defined by Legendre transform from the complete Green functions, this relation itself does not invoke for perturbation theory. $`\mathrm{\Sigma }`$ has similar analytic properties as $`\widehat{D}^{}`$ except that the latter has additional simple poles. We therefore have, for sufficently converging $`\mathrm{\Sigma }`$ at infinity,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)& =& \frac{1}{\pi }_{\mathrm{}}^{\mathrm{}}𝑑k^2\frac{\mathrm{Im}\mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)}{k^2k^2iϵ}.\hfill \end{array}$$
(13)
For $`\mathrm{\Sigma }`$ going to a constant as $`k^2\mathrm{}`$, one subtraction is necessary for the same fixed $`\stackrel{~}{k}^2`$,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)\mathrm{\Sigma }(\mu ^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)& =& \frac{k^2\mu ^2}{\pi }_{\mathrm{}}^{\mathrm{}}𝑑k^2\frac{\mathrm{Im}\mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)}{(k^2k^2iϵ)(k^2\mu ^2iϵ)},\hfill \end{array}$$
(14)
where $`\mu ^2`$ is an arbitrary subtraction point. Now we demonstrate that the above is satisfied at one loop in $`\phi ^3`$ theory.

The self-energy is, in $`n`$ dimensions and up to factors of the coupling constant,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)& =& i\frac{d^n\mathrm{}}{(2\pi )^n}\frac{\mathrm{cos}(\mathrm{}\stackrel{~}{k})+1}{(\mathrm{}^2m^2+iϵ)((\mathrm{}+k)^2m^2+iϵ)}\hfill \\ & =& i_0^1𝑑x\frac{d^n\mathrm{}}{(2\pi )^n}\frac{\mathrm{cos}(\mathrm{}\stackrel{~}{k})+1}{[\mathrm{}^2+k^2x(1x)m^2+iϵ]^2},\hfill \end{array}$$
(15)
where $`k`$ and $`\mathrm{}`$ are the external and loop momentum respectively. For $`\theta _{0i}=0`$, the cosine function does not contain the $`\mathrm{}_0`$ component. There is thus no new obstacle compared to ordinary theory in continuing $`\mathrm{}_0`$ analytically to its imaginary axis. The analytic properties in $`k^2`$ will still be governed by the denominator while the numerator serves to modulate the weight in each direction according to the spatial NC. Using the subscript $`E`$ to indicate the Euclidean loop momentum, we have,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)& =& _0^1𝑑x\frac{d^n\mathrm{}_E}{(2\pi )^n}\frac{\mathrm{cos}(\mathrm{}_E\stackrel{~}{k})+1}{[\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2k^2x(1x)iϵ]^2}\hfill \\ & =& \frac{d}{dm^2}_0^1𝑑z\frac{d^n\mathrm{}_E}{(2\pi )^n}\frac{\mathrm{cos}(\mathrm{}_E\stackrel{~}{k})+1}{\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2k^2(1z^2)/4iϵ},\hfill \end{array}$$
(16)
where we have changed the variable $`xz=12x`$ and noted that the integrand is even in $`z`$. An imaginary part develops when the denominator can vanish in the integrated domain, which is possible only when $`k^24m^2`$,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \mathrm{Im}\mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)& =& \pi \frac{d}{dm^2}_0^1𝑑z\frac{d^n\mathrm{}_E}{(2\pi )^n}[\mathrm{cos}(\mathrm{}_E\stackrel{~}{k})+1]\delta [\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2k^2(1z^2)/4]\hfill \\ & =& \frac{4\pi }{k^2}\frac{d}{dm^2}\frac{d^n\mathrm{}_E}{(2\pi )^n}[\mathrm{cos}(\mathrm{}_E\stackrel{~}{k})+1]_0^1𝑑z\delta (z^2v^2)\hfill \\ & =& \frac{2\pi }{k^2}\frac{d}{dm^2}\frac{d^n\mathrm{}_E}{(2\pi )^n}[\mathrm{cos}(\mathrm{}_E\stackrel{~}{k})+1]v^1\tau (k^24(\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2)),\hfill \end{array}$$
(17)
with $`v=\sqrt{14(\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2)/k^2}`$.

On the other hand, the once-subtracted self-energy is

$$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)\mathrm{\Sigma }(\mu ^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)=(k^2\mu ^2)\frac{d}{dm^2}_0^1𝑑z\frac{d^n\mathrm{}_E}{(2\pi )^n}\hfill \\ \times \frac{[\mathrm{cos}(\mathrm{}_E\stackrel{~}{k})+1](1z^2)/4}{[\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2k^2(1z^2)/4iϵ][\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2\mu ^2(1z^2)/4iϵ]}.\hfill \end{array}$$
(18)
Changing the variable $`zk^2=4(\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2)/(1z^2)`$ gives,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \mathrm{\Sigma }(k^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)\mathrm{\Sigma }(\mu ^2,\stackrel{~}{k}^2)& =& (k^2\mu ^2)\frac{d}{dm^2}\frac{d^n\mathrm{}_E}{(2\pi )^n}[\mathrm{cos}(\mathrm{}_E\stackrel{~}{k})+1]\hfill \\ & \times & _{4(\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2)}^{\mathrm{}}\frac{dk^2}{k^2}\frac{2v^1}{(k^2k^2iϵ)(k^2\mu ^2iϵ)}\hfill \\ & =& (k^2\mu ^2)\frac{d}{dm^2}_{4m^2}^{\mathrm{}}\frac{dk^2}{k^2}\frac{d^n\mathrm{}_E}{(2\pi )^n}[\mathrm{cos}(\mathrm{}_E\stackrel{~}{k})+1]\hfill \\ & \times & v^1\tau (k^24(\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2))\frac{2}{(k^2k^2iϵ)(k^2\mu ^2iϵ)},\hfill \end{array}$$
(19)
with $`v^{}=\sqrt{14(\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2)/k^2}`$. The above equation will be in the desired form if we can pass the operation $`d/dm^2`$ through the integral over $`k^2`$. We show below that this is indeed permitted since the resulting additional term corresponding to evaluating the integrand at $`k^2=4m^2`$ actually vanishes. To see this, consider the relevant radial factor of its $`\mathrm{}_E`$ integral at $`k^2=4m^2(1+\eta )`$ in the limit of $`\eta 0^+`$,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \mathrm{integral}& & 𝑑\mathrm{}_E\mathrm{}_E^{n1}v^1\tau (k^24(\mathrm{}_E^2+m^2))\hfill \\ & & _0^\eta 𝑑yy^{(n2)/2}(\eta y)^{1/2}\hfill \\ & & \eta ^{(n1)/2},\hfill \end{array}$$
(20)
which indeed vanishes as $`\eta 0^+`$. We have ignored the cosine factor which is smooth at $`\mathrm{}_E0`$. Actually, the vanishing of the additional term is just a reflection of the fact that $`\mathrm{Im}\mathrm{\Sigma }`$ vanishes at the physical threshold due to kinematical factors. The dispersion relation eq. $`(\text{14})`$ is thus established at one loop in perturbation theory. We also notice that, since the subtraction is made with respect to $`k^2`$ but for a fixed value of $`\stackrel{~}{k}^2`$, the UV/IR mixing is automatically removed from the relation.

## 4 Dispersion relation for forward scattering

The aim of dispersion relations is to provide useful relations amongst measurable quantities on some basic assumptions and independently of perturbation theory in particular. It is already a difficult task to derive a dispersion relation for a general two-by-two scattering amplitude in axiomatic field theory on ordinary spacetime. While microcausality is a necessary requirement for this, it is usually not sufficient to guarantee simple dispersion relations. The amplitude depends on three Mandelstam variables which are constrained for a physical process. The analytic properties in one variable, which are the central part of dispersion relations, are inevitably entangled with those in other variables, making things involved. When one tries to represent dispersion integrals in terms of measurable quantities, one is usually afflicted with contributions from unphysical domains. In NC field theory the situation becomes more difficult and unclear. Even if we insist on other basic assumptions, we only have part of spacetime symmetries for special cases of $`\theta _{\mu \nu }`$, making the corresponding arguments less powerful. Related to this is the appearance of new variables involving NC momenta on which the amplitude can depend. These variables are not completely free parameters but are more or less constrained by ordinary variables for a physical process. This will cause new difficulties. Nevertheless, we would like to make a first attempt on this topic and show where the new difficulties may arise.

