X-ray Absorption by the Intergalactic Medium
Abstract
I have studied the intergalactic medium (IGM) located in galaxy clusters and groups via the so-called "X-ray Forest": the X-ray absorption lines produced by the hot IGM. I gave a semi-analytic calculation of the X-ray forest distribution based on the Press-Schechter formalism. The warm-hot intergalactic medium - the IGM between 10^5 - 10^7 K - was investigated via hydrodynamic simulation. I analyzed the simulated spectra which were synthesized in a way similar to simulating the Lya forest and studied column density and the Doppler b-parameter distributions of highly-ionized metals. Finally, we studied X-ray spectra of two high-redshift quasars, S5 0836+710 and PKS 2149-306, obtained with the Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS). While no absorption features were detected, a method of constraining the IGM via the X-ray forest theory was proposed. I also discuss constraining the IGM using the X-ray Gunn-Peterson test.
- Publication:
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Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- 2001
- Bibcode:
- 2001PhDT........48F
- Keywords:
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- Chandra;
- X-Ray