Synergistic approach to modeling X-ray spectra

Plasma emission models used in X-ray astronomy need to simulate X-ray spectra from at least thirteen elements. Development of comprehensive models requires large-scale calculations; for example, Fe M-shell spectra, K{alpha} fluorescence from near-neutral ions, and dielectronic recombination satellite spectra from L-shell ions. Current and recent missions (EUVE, ASCA, DXS, etc.) have already demonstrated the need for major, rapid improvements in spectral models. The high-resolution spectra to be acquired with the next generation of X- ray observatories (AXAF, XMM, Astro-E) promise to push spectral models to their limits. Essential to ensuring the quality of calculations used in spectral codes is corroboration in the laboratory, where controlled and precisely measured plasma conditions can be attained. To this end, we are capitalizing on a three-way synergistic relationship that links astrophysical observations, atomic modeling, and experiments using the LLNL Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT). After providing a brief orientation concerning the role of plasma emission models in X-ray astronomy, we discuss one example of this interplay

Atomic X-ray Spectroscopy of Accreting Black Holes

Current astrophysical research suggests that the most persistently luminous objects in the Universe are powered by the flow of matter through accretion disks onto black holes. Accretion disk systems are observed to emit copious radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, each energy band providing access to rather distinct regimes of physical conditions and geometric scale. X-ray emission probes the innermost regions of the accretion disk, where relativistic effects prevail. While this has been known for decades, it also has been acknowledged that inferring physical conditions in the relativistic regime from the behavior of the X-ray continuum is problematic and not satisfactorily constraining. With the discovery in the 1990s of iron X-ray lines bearing signatures of relativistic distortion came the hope that such emission would more firmly constrain models of disk accretion near black holes, as well as provide observational criteria by which to test general relativity in the strong field limit. Here we provide an introduction to this phenomenon. While the presentation is intended to be primarily tutorial in nature, we aim also to acquaint the reader with trends in current research. To achieve these ends, we present the basic applications of general relativity that pertain to X-ray spectroscopic observations of black hole accretion disk systems, focusing on the Schwarzschild and Kerr solutions to the Einstein field equations. To this we add treatments of the fundamental concepts associated with the theoretical and modeling aspects of accretion disks, as well as relevant topics from observational and theoretical X-ray spectroscopy.Comment: 63 pages, 21 figures, Einstein Centennial Review Article, Canadian Journal of Physics, in pres

Observations of metals in the intra-cluster medium

Because of their deep gravitational potential wells, clusters of galaxies retain all the metals produced by the stellar populations of the member galaxies. Most of these metals reside in the hot plasma which dominates the baryon content of clusters. This makes them excellent laboratories for the study of the nucleosynthesis and chemical enrichment history of the Universe. Here we review the history, current possibilities and limitations of the abundance studies, and the present observational status of X-ray measurements of the chemical composition of the intra-cluster medium. We summarise the latest progress in using the abundance patterns in clusters to put constraints on theoretical models of supernovae and we show how cluster abundances provide new insights into the star-formation history of the Universe.Comment: 28 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Space Science Reviews, special issue "Clusters of galaxies: beyond the thermal view", Editor J.S. Kaastra, Chapter 16; work done by an international team at the International Space Science Institute (ISSI), Bern, organised by J.S. Kaastra, A.M. Bykov, S. Schindler & J.A.M. Bleeke

Application of Laboratory and Modeling Capabilities to Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Astrophysical Sources

Work funded by the subject LDRD proposal has produced the following results. First, a comprehensive catalog of EUV lines from M-shell iron (Fe IX-XVI) in the 60-140 {angstrom} waveband. Second, a revised estimate of the radiative cooling of high-temperature plasmas by Fe, which dominates the cooling in cosmic-abundance plasmas from 4 x 10{sup 5}K to 1 x 10{sup 7}K. Third, laboratory data to correct theoretical atomic models and develop reliable spectral models of M-shell Fe in the EUV. Fourth, a solution of the origin of the quasi-continuum in EUV spectra of late-type stars, which has been variously ascribed to a high-temperature tail on the emission measure distribution of stellar coronae, reduced metal abundances, resonant scattering (destruction) of emission lines, and incompleteness of atomic models

Laboratory measurements of resonant contributions to Fe XXIV line emission

A number of X-ray astronomy satellites are scheduled for launch in the next few years. The Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) is scheduled for launch in 1998, and the X-Ray Multi-mirror Mission (XMM) and Astro-E in 1999. These satellites will carry spectrometers with resolving powers in the Fe L-shell emission region over an order of magnitude greater than the spectrometers aboard A CA. Interpreting AXAF, XMM, Astro-E spectra will require atomic data at an accuracy significantly greater than the data presently used in the standard emission codes. To address some of the existing and upcoming needs of X-ray astrophysics, we have continued our studies of Fe XXIV line emission. In this work, we measured Fe XXIV 3{yields}2 line emission at energies around threshold, using EBIT to examine the resonance contributions to the line emissivity. Here we present relative cross sections, at electron energies between 700 and 1500 eV, for producing line emission at wavelength A = 11.18 of the Fe XXIV 3d{sub 5/2}{yields}2P{sub 3} transition. Various processes can contribute to line emission observed from a collisional plasma. Direct excitation (DE) is the most important one at energies above the EIE threshold. Below threshold, Dielectronic recombination (DR) produces high n satellites which cannot be resolved from the EIE line. Resonant excitation (RE) can populate the same levels as DE via dielectronic capture followed by autoionization to the level of interest

Laboratory astrophysics: Measurements of n = n{prime} to n = 2 line emission in Fe{sup 16+} to Fe{sup 23+}

One of the dominant forms of astronomical line emission in the 6 {angstrom} to 18 {angstrom} spectral region is line emission produced by n = n{prime} to n = 2 transitions in Fe{sup 16+} to Fe{sup 23+} (i.e., Fe L-shell n-2 line emission). Using the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory electron beam ion trap (EBIT) facility, the authors have carried out a number of measurements designed to address astrophysical issues concerning Fe L-shell line emission. Desired ions are produced and trapped using the nearly monoenergetic electron beam of EBIT. Trapped ions are collisionally excited and the resulting X-ray line emission detected using Bragg crystal spectrometers. They have recently completed a line survey of Fe L-shell 3-2 line emission. The line survey will allow a more reliable accounting of line blending in astronomical spectra. They have now begun a series of broadband, high resolution line ratio measurements. These measurements are designed to benchmark atomic calculations used in astronomical plasma emission codes and also for comparison with X-ray spectral observations of astronomical objects. Initial measurements have been carried out in Fe{sup 23+}. Preliminary results agree with distorted wave calculations to within 20% and better