We consider the simplest case of forward scattering of a massless scalar particle against a massive one. This is the analogue of the forward photon-nucleon scattering in ordinary theory which has no unphysical regions in dispersion integrals. We assume that the massive particle is at rest in the reference frame where $`\theta _{\mu \nu }`$ is assigned its value. Note that this is a nontrivial assumption due to the loss of spacetime symmetries; we are only left with boosts in the direction perpendicular to the NC plane and rotations in the plane. And it is the simplest possibility in the sense that we only have one ordinary variable and one NC variable. Following the usual manipulation, the scattering amplitude is,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill 𝒜& =& id^4xe^{ikx}\tau (x_0)M|[j(x),j(0)]|M,\hfill \end{array}$$
(21)
up to terms which do not affect extraction of analytic properties in energy. $`k^\mu =\omega (1,\stackrel{}{e}_k)`$ with $`\stackrel{}{e}_k\stackrel{}{e}_k=1`$ is the four-momentum of the massless scalar with source $`j`$, and $`M`$ is the mass of the massive scalar. Inserting the completeness relation of the physical spectrum and using translational invariance, we have,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill M|j(x)j(0)|M& =& \underset{\alpha }{}\frac{d^3\stackrel{}{p}}{(2\pi )^32E_{\stackrel{}{p},\alpha }}M|j(x)|\stackrel{}{p},\alpha \stackrel{}{p},\alpha |j(0)|M\hfill \\ & =& \underset{\alpha }{}\frac{d^3\stackrel{}{p}}{(2\pi )^32E_{\stackrel{}{p},\alpha }}|M|j(0)|\stackrel{}{p},\alpha |^2e^{iMx_0}e^{ip_+x}.\hfill \end{array}$$
(22)
Denoting as $`f_\alpha (\stackrel{~}{p}^2)`$ the matrix element squared which depends on $`p`$ only in the form of $`\stackrel{~}{p}^2`$ according to our previous discussion, we obtain,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill M|j(x)j(0)|M& =& \underset{\alpha }{}e^{iMx_0}f_\alpha ((i\stackrel{~}{})^2)D(x,m_\alpha ^2).\hfill \end{array}$$
(23)
For $`\theta _{0i}=0`$, the derivatives do not involve $`x_0`$ so that

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill 𝒜& =& id^4xe^{ikx}\tau (x_0)\underset{\alpha }{}f_\alpha ((i\stackrel{~}{})^2)\left[e^{iMx_0}D(x,m_\alpha ^2)e^{iMx_0}D(x,m_\alpha ^2)\right],\hfill \end{array}$$
(24)
Denoting the sum over $`\alpha `$ as $`i^1f(x_0,x_{}^2,\stackrel{}{x}_{}^2)`$ which can depend on the relevant variables in the indicated way, we arrive at,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill 𝒜& =& d^4xe^{i\omega (x_0\stackrel{}{e}_k\stackrel{}{x})}\tau (x_0)f(x_0,x_{}^2,\stackrel{}{x}_{}^2).\hfill \end{array}$$
(25)
To proceed further, we have to impose some microcausality requirement to provide support properties in eq. $`(\text{25})`$ so that analytic continuation in energy may become possible. Since Lorentz invariance is generally lost on NC space with $`\theta _{0i}=0`$, it seems to make no sense to speak of space-like or time-like intervals when a nonzero interval occurs in the NC plane. As we described in the introduction, however, Lorentz invariance still remains in the normal direction to the NC plane. We thus propose the following microcausality requirement to replace the usual one,

$$[j(x),j(0)]=0,\mathrm{for}x_0^2x_3^2<0,$$
(26)
where we have assumed without loss of generality that NC is restricted to the $`(12)`$-plane. This is a weaker requirement than the usual one in the sense that a smaller region in spacetime is excluded as unphysical: while $`x_0^2x_3^2<0`$ implies $`x^2<0`$, it makes no restriction on $`x_{1,2}`$.

To show the viability of the above assumption, we compute the following commutator which arises at first order in perturbative $`\phi ^3`$ theory ,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill G& =& [(\phi \phi )(x),(\phi \phi )(y)],\hfill \end{array}$$
(27)
where $`\phi `$ is a free field with mass $`m`$. We have

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill G& =& (\phi (x)\phi (y))i\mathrm{\Delta }(z,m^2)+i\mathrm{\Delta }(z,m^2)(\phi (y)\phi (x))\hfill \\ & & +\phi (x)_xi\mathrm{\Delta }(z,m^2)_y\phi (y)+\phi (y)_yi\mathrm{\Delta }(z,m^2)_x\phi (x),\hfill \end{array}$$
(28)
where $`z=xy`$, $`=_x_y`$ and $`_{x(y)}`$ refers to the star product with respect to $`x(y)`$. Since $`\mathrm{\Delta }(z,m^2)=0`$ for $`z^2<0`$, it would be tempting to conclude that $`G`$ also vanishes. But this is actually very subtle due to the presence of the star product which involves derivatives of infinite order. The highly nonlocal character of the star product may very likely prohibit us from setting $`z`$ a space-like value before the multiplication is finished. It is not clear whether it is mathematically possible to circumvent this problem by a proper extension of distributions. Instead, what is clear is that $`G`$ vanishes for $`z_0^2z_3^2<0`$: the star multiplication has nothing to do with $`z_0`$ and $`z_3`$ and is thus commutable with the procedure of setting a value to $`z_0^2z_3^2`$, while $`z_0^2z_3^2<0`$ guarantees $`z^2<0`$ and thus the vanishing of $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ and $`G`$.

The above statement can be made more transparent. Let us consider the following typical quantity appearing in $`G`$,

$$\begin{array}{cc}& (g(x)h(y))D(z,m^2)\hfill \\ \hfill =& (2\pi )^3d^2\stackrel{}{p}_{}\left(g(x)_xe^{+i\stackrel{}{p}_{}\stackrel{}{x}_{}}\right)\left(h(y)_ye^{i\stackrel{}{p}_{}\stackrel{}{y}_{}}\right)\frac{dp_3}{2E_\stackrel{}{p}}e^{i(E_\stackrel{}{p}z_0p_3z_3)},\hfill \end{array}$$
(29)
where $`g,h`$ can be field operators or c-number functions. For $`z_0^2<z_3^2`$, we make a change of variable, $`p_3=\gamma (p_3^{}+\beta E_\stackrel{}{p}^{})`$ with $`\beta =z_0/z_3`$ and $`\gamma =(1\beta ^2)^{1/2}`$, which amounts to a Lorentz boost of the momentum in the $`3`$-direction. Using $`dp_3/E_\stackrel{}{p}=dp_3^{}/E_\stackrel{}{p}^{}`$ and $`E_\stackrel{}{p}z_0p_3z_3=p_3^{}z_3^{}`$, with $`z_3^{}=\gamma ^1z_3`$ and $`z_0^{}=0`$, and dropping the prime in $`\stackrel{}{p}`$, the above becomes

$$\begin{array}{c}(2\pi )^3d^2\stackrel{}{p}_{}\left(g(x)_xe^{+i\stackrel{}{p}_{}\stackrel{}{x}_{}}\right)\left(h(y)_ye^{i\stackrel{}{p}_{}\stackrel{}{y}_{}}\right)\frac{dp_3}{2E_\stackrel{}{p}}e^{+ip_3z_3^{}}.\hfill \end{array}$$
(30)
For $`(g(x)h(y))D(z,m^2)`$, upon $`\stackrel{}{p}\stackrel{}{p}`$, it becomes equal to the above. We thus arrive at,

$$(g(x)h(y))\mathrm{\Delta }(z,m^2)=0,\mathrm{for}z_0^2z_3^2<0.$$
(31)
This calculation also makes it clear that the commutator $`G`$ vanishes for any power of fields when $`z_0^2z_3^2<0`$. This lends perturbative supports to the assumption in eq. $`(\text{26})`$.

