Collapse of accreting carbon-oxygen white dwarfs induced by carbon deflagration at high density

A critical condition is obtained for which carbon deflagration induces collapse of an accreting C + O white dwarf, not explosion. If the carbon deflagration is initiated at central density as high as 10/sup 10/ g cm/sup -3/ and if the propagation of the deflagration wave is slower than approx. 0.15 upsilon/sub s/ (upsilon/sub s/ is the sound speed), electron capture behind the burning front induces collapse to form a neutron star. This is the case for both conductive and convective deflagrations. Such a high central density can be reached if the white dwarf is sufficiently massive and cold at the onset of accretion and if the accretion rate is in the appropriate range. Models for Type Ia and Ib supernovae are also discussed. 66 refs., 8 figs