Nickel-56 decay chain (${}^{56}\mathrm{Ni}⟶{}^{56}\mathrm{Co}⟶{}^{56}\mathrm{Fe}$)

The radioactive chain converts nickel-56 through cobalt-56 into iron-56, releasing energy that can power supernova light curves. Electron capture and, where allowed, beta-plus decay convert protons into neutrons; gamma rays and charged decay products deposit some of the released energy. Ionization and escape of decay radiation affect the observed heating.