Let us now return back to eq. $`(\text{25})`$. Due to the weaker microcausality, the integrand can be nonvanishing for $`x_0>|x_3|`$ ($`x_3=x_{}`$). This is a larger region than the usual forward light cone, where the phase is neither positive- nor negative-definite. The direct analytic continuation to the complex $`\omega `$ plane is thus not possible. To make the phase positive-definite, we first finish integration over $`\stackrel{}{x}_{}`$ and obtain formally,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill 𝒜& =& 𝑑x_0𝑑x_3e^{i(\omega x_0k_3x_3)}\tau (x_0)g(x_0,x_3^2;\omega _{}),\hfill \end{array}$$
(32)
with $`\omega _{}=|\stackrel{}{k}_{}|`$. As the integrand is even in $`x_3`$, we may replace $`k_3`$ by its absolute value,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill 𝒜(\omega ;\omega _{})& =& 𝑑x_0𝑑x_3e^{i(\omega x_0\sqrt{\omega ^2\omega _{}^2}x_3)}\tau (x_0)g(x_0,x_3^2;\omega _{}).\hfill \end{array}$$
(33)
The problem has been reduced to a $`(1+1)`$ dimensional one with an effective mass of $`\omega _{}`$. Let us just press on to see whether it is possible to write down a dispersion relation for $`𝒜`$ as we deal with the forward scattering of massive particles in ordinary theory. Since $`\mathrm{Im}\sqrt{\omega ^2\omega _{}^2}>\mathrm{Im}\omega `$ for $`\mathrm{Im}\omega >0`$, continuation to the upper half of the complex $`\omega `$ plane is still not possible for $`\omega _{}0`$. To identify the problem, we write,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill 𝒜(\omega ;\omega _{})& =& _0^{\mathrm{}}𝑑r𝒜(r,\omega ;\omega _{}),\hfill \end{array}$$
(34)
where

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill 𝒜(r,\omega ;\omega _{})& =& 2\mathrm{cos}\left(r\sqrt{\omega ^2\omega _{}^2}\right)_r^{\mathrm{}}𝑑te^{i\omega t}g(t,r^2;\omega _{}).\hfill \end{array}$$
(35)
$`𝒜(r,\omega ;\omega _{})`$ is analytic in $`\omega `$ for $`\mathrm{Im}\omega >0`$ and finite $`r`$, since the phase factor never blows up and the cosine factor is actually a function of $`r^2(\omega ^2\omega _{}^2)`$ which is analytic and does not introduce branch cuts. We can therefore write down a dispersion relation for it,

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill 𝒜(r,\omega ;\omega _{})& =& \frac{1}{\pi }_{\mathrm{}}^{\mathrm{}}𝑑\omega ^{}\frac{\mathrm{Im}𝒜(r,\omega ^{};\omega _{})}{\omega ^{}\omega iϵ}.\hfill \end{array}$$
(36)
For $`𝒜(r,\omega ;\omega _{})`$ decaying not fast enough as $`|\omega |\mathrm{}`$, it is necessary to make subtractions with respect to $`\omega `$ and for fixed $`r`$ and $`\omega _{}`$. To convert the above dispersion relation to the one for $`𝒜(\omega ;\omega _{})`$ we have to integrate over $`r`$. This would be done if it were permitted to interchange the order of $`r`$ and $`\omega ^{}`$ integration. Indeed, for $`|\omega ^{}|>\omega _{}`$ this is permitted since the cosine factor remains finite in the whole region of $`r`$. However, this is not the case in the unphysical interval $`|\omega ^{}|<\omega _{}`$ where the cosine factor blows up as $`r\mathrm{}`$. This is apparently similar to the situation with massive particles in ordinary theory up to an essential difference. Namely, while the problem is reduced to be $`(1+1)`$ dimensional, the mass shell conditions for physical states are still $`(1+3)`$ dimensional: the effective mass $`\omega _{}`$ is not a fixed physical parameter but varies with the scattering configuration. This implies that the above unphysical interval could not be associated with a pole contribution as it is in ordinary theory. This difficulty resulting from a weaker microcausality prevents us from writting a dispersion relation for the scattering amplitude.

Finally, we comment briefly on a special configuration and the case with a massive incident particle. For $`\omega _{}=0`$ where the forward scattering occurs exclusively in the commutative direction, the above unphysical region disappears so that there is no difficulty to write a dispersion relation for the amplitude. This difference to ordinary theory, i.e., the dependence on the detailed kinematic configurations, can be traced to Lorentz symmetry violation in NC field theory. When the incident particle has the mass $`m`$, the above unphysical region splits into two subintervals. The contribution from the one with $`|\omega ^{}|<m`$ can still be attributed to a pole term as in ordinary theory with the modification that its residue depends on $`\omega _{}`$. The subinterval with $`m<|\omega ^{}|<\sqrt{\omega _{}^2+m^2}`$ is afflicted with the same problem discussed above and presents an obstacle to dispersion relations.

## 5 Conclusion and discussion

The phase-like nonlocal nature of NC field theory makes its analytic properties very different from ordinary theory. These properties are intimately related to the issues of unitarity and causality. In this work we tried to incorporate them in the spectral representation and dispersion relations by following the development in axiomatic field theory on ordinary spacetime.

We analyzed spacetime symmetries on NC spacetime that provide a necessary piece of argument in deriving dispersion relations. The NC kinematic variables appear naturally as parametric ones and the analytic properties are studied with respect to the usual kinematic variables. This offers a close similarity to ordinary theory as is illustrated in our perturbative example: as required by unitarity, an imaginary part in amplitude develops only when a physical threshold is crossed. On the other hand, the symmetry analysis forces us to impose a microcausality requirement that is weaker than the usual one; namely, observables commute when they are separated by an interval that is space-like in the commutative direction. The viability of the assumption is supported by the perturbative calculation of a typical commutator. Starting from this weaker microcausality, however, there arises a new unphysical region when deriving dispersion relations for forward scattering. Since the region is specified by a kinematic variable in the NC plane instead of a mass parameter, it does not seem to be associated to a pole term. It therefore cannot be surmountable using the usual tricks in ordinary theory.

Our treatment of ordinary variables and NC variables hints at a possible subtraction and renormalization scheme that may apply generally. Whenever possible, dispersion relations are written for fixed NC variables while ordinary variables are integrated over. If there is a UV divergence, subtractions are to be made at the same NC variables. The planar and nonplanar contributions are thus treated on the same footing as can be seen in our perturbative example. This is in contrast to the popular treatment in the literature that causes the UV/IR mixing problem. We also add in passing that the mixing is not necessarily associated with the infrared; if subtraction and renormalization is made with respect to a nonvanishing motion in the NC plane, the mixing enters when the motion is restricted in the commutative direction. This idea will be further elaborated elsewhere.


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# The Radial Structure of SNR N103B

## 1 INTRODUCTION

N103B is one of the brightest radio and X-ray sources in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). As a result, this young, compact, supernova remnant (SNR) has been selected for further study in many radio, X-ray, and optical surveys of the LMC SNRs (Dickel & Milne, 1995; Hughes et al., 1995; Russell & Dopita, 1990; Williams et al., 1999) and the general properties of this object are quite well known. At radio and X-ray wavelengths, the emission arises from a region 30′′ in diameter (or 7.3 pc, assuming a distance of 50 kpc to the LMC) with the emission in the western half being $`3`$ times brighter than in the eastern half (Dickel & Milne, 1995; Williams et al., 1999). A deep H$`\alpha `$ image (Williams et al., 1999; Smith, 1998) reveals several bright clumps which are located in the vicinity of the bright radio and X-ray regions. In all three bands, a partial shell is plainly visible.

The remnant is located on the northeastern edge of an H II region, approximately 40 pc from the young, rich star cluster NGC 1850. While SNRs in the Magellanic Clouds are commonly associated with H II regions, no other known LMC remnant is associated with a young star cluster (Chu & Kennicutt, 1988). For years, it was naturally assumed that the progenitor of N103B was a massive member of this cluster. However, the ASCA spectrum (Hughes et al., 1995) of this remnant shows strong emission features from highly ionized Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe, while K-shell emission from O, Ne, and Mg are relatively weak; this spectrum is more consistent with the nucleosynthesis products of a Type Ia SN (Nomoto, Thielemann, & Yokoi, 1984; Iwamoto et al., 1999) than the core collapse of a massive star (Tsujimoto et al., 1995). On the other hand, the optical spectrum is not dominated by the strong Balmer lines often associated with the remnants of Type Ia events (Tuohy et al., 1982; Hughes et al., 1995). Thus the classification of this remnant is still somewhat uncertain.

