The large-scale bias of the hard X-ray background

Recent deep X-ray surveys combined with spectroscopic identification of the sources have allowed the determination of the rest-frame 2-8 keV luminosity as a function of redshift. In addition, an analysis of the HEAO1 A2 2-10 keV full-sky map of the X-ray background (XRB) reveals clustering on the scale of several degrees. Combining these two results in the context of the currently favored Lambda-CDM cosmological model implies an average X-ray bias factor, b_x, of b_x^2 = 1.12 +- 0.33, i.e., b_x = 1.06 +- 0.16. These error estimates include only statistical error; the systematic error sources, while comparable, appear to be sub-dominant. This result is in contrast to the large biases of some previous estimates and is more in line with current estimates of the optical bias of L* galaxies.Comment: 6 pages, 3 eps figures, accepted for ApJ, vol. 612, 10 September 200

The Chandra Large Area Synoptic X-ray Survey (CLASXS) of the Lockman Hole-Northwest: The X-ray Catalog

We present the X-ray catalog and basic results from our Chandra Large Area Synoptic X-ray Survey (CLASXS) of the Lockman Hole-Northwest field. Our 9 ACIS-I fields cover a contiguous solid angle of ~0.4 sq. deg. and reach fluxes of 5E-16 cgs (0.4-2 keV) and 3E-15 cgs (2-8keV). Our survey bridges the gap between ultradeep pencil-beam surveys, such as the Chandra Deep Fields (CDFs), and shallower, large area surveys, allowing a better probe of the X-ray sources that contribute most of the 2-10 keV cosmic X-ray background (CXB). We find a total of 525 X-ray point sources and 4 extended sources. At ~10E-14 cgs 2-8 keV, our number counts are significantly higher than those of several non-contiguous, large area surveys. On the other hand, the integrated flux from the CLASXS field, combined with ASCA and Chandra ultradeep surveys, is consistent with results from other large area surveys, within the variance of the CXB. Spectral evolution is seen in the hardening of the sources at fluxes below 1E-14 cgs Above 4E1-14 cgs(0.4-8 keV), ~60 of the sources are variable. Four extended sources in CLASXS is consistent with the previously measured LogN-LogS of galaxy clusters. We report the discovery of a gravitational lensing arc associated with one of these sources. (Abridged)Comment: 67 pages, 26 figures, accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa

Absolute measurement of the unresolved cosmic X-ray background in the 0.5-8 keV band with Chandra

We present the absolute measurement of the unresolved 0.5-8 keV cosmic X-ray background (CXB) in the Chandra Deep Fields (CDFs) North and South, the longest observations with Chandra (2 Ms and 1 Ms, respectively). We measure the unresolved CXB intensity by extracting spectra of the sky, removing all point and extended sources detected in the CDF. To model and subtract the instrumental background, we use observations obtained with ACIS in stowed position, not exposed to the sky. The unresolved signal in the 0.5-1 keV band is dominated by diffuse Galactic and local thermal-like emission. In the 1-8 keV band, the unresolved spectrum is adequately described by a power law with a photon index 1.5. We find unresolved CXB intensities of (1.04+/-0.14)x10^-12 ergs cm^-2 s^-1 deg^-2 for the 1-2 keV band and (3.4+/-1.7)x10^-12 ergs cm^-2 s^-1 deg^-2 for the 2-8 keV band. Our detected unresolved intensities in these bands significantly exceed the expected flux from sources below the CDF detection limits, if one extrapolates the logN/logS curve to zero flux. Thus these background intensities imply either a genuine diffuse component, or a steepening of the logN/logS curve at low fluxes, most significantly for energies <2 keV. Adding the unresolved intensity to the total contribution from sources detected in these fields and wider-field surveys, we obtain a total intensity of the extragalactic CXB of (4.6+/-0.3)x10^-12 ergs cm^-2 s^-1 deg^-2 for 1-2 keV and (1.7+/-0.2)x10^-11 ergs cm^-2 s^-1 deg^-2 for 2-8 keV. These totals correspond to a CXB power law normalization (for photon index 1.4) of 10.9 photons cm^-2 s^-1 keV^-1 sr^-1 at 1 keV. This corresponds to resolved fracations of 77+/-3% and 80+/-8% for 1-2 and 2-8 keV, respectively.Comment: 23 emulateapj pages, accepted for publication in ApJ. Minor revisions, most notably a new summary of the error analysi

