Detection of z ̃ 2 type Iln supernovae

Type IIn supernovae (SNe IIn) result from the deaths of massive stars. The broad magnitude distribution of SNe IIn make these some of the most luminous SN events ever recorded. In addition, they are the most luminous SN type in the rest-frame UV which make them ideal targets for wide-field optical high redshift searches. We briefly describe our method to detect z~2 SNe IIn events that involves monitoring color-selected galaxies in deep stacked images and our program that applies this method to the CFHTLS survey. Initial results have detected four compelling photometric candidates from their subtracted images and light curves. SNe IIn spectra exhibit extremely bright narrow emission lines as a result of the interaction between the SN ejecta and the circumstellar material released in pre-explosion outbursts. These emission lines remain bright for years after outburst and are above the thresholds of current 8 m-class telescope sensitivities to z~3. The deep spectroscopy required to confirm z~2 host galaxies has the potential to detect the SN emission lines and measure their energies. Finally, planned deep, wide-field surveys have the capability to detect and confirm SNe IIn to z~6. The emission lines of such high-redshift events are expected to be above the sensitivity of future 30 m-class telescopes and the James Webb Space Telescope.