N103B is believed to be only $`10002000`$ years old (Hughes et al., 1995), and the X-ray emission is still dominated by the ejecta. The deep, high resolution ACIS observation provides an opportunity to study not only the abundances but also the distribution of the ejecta, and to compare them with models and observations of Type Ia and Type II remnants. There are several striking differences in the ejecta profiles of Type Ia and II SNRs, which we discuss below. By studying the ejecta in N103B, we have gain further information about its progenitor state. Moreover, assessing whether or not N103B is the result of a Type Ia explosion bears on the relative number of young Ia and non-Ia SNRs in the LMC which, though based on sparse statistics, may be anomalous (Hughes et al., 1995)

The ejecta in Type Ia SNRs may retain some of the initial stratification generated in the explosion. As predicted by Nomoto, Thielemann, & Yokoi (1984) and Iwamoto et al. (1999), Fe should initially remain in the interior, while Si, S, Ar, and Ca should appear primarily near the rim of the remnant. The ASCA observations of Tycho’s SNR, which is commonly believed to be the result of a Type Ia SN event, showed that the radial profile of the Fe K$`\alpha `$ line peaks at a smaller radius than the profiles of the other emission lines and the continuum emission (Hwang & Gotthelf, 1997). Furthermore, Hwang, Hughes, & Petre (1998) find that the Fe K$`\alpha `$ line is quite strong compared to the Fe L-shell emission. To reproduce the correct ratio of Fe K to Fe L emission, a large amount of Fe must exist in a very hot ($`2`$ keV) plasma with a low-ionization timescale which produces primarily Fe K-shell emission. The authors argue that this Fe is hotter than the rest of the ejecta and has a lower ionization timescale because it is confined to the interior of the remnant and has been more recently shocked.

By contrast, in several of the Type II SNRs in the Milky Way, for example Cas A (Hughes et al., 2000; Hwang, Holt, & Petre, 2000) and G292.0+1.8 (Park et al., 2002), the abundance structure is quite complex and the original distribution is not readily apparent. Equivalent width maps of G292.0+1.8 show a high degree of non-radial structure in which the abundances of the ejecta in the clumps of emission vary throughout the remnant (Park et al., 2002). In Cas A, the Fe ejecta are even found exterior to the lighter elements, indicating that the ejecta have actually over-turned (Hughes et al., 2000).

Utilizing the superb spatial resolution of Chandra, we can observe directly whether the ejecta in N103B have retained their original radial stratification, or whether it has been destroyed. While the distribution of the ejecta will not likely provide a definitive classification, it is interesting to compare this remnant to other Type Ia and Type II remnants.

To study the distribution of the ejecta in this complex remnant, we use a combination of narrow band imaging and spatially resolved spectroscopy, both of which are available for the first time at the required angular resolution with Chandra. In §2, we describe the data set and reduction. The methods used to perform the narrow band imaging and spatially resolved spectroscopy, as well as the scientific results, are presented in §3. In §4, we propose a 3D model for the distribution of the ejecta, consider their origin, and estimate their masses. Finally, in §5, we summarize our findings and suggest avenues for future work on this remnant.

## 2 OBSERVATIONS AND DATA REDUCTION

The Chandra ACIS observation of N103B was carried out on 1999 December 4 for 40.8 ks. At that time, the focal plane temperature of the instrument was -110 oC. The remnant was positioned at the aim point of the ACIS-S3 chip, which is one of two back-side illuminated devices. In this paper we present the analysis of data which were re-processed by the Chandra X-ray Center (CXC) on 2000 July 10. We processed the data using a combination of the CIAO 2.1 software package developed by the Chandra X-ray Center and tools developed by the ACIS team at Penn State.

The Level 1 events provided by the CXC, which include all telemetered event grades, were first corrected for Charge Transfer Inefficiency (CTI) as described by Townsley et al. (2001b). The ACIS back-side illuminated detectors suffer from CTI in both the parallel and serial directions, with the main effect of creating a non-uniform gain across the device. There is also a degradation in energy resolution which increases towards the top of the device. Both of these effects complicate the spectral analysis of extended objects such as SNRs. For a more detailed discussion of the CTI in ACIS, the reader is directed to Townsley et al. (2001b).

The data were then cleaned, following the standard CXC pipeline threads, to remove events flagged by the CXC as well as times with a poor aspect solution. Finally, the data were filtered to keep only ASCA event grades (g02346). We employ response matrices created to match the CTI-corrected data (Townsley et al., 2001a). The primary effect of CTI-correction in this data set is to improve the spectral resolution and create a uniform gain across the chip. The increase in count rate is minimal so we continue to use the quantum efficiency data provided by the CXC.

It was found that nearly 35% of the frames exhibited intense flares in which the background count rate over the entire detector increased by an order of magnitude. We found no way to distinguish these particle flares from real events, either by energy, event grade or more sophisticated filtering methods similar to those used to remove flaring pixels. While a higher background count rate increases the noise in the background-subtracted spectrum, removing the contaminating flares would result in a significant loss of real data. N103B is quite compact, extending over only 30′′, thus the contamination from this background is quite minimal, contributing only 0.5% of the total counts in the source region. We find no significant difference between the best-fit parameters and reduced chi-squared of data which include the flares and those in which the high background frames were removed. Therefore, in order to have as large a dataset as possible, we did not remove the frames with background flares.

## 3 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

### 3.1 Basic Results

The spectrum extracted from the entire remnant is very similar to the ASCA spectrum (Hughes et al., 1995), showing strong K$`\alpha `$ lines of Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe and soft X-ray emission ($`1`$ keV) dominated by emission from Fe L-shell transitions (Figure 1). The Fe K$`\alpha `$ line at $``$6.4 keV is much more significant in the Chandra spectrum, as the ASCA spectrum was contaminated by background at high energies (Hughes et al., 1995). In Figure 2 (Top), we show the 0.4-8 keV image of N103B obtained with Chandra. This image reveals significant structure at the arc-second level and the bright western half of the remnant is now resolved as a series of dense knots as well as diffuse emission. An X-ray color image composed from red (0.5 -- 0.9 keV), green (0.9 -- 1.2 keV) and blue (1.2 -- 10 keV), shown in Figure 2 (Bottom), further reveals that the spectral characteristics vary throughout the remnant as well. On large scales, the emission in the northwest is softer than the emission from the south. The color varies slightly from one knot to the next, showing that the spectral variability extends to small scales as well.

### 3.2 Narrow Band Imaging

To gain insight into the distribution of Si and S throughout the remnant, we produced continuum-subtracted (CS) and equivalent-width (EW) images following the methods outlined by Hwang, Holt, & Petre (2000). To do this, images were extracted from the energy interval of the Si and S emission lines as well as two continuum regions straddling each of these lines. The energy intervals and image properties used for each image are listed in Table 1.

After smoothing each image with a boxcar, a linear interpolation between the two continuum images was performed pixel by pixel to create an image of the continuum contained in the energy interval of the emission line. We neglected any spectral variations within the two continuum bands, since they are negligible compared to the variations between the bands. The CS image was produced by subtracting this continuum image from the original line image. To create the EW image, the CS image was divided by the continuum and then this ratio was normalized by the width of the energy interval (in units of keV) to obtain the EW image. As can be seen in Figure 3, the CS images for He-like Si and S are strikingly similar to the 0.4 -- 8 keV image (Fig. 2, Top), showing bright knots throughout the western half of the remnant. Underlying radial trends in the remnant are clearly revealed in the EW map, however.