Connecting Galaxy Evolution, Star Formation and the X-ray Background

As a result of deep hard X-ray observations by Chandra and XMM-Newton a significant fraction of the cosmic X-ray background (CXRB) has been resolved into individual sources. These objects are almost all active galactic nuclei (AGN) and optical followup observations find that they are mostly obscured Type 2 AGN, have Seyfert-like X-ray luminosities (i.e., L_X ~ 10^{43-44} ergs s^{-1}), and peak in redshift at z~0.7. Since this redshift is similar to the peak in the cosmic star-formation rate, this paper proposes that the obscuring material required for AGN unification is regulated by star-formation within the host galaxy. We test this idea by computing CXRB synthesis models with a ratio of Type 2/Type 1 AGN that is a function of both z and 2-10 keV X-ray luminosity, L_X. The evolutionary models are constrained by parameterizing the observed Type 1 AGN fractions from the recent work by Barger et al. The parameterization which simultaneously best accounts for Barger's data, the CXRB spectrum and the X-ray number counts has a local, low-L_X Type 2/Type 1 ratio of 4, and predicts a Type 2 AGN fraction which evolves as (1+z)^{0.3}. Models with no redshift evolution yielded much poorer fits to the Barger Type 1 AGN fractions. This particular evolution predicts a Type 2/Type 1 ratio of 1-2 for log L_X > 44, and thus the deep X-ray surveys are missing about half the obscured AGN with these luminosities. These objects are likely to be Compton thick. Overall, these calculations show that the current data strongly supports a change to the AGN unification scenario where the obscuration is connected with star formation in the host galaxy rather than a molecular torus alone. The evolution of the obscuration implies a close relationship between star formation and AGN fueling, most likely due to minor mergers or interactions.Comment: 36 pages, 8 figures, ApJ in press. Minor changes to match published versio

The resolved fraction of the Cosmic X-ray Background

We present the X-ray source number counts in two energy bands (0.5-2 and 2-10 keV) from a very large source sample: we combine data of six different surveys, both shallow wide field and deep pencil beam, performed with three different satellites (ROSAT, Chandra and XMM-Newton). The sample covers with good statistics the largest possible flux range so far: [2.4*10^-17 - 10^-11] cgs in the soft band and [2.1*10^-16 - 8*10^{-12}]cgs in the hard band. Integrating the flux distributions over this range and taking into account the (small) contribution of the brightest sources we derive the flux density generated by discrete sources in both bands. After a critical review of the literature values of the total Cosmic X--Ray Background (CXB) we conclude that, with the present data, the 94.3%, and 88.8% of the soft and hard CXB can be ascribed to discrete source emission. If we extrapolate the analytical form of the Log N--Log S distribution beyond the flux limit of our catalog in the soft band we find that the flux from discrete sources at ~3*10^-18 cgs is consistent with the entire CXB, whereas in the hard band it accounts for only 93% of the total CXB at most, hinting for a faint and obscured population to arise at even fainter fluxes.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Detection of an X-Ray Hot Region in the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies with ASCA

Based on mapping observations with ASCA, an unusual hot region with a spatial extent of 1 square degree was discovered between M87 and M49 at a center coordinate of R. A. = 12h 27m 36s and Dec. = $9^\circ18'$ (J2000). The X-ray emission from the region has a 2-10 keV flux of $1 \times 10^{-11}$ ergs s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$ and a temperature of $kT \gtrsim 4$ keV, which is significantly higher than that in the surrounding medium of $\sim 2$ keV. The internal thermal energy in the hot region is estimated to be $V n k T \sim 10^{60}$ ergs with a gas density of $\sim 10^{-4}$ cm$^{-3}$. A power-law spectrum with a photon index $1.7-2.3$ is also allowed by the data. The hot region suggests there is an energy input due to a shock which is probably caused by the motion of the gas associated with M49, infalling toward the M87 cluster with a velocity $\gtrsim 1000$ km s$^{-1}$.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, accepted to ApJ

