Non-Maxwellian electron distributions in clusters of galaxies

Details Non-Maxwellian electron distributions in clusters of galaxies Non-Maxwellian electron distributions in clusters of galaxies

2009-05-29

arxiv.org/abs/0905.4802v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

6 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics, main journal

Scientific paper

Thermal X-ray spectra of clusters of galaxies and other sources are commonly calculated assuming Maxwellian electron distributions. There are situations where this approximation is not valid, for instance near interfaces of hot and cold gas and near shocks. The presence of non-thermal electrons affects the X-ray spectrum. To study the role of these electrons in clusters and other environments, an efficient algorithm to calculate the X-ray spectra is needed. We approximate an arbitrary electron distribution by the sum of Maxwellian components. The decomposition is done using either a genetic algorithm or an analytical approximation. The X-ray spectrum is then evaluated using a linear combination of those Maxwellian components. Our method is fast and leads to an accurate evaluation of the spectrum. The use of Maxwellian components allows to use the standard collisional rates that are available in plasma codes such as SPEX. We give an example of a spectrum for the supra-thermal electron distribution behind a shock in a cluster of galaxies. The relative intensities of the satellite lines in such a spectrum are sensitive to the presence of the supra-thermal electrons. These lines can only be investigated with high spectral resolution. We show that the instruments on future missions like Astro-H and IXO will be able to demonstrate the presence or absence of these supra-thermal electrons.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Non-Maxwellian electron distributions in clusters of galaxies does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Non-Maxwellian electron distributions in clusters of galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Non-Maxwellian electron distributions in clusters of galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-526953