It is apparent from the He-like Si and S EW images that the strength of these lines (as compared to the continuum) increases significantly along the rim of the remnant. To determine whether the emergence of the ring-like structure is an artifact of the low count rate in the rim, the original line and continuum images were collapsed into the radial and azimuthal dimensions by binning the images into rings and sectors. The CS intensity and EW were calculated for each bin, this time employing a logarithmic interpolation between the continuum regions, which is more suitable for the spectrum of N103B (see Figure 1). The radial and azimuthal plots, shown in Figure 4, confirm what is seen in both the CS and EW images (Figure 3). The CS intensity peaks at a radius of $`10^{\prime \prime }`$ with a strong azimuthal dependence. By contrast, the EW plots show little azimuthal dependence. Most importantly, there is a clear increase in the equivalent width with radius beginning at a radius of $`10^{\prime \prime }`$ and peaking at $`15^{\prime \prime }`$, which is the rim of the remnant.

The Si and S EW images reveal an extremely simple radial structure, in contrast to the spatial and spectral complexity revealed by the false-color and X-ray color images. A detailed study of the these radial variations present an excellent way to study the spatial distribution of the ejecta. Thus, in the following sections, we focus solely on the radial variations and leave an analysis of the intriguing small-scale structure seen in the X-ray color image to future work.

### 3.3 Spectral Modeling

To study the radial variations in more detail, we divided the remnant into 7 concentric rings, each with $`35,000`$ counts. The extraction region for each ring is listed in Table 2 and shown in Figure 2 (Top). The equivalent width (EW) of the emission lines depends both upon the total number of emitting atoms which are present as well as the temperature and ionization state of the atoms. To determine the cause for the variations in the EW, it is necessary to perform detailed spectral modeling to determine which of these factors are contributing.

#### 3.3.1 The Spectral Model

We use a plane-parallel shock, non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) model (Hughes, Rakowski, & Decourchelle, 2000), which has been incorporated into the XSPEC v. 11.0.1 analysis package. This model uses a single temperature, T, but includes a range of ionization timescales, integrated from 0 to net s cm-3, where ne is the electron density and t is the time elapsed since the material was heated to a temperature T. This NEI model allows for each element to have independent temperatures and ionization states which can be linked as desired. We use two absorbing columns, using the cross-sections of Balucinska-Church & McCammon (1992): one to account for galactic absorption (frozen at $`710^{20}`$ cm-2; Dickey & Lockman 1990) and the other, with lowered abundances, to model the absorption within the LMC (allowed to vary to obtain the best fit). The abundances of the LMC column are fixed at the values derived from the optical studies of H II regions and evolved supernova remnants in the LMC by Russell & Dopita (1992) and X-ray studies of evolved supernova remnants by Hughes, Hayashi, & Koyama (1998). When neither study provided a measurement, the abundance of that element was set to 0.3, relative to solar, which is the average abundance in the LMC. Throughout, the solar abundance pattern of Anders & Grevesse (1989) is used. The assumed values are given in Table 3. Finally, a narrow Gaussian component at $`0.7`$ keV is added to all the spectra to fill in a deficit in the modeled spectrum at the energy. A similar deficit is noted by Hwang, Hughes, & Petre (1998) in the analysis of several SNRs using an earlier version of this NEI code. Thus we believe that a line or line-blend is missing from the model, and the deficit does not indicate a serious flaw in the derived model parameters.

We find that it is impossible to fit the spectra with a single NEI plasma model for all elemental species; it is necessary to include several thermodynamic components to adequately model the data. The bulk of the continuum emission arises from a $``$ 1 keV plasma, which we model as hydrogen (although any featureless continuum would suffice as well). Emission from Si, S, Ar, Ca, Fe also arises from a $``$ 1 keV plasma with a large ionization timescale (net$`>10^{12}`$ s cm-3). In all the spectra, the strength of the Fe K-$`\alpha `$ emission line is under-predicted by this single temperature model. Following the results of Hwang, Hughes, & Petre (1998), we allow for additional Fe in a high temperature ($`>2`$ keV) plasma which has a low ionization timescale (net$`<`$1011 s cm-3). Finally, the H-like Mg emission line is too weak, relative to the He-like line, to arise from the same high ionization timescale plasma as the Si. Thus we include O, Ne, and Mg emission in a third lower-ionization timescale (net $`10^{11}`$ s cm-3) component. The temperature of this component is poorly constrained, but is generally consistent with 1 keV. Although Ne and O lines are not explicitly seen in the $`ACIS`$ spectrum, they are seen in $`XMMNewton`$ RGS (van der Heyden et al., 2002) and $`Chandra`$ LETG (Migliazzo et al., 2002) grating observations. In our data the O and Ne lines are blended with the many emission lines from L-shell transitions of Ar, Ca, and Fe, so it is not surprising that clear O and Ne emission lines are not seen. We add O and Ne to the lower-ionization timescale component, as O and Ne are produced in the O-burning zone along with Mg, as discussed in Sec. 4.1. Throughout, we refer to the components as the ‘‘H’’, ‘‘Si’’,‘‘Hot Fe’’, and ‘‘O’’ components.

We do not account for any emission from Co and Ni. The bulk of the radioactive Co and Ni produced in the initial explosion will have decayed already, although some non-radioactive isotopes may to be present. Furthermore, the L-shell emission of these lines overlap with those of Fe and no K$`\alpha `$ lines are evident, making it difficult to constrain the abundances of these elements. Finally, it is not necessary to include a blastwave component at a separate temperature to model these data. A swept-up ISM component may be related to the 1 keV hydrogen plasma that we require in our fits.

#### 3.3.2 Spectral Analysis Results

The spectral fits are shown in Figure 5 and the model parameters are listed, with 90% errors, in Tables 4 and 5. These errors were obtained by stepping through each parameter to determine the change in the $`\chi ^2`$. The true errors on the quantities may be larger, since this method assumes that the best-fit model is correct and does not incorporate the systematic uncertainties which may be introduced by the chosen model. Furthermore, the error bars on quantities which are dependent upon each other, such as temperature and ionization, may be larger than estimated since these parameters were not varied in pairs. Also included in Figure 5 (lower right corner) is a plot of the spectrum and model for Ring 7 in which the oxygen emission has been omitted; clearly, oxygen is required to fit the data, although the emission line is not resolved. We leave a detailed discussion of the quality of model fits to the end of this section and here briefly present the results of the spectral fits, which will be discussed in more detail in the §4.

In Table 4, we list the best fit temperatures and ionization states for the O, Si, and Hot Fe components. The temperature of the H component is identical to the Si temperature, within error bars, and is not listed. In general, the temperature and ionization timescale within each component remain fairly constant with radius. We note that the LMC column density decreases greatly in the outermost ring. It is difficult to determine whether this decrease takes place throughout the entire ring, as the soft emission from the north-west (Fig. 2 Bottom) contributes a large fraction of the total emission in the outermost ring.

In Table 5, we present the volume emission measure (EM) of each element, given by $`n_\mathrm{e}n_\mathrm{i}V/4\pi D^2`$, where $`n_\mathrm{e}`$ and $`n_\mathrm{i}`$ are densities of the electrons and ions, respectively, $`V`$ is the volume of the emitting region, and $`D`$ is the distance to the remnant. Within the O and Si components we report the EMs of the other elements in the component relative to either the O or Si EM. If the emission from each species within a single component arises from the same volume, then the ratio of two EMs within a component is simply a ratio of the ion densities of the two elements, which in turn is related to their abundances and masses. As described in the previous section, the O, Ne, and Mg emission lines are not clearly resolved and the EMs associated with this component should be treated with caution.

There are several striking trends in the EMs reported in Table 5. First, the EM of Si rises steadily from Ring 1 to Ring 7, mimicking the behavior of the equivalent width of He-like Si shown in Fig. 4, while the EM of the hot Fe declines (See Fig 6). Second, the EMs of S, Ar, Ca, and Fe, relative to Si, are roughly constant within the error bars. An exception is the highly elevated Fe EM in Ring 1. Third, neither the H nor O EM show any clear radial trend and they vary in concert, with the O EM being 2$`10^5`$ times the H EM, within errors. Although the Ne and Mg EMs, relative to O, are not constant within error bars, they also do not show any clear radial trend.