The Extended Chandra Deep Field-South Survey: X-ray Point-Source Catalog

The Extended Chandra Deep Field-South (ECDFS) survey consists of 4 Chandra ACIS-I pointings and covers $\approx$ 1100 square arcminutes ($\approx$ 0.3 deg$^2$) centered on the original CDF-S field to a depth of approximately 228 ks. This is the largest Chandra survey ever conducted at such depth, and only one XMM-Newton survey reaches a lower flux limit in the hard 2.0--8.0 keV band. We detect 651 unique sources -- 587 using a conservative source detection threshold and 64 using a lower source detection threshold. These are presented as two separate catalogs. Of the 651 total sources, 561 are detected in the full 0.5--8.0 keV band, 529 in the soft 0.5--2.0 keV band, and 335 in the hard 2.0--8.0 keV band. For point sources near the aim point, the limiting fluxes are approximately $1.7 \times 10^{-16}$ $\rm{erg cm^{-2} s^{-1}}$ and $3.9 \times 10^{-16}$ $\rm{erg cm^{-2} s^{-1}}$ in the 0.5--2.0 keV and 2.0--8.0 keV bands, respectively. Using simulations, we determine the catalog completeness as a function of flux and assess uncertainties in the derived fluxes due to incomplete spectral information. We present the differential and cumulative flux distributions, which are in good agreement with the number counts from previous deep X-ray surveys and with the predictions from an AGN population synthesis model that can explain the X-ray background. In general, fainter sources have harder X-ray spectra, consistent with the hypothesis that these sources are mainly obscured AGN.Comment: Replaced original paper with the AJ-accepted version. New version includes simulations on the uncertainties in the derived fluxes due to incomplete spectral information and catalog completeness. Full catalog available at http://www.astro.yale.edu/svirani/ecdfs

Gas temperature profiles in galaxy clusters with Swift XRT: observations and capabilities to map near R200

We investigate the possibility of using the X-ray telescope (XRT) on board the Swift satellite to improve the current accuracy of the ICM temperature measurements in the region close to the virial radius of nearby clusters. We present the spectral analysis of the Swift XRT observations of 6 galaxy clusters and their temperature profiles in the regions within 0.2-0.6 r200. Four of them are nearby famous and very well studied objects (Coma, Abell 1795, Abell 2029 and PKS0745-19). The remaining two, SWJ1557+35 and SWJ0847+13, at redshift z=0.16 and z=0.36, were serendipitously observed by Swift-XRT. We accurately quantify the temperature uncertainties, with particular focus on the impact of the background scatter (both instrumental and cosmic). We extrapolate these results and simulate a deep observation of the external region of Abell 1795 which is assumed here as a case study. In particular we calculate the expected uncertainties in the temperature measurement as far as r200. We find that, with a fairly deep observation (300 ks), the Swift XRT would be able to measure the ICM temperature profiles in the external regions as far as the virial radius, significantly improving the best accuracy among the previous measurements. This can be achieved thanks to the unprecedented combination of good PSF over the full field of view and very accurate control of the instrumental background. Somehow unexpectedly we conclude that, among currently operating telescope, the Swift-XRT is the only potentially able to improve the current accuracy in plasma temperature measurement at the edges of the cluster potential. This will be true until a newgeneration of low-background and large field of view telescopes, aimed to the study of galaxy clusters, will operate. These observations would be of great importance in developing the observing strategy for suchmissions.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A ;13 pages, 13 figure

From M-ary Query to Bit Query: a new strategy for efficient large-scale RFID identification

The tag collision avoidance has been viewed as one of the most important research problems in RFID communications and bit tracking technology has been widely embedded in query tree (QT) based algorithms to tackle such challenge. Existing solutions show further opportunity to greatly improve the reading performance because collision queries and empty queries are not fully explored. In this paper, a bit query (BQ) strategy based Mary query tree protocol (BQMT) is presented, which can not only eliminate idle queries but also separate collided tags into many small subsets and make full use of the collided bits. To further optimize the reading performance, a modified dual prefixes matching (MDPM) mechanism is presented to allow multiple tags to respond in the same slot and thus significantly reduce the number of queries. Theoretical analysis and simulations are supplemented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed BQMT and MDPM, which outperform the existing QT-based algorithms. Also, the BQMT and MDPM can be combined to BQMDPM to improve the reading performance in system efficiency, total identification time, communication complexity and average energy cost