The Universe in X-Rays

Preface

Contents

1 Overview

2 Proportional Counters

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Gaseous Detectors

2.3 Operation Principle of a Proportional Counter

2.4 Large Area Proportional Counters for X-Ray Astronomy

2.5 Gas Scintillation Proportional Counters

References

3 Scintillation Counters

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Scintillation Counters for X-Ray Astronomy

References

4 Imaging Proportional Counters

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Geometry of Multiwire Proportional Counters

4.3 Position Resolution of Multiwire Proportional Counters

4.4 Position Readout Methods

4.5 The ROSAT PSPC

4.6 Imaging Gas Scintillation Proportional Counters

References

5 Aperture Modulation Telescopes

5.1 Principle of Aperture Modulation

5.2 Various Coded-Mask Telescope Missions

References

6 Wolter Optics

6.1 Principle

6.2 Wolter-Type Telescopes

6.3 General Imaging Properties

6.4 Nesting of Mirror Shells

6.5 Fabrication Techniques for Wolter Telescopes

6.6 Missions with Wolter Telescopes

References

7 CCD Detectors

7.1 Introduction

7.2 MOS CCDs

7.3 Fully Depleted Back-Illuminated pnCCDs

7.4 New Detector Developments: Active Pixel Sensors for X-Rays

7.5 Conclusion

References

8 High Resolution Spectroscopy

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Transmission Gratings

8.3 Chandra

8.4 Re.ection Gratings: XMM-Newton RGS

8.5 Bolometers

References

9 Solar System Objects

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Solar X-Rays

9.3 Solar Wind

9.4 What do We Learn from the X-Ray Observations?

References

10 Nuclear Burning Stars

10.1 The Sun, Stars, and Stellar X-Ray Astronomy

10.2 Cool Stars On and Off the Main-Sequence

10.3 Very Low-Mass Stars and Brown Dwarfs

10.4 Premain Sequence Stars

10.5 Stellar Wind Sources

10.6 Stars with Magnetic Winds

References

11 White Dwarfs

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Discovery of X-Rays from White Dwarfs

11.3 ROSAT

11.4 X-Ray Spectroscopy with EUVE, Chandra, and XMM-Newton

11.5 Hydrogen-Deficient White Dwarfs

References

12 X-Ray Emission of Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects

12.1 Historical Introduction

12.2 The Zoo of CVs

12.3 Accretion Geometries

12.4 X-Ray and EUV Emission from Nonmagnetic CVs

12.5 X-Rays from Intermediate Polars

12.6 X-Rays from Polars

12.7 Accretion Rates

12.8 Novae and Close-Binary Supersoft Sources (CBSS)

References

13 Classical Novae

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Sources of X-Rays

13.3 EXOSAT: A Rather Noisy Beginning

13.4 ROSAT: Basic Properties

13.5 Chandra and XMM: High Resolution and New Surprises

13.6 Concluding Remarks

References

14 Pulsars and Isolated Neutron Stars

14.1 Introduction: Historical Overview

14.2 Physics and Astrophysics of Isolated Neutron Stars

14.3 High-Energy Emission Properties of Neutron Stars

References

15 Accreting Neutron Stars

15.1 Introduction

15.2 Overview

15.3 High Mass X-ray Binaries: HMXB

15.4 Low Mass X-ray Binaries: LMXB

15.5 Strongly Magnetized Neutron Stars

15.6 Weakly Magnetized Neutron Stars

15.7 Summary

References

16 Black-Hole Binaries

16.1 Introduction

16.2 X-Ray Binaries

16.3 Black Holes Identi.ed from Mass Functions

16.4 X-Ray Properties

16.5 Quasiperiodic Oscillations

16.6 Ultraluminous X-Ray Sources

References

17 X-Ray Studies of Supernovae and Supernova Remnants

17.1 Introduction

17.2 Young SNRs

17.3 Evolved SNRs

17.4 Extragalactic SNRs

17.5 X-Ray Supernovae

17.6 Conclusion

References

18 The Interstellar Medium

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Observations of the Hot Interstellar Medium

18.3 Models of the Interstellar Medium

18.4 Dust Scattering Halos

References

19 The Galactic Center

19.1 Introduction

19.2 Sgr A East and its Environment

19.3 Sgr A*

19.4 X-Ray Luminous Molecular Clouds

References

20 X-Rays from Nearby Galaxies

20.1 Introduction

20.2 History of X-Ray Observations of Galaxies

20.3 Point-Like Emission Components

20.4 Hot Plasma Components

20.5 Future Prospects

References

21 X-Ray Flares in the Cores of Galaxies

21.1 Introduction: Tidal Disruption of Stars by Supermassive Black Holes

21.2 X-Ray Flares from Inactive Galaxies

21.3 Chandra and XMM-Newton Follow-Up Observations

21.4 Future Observations and Applications

References

22 Active Galactic Nuclei

22.1 General Introduction to Active Galaxies

22.2 Introduction to Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies

22.3 The X-ray Slope - Optical Line Widths Relation

22.4 XMM-Newton Discoveries in the High-Energy Spectra of NLS1s

22.5 The Nature of the Soft X-ray Excess

22.6 Matter Under Strong Gravity

References

23 X-Ray Studies of Clusters of Galaxies

23.1 Introduction

23.2 Cluster Masses and Composition

23.3 Exploration of Cluster Structure

23.4 The Virgo Cluster and the Variety of Cluster X-ray Morphology

23.5 Cooling and Heating of the ICM

23.6 Heavy Element Enrichment of the Cluster ICM

23.7 X-Ray Cluster Surveys

23.8 Assessing the Cosmic Large-Scale Structure

23.9 Cluster Evolution

23.10 Testing Cosmological Models

23.11 Conclusion and Outlook

References

24 Gamma-Ray Bursts

24.1 The First 30 Years

24.2 Major Observational Findings

24.3 The Basic Scenarios for Gamma-Ray Burst Emission

24.4 Use of GRBs for Cosmology

24.5 Outlook: First Results of the Swift Mission

References

25 Cosmic X-Ray Background

25.1 The Early History of the X-Ray Background (XRB)

25.2 The ROSAT Deep Surveys

25.3 AGN Spectra and Fits to the XRB Spectrum

25.4 Deep Surveys with Chandra and XMM-Newton

25.5 A Multi-cone Survey AGN-1 Sample

25.6 The Soft X-Ray Luminosity Function and Space Density Evolution

25.7 X-ray Constraints on the Growth of SMBH

25.8 Conclusions

References

26 The Future

26.1 Introduction

26.2 Space Agency Strategic Planning

26.3 Spektrum–Roentgen–Gamma

26.4 The Next Generation Large X-ray Observatory

26.5 Conclusions

References

Appendix: More Information About X-Ray Missions