From this spectral analysis, it is clear that the increase in the equivalent widths of Si and S with radius seen in the narrow band images (Figs. 3 and 4) is not due to a change in the temperature or ionization state of the Si and S emitting plasma, but an increase in the EM of the Si component. Since the temperature, ionization, and composition of the Si component are roughly the same in the seven extraction regions, the only way to increase the EM is by increasing either the ion density or the volume of the Si component contained in the outer extraction regions. In either case, the variations in the EM trace the physical distribution of the Si component, and can be a powerful tool for studying the morphology of this emission component. Similarly, the distribution of the hot Fe component is also traced by its EM. In §4.2, we model the variations in the EMs of the hot Fe and Si components in detail to place constraints on the three-dimensional distribution of the material in these two components.

Finally, we note that the densities of S, Ar, and Ca, relative to Si, are elevated above those expected from the LMC (Table 3), while the relative density of the Fe in the Si component is considerably lower than expected from the LMC. Although some ISM may have been swept up, it is clear that the emission in the Si component arises primarily from ejecta. The hot Fe is naturally assumed to also be a component of the ejecta. However, the densities of Ne and Mg, relative to O, are significantly higher than expected from the LMC (0.18 and 0.054, Table 3) or either a Type Ia (0.014 and 0.059) or Type II (0.11 and 0.069) SNR (Iwamoto et al., 1999; Tsujimoto et al., 1995). It is not entirely clear whether the O, Ne, and Mg emission arise from ejecta or the swept-up material. In §4.3 and §4.4, we will study the EMs in detail to investigate the origin of the various emission components.

#### 3.3.3 Discussion of the Spectral Fits

The model fit in all seven rings is generally quite good across the entire 0.4-8 keV range. Here we discuss several sources of the residuals and their impact upon the fit parameters.

Although the CTI correction compensates for gain variations across the detector, minor errors ($`1\%`$) in the gain are expected to remain (Townsley et al., 2001a). This is particularly true for data obtained at a focal plane temperature of -110o as there is a limited data-base of calibration data with which to tune the CTI corrector. We noticed slight systematic shifts in the energy centroids of the strong K-shell Si, S, Ar and Ca emission lines, which become progressively worse in the outer rings. While these shift are not large, the data are of sufficient quality that they affect the $`\chi ^2`$ of the fit dramatically Further, the emission measures of the elements would be somewhat underfit, compromising our analysis of the ejecta distribution. Thus, in our fits we applied a slight adjustment to the gain ($`<1\%`$), by including the slope of the gain as an additional fit parameter. Some slight offsets are still visible in the residuals, but these are not significant.

The residuals in the fit to the spectrum of Ring 7 are considerably larger than seen in the other rings. The spectra of the eastern and western halves of this ring are quite different below 1 keV, which makes it difficult to fit the combined spectrum. The spectrum of the eastern half of Ring 7 is quite similar to those of the inner six rings while the spectrum of the western half exhibits the 0.7 keV deficit seen in the combined spectrum (Fig. 5). The quality of the spectral fit to the eastern half of Ring 7 is quite good ($`\chi _\nu ^2=1.3`$) with fit parameters, particularly the emission measures, similar to those derived from the fit to Ring 7 as a whole, although with larger error bars due to the greatly reduced count rate. Thus we are confident that, despite the statistically poorer fit to Ring 7 as a whole, the derived fit parameters are reliable.

## 4 DISCUSSION - ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE EJECTA

In the previous section, we demonstrated that N103B contains a large amount of hot Fe with a low ionization timescale, similar to that found in Tycho’s SNR (Hwang, Hughes, & Petre, 1998). As shown by the radial variations in the emission measure (EM), this hot Fe component is located centrally, as seen in Tycho’s SNR (Hwang & Gotthelf, 1997), while the Si component, composed of Si, S, Ar, Ca, and additional Fe, is more prominent in exterior regions of the remnant. Qualitatively, the distribution of the elements is more similar to that inferred for Tycho’s SNR than that seen in Cas A and G292.0+1.8. With this in mind, we compare the properties of N103B with remnants of Type Ia SNe.

To aid the following discussion, we begin with a brief overview of nucleosynthesis models in Type Ia SNe and the predicted distribution of the ejecta. Then in §4.2, we model the variations in the Si and hot Fe EMs in detail, taking into account the 3D structure, to place constraints upon the distribution of the ejecta. In §4.3, we discuss the origin of the hot Fe component and in §4.4 briefly discuss the H and O components. Finally, in §4.5, we calculate the masses of the ejecta and compare with the expected masses of the ejecta produced in Type Ia and Type II SNe.

### 4.1 Overview of Nucleosynthesis in Type Ia SNe

Iwamoto et al. (1999) model the nucleosynthesis in Chandrasehkar mass models for Type Ia SNe. The authors consider pure deflagration models (of varying deflagration speed) as well as delayed detonation models in which the deflagration front transitions to a detonation front. Here we describe the fast deflagration W7 model (Nomoto, Thielemann, & Yokoi, 1984; Iwamoto et al., 1999). Complete Si burning occurs in the inner $`0.8\mathrm{M}_{}`$ of the white dwarf, producing the Fe-peak nuclei: Ni, Fe, and Co. The central core ($`0.2\mathrm{M}_{}`$) is primarily non-radioactive 56Fe and 54Fe, but 56Ni is the dominant species produced throughout the rest of the Si-burning zone. Incomplete Si burning (from $`0.81.2\mathrm{M}_{}`$) leaves behind 54Fe, Ca, Ar, S, and Si. Finally, in the outer $`0.2\mathrm{M}_{}`$ O, Ne, and C are burned, leaving behind additional Si as well as Mg, Ne, and O. The transition from one burning zone to the next is rather sharp and the overlap between complete and incomplete Si burning products is quite small. The delayed detonation models produce a qualitatively similar distribution, but the transition between the complete and incomplete Si-burning zones is blurred and the Fe-peak nuclei and Si-burning products can co-exist throughout a large fraction of the remnant.

### 4.2 3D Distribution of the Ejecta

In §3.3.2, we concluded that the EMs in the Si and hot Fe components change either because the ion density or volume changed from one extraction region to the next. In principle, one could assume that all seven extraction regions contained an identical volume of ejecta from both components and that the ion densities varied from one region to the next. However, it is more physically reasonable to explain the EM variations with changes in the volume.

As suggested by the models for Type Ia SN nucleosynthesis presented above, in the absence of mixing, the ejecta of a SNR are expected to be radially stratified with Fe-rich core surrounded by a Si-rich shell. Although each of the seven extraction regions we have chosen will include emission from both the Fe core and Si shell, an interior extraction region will contain a larger volume of the Fe core than an exterior extraction region, while the opposite holds for the Si shell. Qualitatively, one can easily account for the variations in the Si and hot Fe emission measures by this simple geometrical effect.

To place constraints upon the 3D distribution of the ejecta, we begin by modeling the ejecta as a spherical volume with three zones. An outer shell is filled by the Si component and hot Fe is located in a shell interior to this. To account for the enhancement of Fe in Ring 1, we include a small sphere of Fe in the center of the remnant. This is also consistent with the slight decrease in the hot Fe EM in Ring 1, as the volume of the hot Fe zone contained in the Ring 1 is reduced (Table 5 and Fig. 6). The inner sphere of Fe may be associated with the core of 54Fe and 56Fe. Within each zone, the density is assumed to be constant. The transition radii between the zones are given by $`\rho _1`$ and $`\rho _2`$, where $`\rho `$ is normalized by 16′′, which is the projected radius of the outermost extraction region.

From this 3D model, we predict the EMs that would be observed by determining the volume of each of the three zones which is contained in a particular extraction region, given the assumed $`\rho _1`$ and $`\rho _2`$. The volume of a sphere contained in a 2D annular extraction region is given by:

$$V=4\pi _{\mathrm{R}_1}^{\mathrm{R}_2}\mathrm{RdR}_{\sqrt{\rho ^2\mathrm{R}_1^2}}^{\sqrt{\rho ^2\mathrm{R}_2^2}}\mathrm{dz}=\frac{4}{3}\pi ((\rho \mathrm{R}_1^2)^{3/2}(\rho \mathrm{R}_2^2)^{3/2}),$$

where R and z are the cylindrical coordinates, $`\rho `$ is the radius of the sphere, and R1 and R2 are the inner and outer radii of the annular extraction region. Given the inner and outer radius of each of the three zones, $`\rho _1`$ and $`\rho _2`$, it is possible to determine the volume of each zone which is contained in a particular extraction region.

In each extraction region, EMobs = $`KV_{\mathrm{zone}}/V_{\mathrm{tot}}`$, where EMobs is the measured EM (Table 5), $`V_{\mathrm{zone}}`$ is the calculated volume of the zone which is contained in the extraction region, and $`V_{\mathrm{tot}}`$ is the total volume of the remnant. In terms of physical quantities, $`K`$ = $`n_\mathrm{e}n_\mathrm{i}V_{\mathrm{tot}}/4\pi D^2`$ cm-5. The Si and hot Fe EMs were fit separately by stepping through a range of $`\rho _1`$, $`\rho _2`$, and $`K`$ to map out a 3D $`\chi ^2`$ space to locate the minimum. When fitting the Si EM, $`\rho _1`$ is set to 0, since changes in this parameter do not affect the Si EM. The fit parameters are shown in Table 6 and the best fits are plotted in Fig. 6. Although the fits are statistically unacceptable, the qualitative agreement between the observed data and the predictions of this simple model is remarkable. In Fig. 7, we show a schematic diagram of the three-zone model for N103B.

Although this model assumes that the hot Fe and Si zones do not mix, it is clear from the different fit values of $`\rho _2`$ (Table 6) that there must be a large region of overlap between the two zones. As a result, the masses obtained in §4.5 will be somewhat overestimated, because we assume throughout that each component completely fills the volume of its zone. The large overlap between the hot Fe and Si components could indicate that the distribution may be more similar to that predicted by the delayed detonation models (See §4.1). However, significant mixing between these two layers could occur at a later time, and we cannot rule out a fast deflagration model for this remnant.

### 4.3 Origin of the Hot Fe

We have found that the Fe K-shell and a large fraction of the Fe L-shell emission arises from a hot ($`>2`$ keV), low ionization timescale (net$``$1010.8 s cm-3) plasma. Although the hot Fe is located in the interior, it overlaps spatially with the Si component. It would be very difficult to shock the hot Fe at a significantly later time than the Si component, as suggested for Tycho’s SNR (Hwang, Hughes, & Petre, 1998). Alternatively, the electron density in the hot Fe component could be much lower than in the Si component, leading to a low ionization timescale.

In their analysis of SN 1987A, Li, McCray, & Sunyaev (1993) find that $`10`$% of the energy released in the radioactive decay sequence $`{}_{}{}^{56}\mathrm{Ni}(\mathrm{e}^+,\gamma )^{56}\mathrm{Co}(\mathrm{e}^+,\gamma )^{56}\mathrm{Fe}`$ is absorbed locally. As a result, clumps of Ni/Co/Fe are heated to a much higher temperature than the rest of the plasma. These clumps expand until they come into pressure equilibrium with the surrounding plasma. It is estimated these bubbles have a filling factor of 30$`\%`$ in SN 1987A. While the hot, low density bubbles initially include Ni, Fe, and Co, the bubbles will eventually be composed primarily of 56Fe. The low density of the bubbles leads naturally to a lower ionization timescale.

Blondin, Borkowski, & Reynolds (2001) model the dynamics of these Fe bubbles. As the reverse shock passes through the bubbles, the postshock temperature is significantly higher, due to the low density of the bubbles. Additionally, they find that the presence of Fe bubbles leads to vigorous mixing, which will destroy the initial radial structure of the remnant; a distinct shell of ejecta are not expected. Large variations in pressure and temperature are expected as well. They further find that as the bubbles expand into the surrounding material, the ejecta are compressed into narrow, dense filaments which partially trace out the boundaries of the Fe bubbles. It is expected that 90% of the emission measure in the SNR may arise from less than 2% of the volume of the shocked gas.

Wang & Chavalier (2001) consider the effects of Fe bubbles in the specific case of a Type Ia remnant with an exponential density profile which is expanding into a constant density medium. This study was motivated, in part, by observations of Tycho’s SNR, which indicate the existence of ejecta at very large radii (Hwang & Gotthelf, 1997) as well as two nearly undecelerated knots of ejecta (Hughes, 1997). They suggest that the ejecta at large radii are primarily in the form of dense clumps which decelerated less rapidly than the surrounding ejecta. To exist so close to the boundary of the shock, the knots must be $``$ 100 denser than the surrounding medium. This high compression factor is not a natural consequence of Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities and Wang & Chavalier (2001) argue that Fe bubbles are necessary to create such dense clumps of ejecta. Since the hot Fe bubbles and the other ejecta are expected to be shocked at the same time, the ionization timescale for the hot Fe is expected to be $``$ 100 smaller than for the other ejecta.

The Fe bubbles are an attractive explanation for the hot Fe seen in this remnant for several reasons. The location of the hot Fe component, as shown in Fig. 6 is consistent with the expected distribution of 56Ni, as described in §4.1. Furthermore, the Fe component has an ionization timescale which is $``$ 100 times lower than that of the Si component. Morphologically, N103B has a filamentary structure, particularly on the western side of the remnant (Fig. 2, Top) and as in Tycho’s SNR, there is a large amount of ejecta at relatively large radii (Fig. 4). However, the mixing in N103B does not appear to be as severe as predicted by the hydrodynamical simulations of Blondin, Borkowski, & Reynolds (2001) and Wang & Chavalier (2001).

### 4.4 The Hydrogen and Oxygen Components

Before beginning a discussion of the H and O components, it is important to note that the EMs of O, Ne, and Mg should be treated with caution, since there are no strong, isolated, emission lines from these species observed in our spectrum (See §3.3.1). Thus, any conclusions drawn here should be viewed with some caution.

While the EMs of the H and O components vary quite a bit from one ring to the next, there is no clear radial trend, as is seen in the Si and hot Fe components. The H and O components vary in concert, with the O EM $`210^5`$ times the H EM and the EMs of both components $``$ 50% larger in the rings in which the bright clumps occupy a large projected area of the extraction region. This strongly suggests that the H and O components must be physically connected. The lack of radial variations and the sharp drop in emissivity beyond 16′′ suggests that the H and O components are not in a shell surrounding the remnant, but are found in a clumpy foreground or background structure in the ISM which has interacted with the remnant and been heated to X-ray emitting temperatures.

However, the number density of O, relative to H, is an order of magnitude smaller than expected from material in the LMC. This problem would be resolved if the O component were linked with only a portion of the H component, but then it would be difficult for the two components to fluctuate simultaneously by 50%. On the other hand, the Ne and Mg number densities, relative to O, are much higher than expected from the ISM.

One could argue that the O component is composed of ejecta. However, in this case, it is very difficult to understand the intimate relationship between the H and O components and the lack of radial variations in the O EM. Furthermore, the number densities of Ne and Mg, relative to O, are also higher than expected for both Type Ia and Type II SNRs.

Using the radial variations alone, very little can be said about the origin or distribution of the H and O components. Spectroscopy of the bright clumps may give more insight into these questions. It is clear, though, that the H and O components do not occupy the same physical space as the Si component. Therefore, the abundances and EMs of the species in the O and Si component should be compared with extreme caution.

### 4.5 Masses of the Ejecta

Using the emission measures (EMs) listed in Table 5 and the 3D model of the ejecta distribution found in §4.2, the mass of each element can be estimated. Recall that the normalization factor used in the 3D model is $`K=n_\mathrm{e}n_\mathrm{i}V_{\mathrm{tot}}`$/4$`\pi D^2`$ cm-5, where $`V_{\mathrm{tot}}`$ is the total volume of the remnant.

Within the Si component, the electron density, $`n_\mathrm{e}/n_{\mathrm{Si}}`$, is given by the sum over all species of $`n_i/n_{\mathrm{Si}}X_iZ_i`$, with $`i`$ ranging from Si to Fe. We obtain $`n_i/n_{\mathrm{Si}}`$ directly from Table 5, $`X_i`$ is the ionization fraction calculated within the NEI code, and $`Z_i`$ is the charge of each species. We averaged the values of $`n_i/n_{\mathrm{Si}}`$ for S, Ar, and Ca from all seven rings, but excluded the first ring when calculating $`n_{\mathrm{Fe}}/n_{\mathrm{Si}}`$. Using this information, we obtained $`n_\mathrm{e}/n_{\mathrm{Si}}`$ = 39. Since the extraction region of Ring 7 extends to 16′′, or 3.9 pc, we use this as the boundary of the total emitting volume. Using $`D`$ = 50 kpc, we obtain $`n_{\mathrm{Si}}=1.410^3\mathrm{cm}^3`$. If we assume that the Si component completely fills the Si zone ($`\rho `$ = 0.51--1.0), then we obtain a Si mass of 0.21M. Using the average $`n_i/n_{\mathrm{Si}}`$ used above, we obtain the masses of all the elements in the Si component, which are listed in Table 7.

Similarly, in the hot Fe component, $`n_\mathrm{e}/n_{\mathrm{hot}\mathrm{Fe}}`$ = 19 and $`n_{\mathrm{hot}\mathrm{Fe}}=1.610^3\mathrm{cm}^3`$. Assuming that the hot Fe component fills the region $`\rho `$ = 0.4 -- 0.77, we obtain 0.21M of hot Fe. Finally, to estimate the mass in the Fe core, we use the excess Fe EM in Ring 1, which is 3.9$`10^6`$ cm-5. We also note since there is an Fe enhancement only in Ring 1, the Fe core probably does not exceed $`\rho =0.32`$. In this zone, $`n_\mathrm{e}/n_{\mathrm{Fe}}`$ = 21, leading to $`n_{\mathrm{Fe}}=5.110^3\mathrm{cm}^3`$ and a Fe core mass of 0.06 M. From all three zones, we have a combined Fe mass of 0.34 M. It is impossible to calculate the masses in the H and O components because we have no estimate of the emitting volume.

The masses calculated above could be over- or underestimated for several reasons. First, we note that the estimated electron density in the Si component is not even twice that in the Fe component. If we wish to rely only upon a difference in electron density to account for the difference in ionization timescale, the Si component will need to be in the form of dense clumps with a very small filling factor. This is not inconsistent with the simulations performed by (Blondin, Borkowski, & Reynolds, 2001) (Wang & Chavalier, 2001). However, if the Si component is highly clumped, the masses from this component will be significantly reduced. Second, the assumption of a pure metal plasma results in a larger mass than if we had assumed a highly enriched but still H/He dominated plasma. This is particularly relevant in the Si component, as it is possible that some ISM has been swept up into this outer shell. Finally, we cannot assume that all of the ejecta are visible in X-rays. Since the remnant is not center-filled, it is possible that the ejecta in the interior have not been completely shocked by the reverse front. Thus the mass of the Fe ejecta in particular may be considerably higher than estimated above.

Given these considerations, the estimated masses of Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe are in better agreement with the predictions of a Type Ia (W7) model than a core-collapse SN (Table 7). Additionally, the O-rich component of N103B appears to be associated with a structure in the ISM, rather than an O-rich zone of ejecta one would expect from a core-collapse SN.

## 5 CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE WORK

The spectrum of N103B obtained through this Chandra observation is quite similar to the ASCA spectrum (Hughes et al., 1995), showing strong K$`\alpha `$ lines of Si,S, Ar, Ca and Fe, suggesting a Type Ia origin for the remnant. The Chandra image of N103B reveals structure at the sub-arcsecond level. The bright western side of the remnant, seen in previous X-ray images, is composed of a series of bright knots and filaments. An X-ray color image reveals that the spectral characteristics also vary dramatically throughout the remnant.

We find that despite the complex spatial and spectral morphology suggested by the false-color and X-ray color images, there are striking radial trends in the equivalent widths of the strong Si and S emission lines, as revealed by narrow band imaging. The equivalent widths remain fairly constant within the interior, then rise rapidly at a radius of 10′′. To investigate the cause for the increase in equivalent width through spatially resolved spectroscopy, we divided the remnant into seven concentric rings, each with approximately 35,000 counts.

The data are well fit by a plane-parallel, non-equilibrium ionization model. The continuum emission arises primarily from a 1 keV hydrogen plasma. An additional $``$ 1 keV plasma with a high ionization timescale (net$`>10^{12}`$ s cm-3) contains Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe. A hot ($`>2`$ keV), low ionization (net$``$1010.8 s cm-3) Fe plasma is required to produce the strong Fe K$`\alpha `$ line. Finally, the O, Ne, and Mg are located in a plasma with an ionization timescale of net$``$1011 s cm-3 and temperature of roughly $``$ 1 keV. The components are referred to as the H, Si, hot Fe, and O components, respectively.

Using this spectral model, we have determined that there are no significant radial variations in the temperatures or ionization timescales of the components. Instead, we find that the emission measures (EM = $`n_en_iV/4\pi D^2`$) of the species in the Si component increase radially, mimicking the radial profiles of the Si and S equivalent width images. An exception is an enhancement of Fe in the innermost extraction region. In contrast to the Si component, the hot Fe EM has a profile which drops rapidly at radii greater than 10′′.

The EM variations in the Si and hot Fe components are well modeled by a simple three-zone model for the ejecta. In the interior of the remnant is a sphere of Fe with a temperature of 1 keV and a high ionization timescale, which occupies only the inner 3% of the remnant’s volume. Exterior to this is a shell of hot Fe which is plausibly in the form of hot Fe bubbles. Finally, surrounding the hot Fe is a shell of Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe. The Si and hot Fe components coexist for a large fraction of the remnant volume, implying that the difference in ionization timescale, $`n_e`$t, is due to a difference in electron density.

We have limited information about the location and origin of the H and O components. The EMs of these components show no radial trends, like those seen in the Si component. Furthermore, these components vary in concert, suggesting that the two components are physically linked. It is likely that these two components are associated with a clumpy foreground or background structure in the ISM which has been shocked by the remnant, rather than a shell of ejecta or swept-up material. It is clear that the O component does not occupy the same volume as the Si component, and that any comparison between these two components must be performed with care. In particular global O, Si, and Fe abundances derived from integrated spectra of this remnant cannot be directly compared to nucleosynthesis models without first taking into account the different physical locations of the different components.

Finally, we estimate the masses of Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe and find that they are more consistent with the yields of a Type Ia SN than a Type II SN. In particular, the large mass of Fe (0.34 M) suggests that a Type Ia origin for N103B is more likely. Further support for a Type Ia origin is the lack of an O-rich component of ejecta. Finally, the properties of N103B are strikingly similar to Tycho’s remnant. Both require a hot Fe component and show a radial segregation of the Fe and Si components of the ejecta. The results of this analysis indicate that the properties of N103B are consistent with a Type Ia origin. However, further work must be done, particularly to determine the location and origin of the O component, before eliminating a Type II origin.

Certainly, a more realistic 3D model of the ejecta is needed, which takes into account the initial structure of the remnant, the expansion, and potentially mixing between the layers. Additionally, throughout this paper, we have ignored the large asymmetry between the eastern and western halves of the remnant; to model this remnant more accurately, this must be taken into account. Using more sophisticated models for seven radial bins is pointless however, and we suggest that the analysis be improved by combining this ACIS dataset with the 0th order Chandra LETG grating data. With this larger dataset, the remnant could be sampled with finer radial bins and the differences between the eastern and western halves could be explored. Also, by using the information from the Chandra and XMM-Newton gratings observations, one could restrict the parameters of the O component more effectively, thereby reducing some of the uncertainties in this analysis.

Finally, this analysis has ignored the intriguing small-scale variations in brightness and color. An exploration of these may yield more clues to the origin and distribution of the O and H components. In particular, it important to determine whether these clumps have the same composition as the rest of the remnant, or whether they are dominated by emission lines or continuum. Again, while several of the brighter clumps have 10,000 counts, the model we have proposed cannot be safely used unless a strong Fe K$`\alpha `$ line is present to remove some of the confusion between the two different sources of Fe emission. Again, combining the 0th order Chandra LETG grating and ACIS datasets should improve matters greatly.

KTL would like to thank the ACIS team at Penn State, particularly, L. Townsley and G. Chartas, for invaluable discussions about the ACIS instruments and the analysis of Chandra data. KTL would also like to thank S. Park and Y. Meada for the many useful discussions about this project. This research was funded by the Chandra grant NAS8-01128. JPH acknowledges partial support from Chandra grant GO0-1035X. POS acknowledges partial support from NASA contract NAS8-39073.