A Re-Analysis of Einstein SSS Spectra of Active Binary Stars

We have re-analyzed the highest signal-to-noise spectra that were obtained by the Einstein Solid State Spectrometer (SSS) of active RS CVn binary stars. We compare our results with those obtained by Swank et al. (1981, ApJ, 246, 208) who also analyzed these same data. The new analysis incorporates several improvements over the original: (i) it makes use of the improved understanding of the SSS instrument response matrix and of how to correct the observed spectrum for the affect of the ice build-up on the detector window; (ii) it uses the simultaneously obtained Einstein Monitor Proportional Counter (MPC) data to constrain more tightly the high-temperature thermal emission component; and (iii) it uses modern versions of the Mewe and Gronenschild and Raymond and Smith plasma codes to model the data. We discuss in some detail the X-ray spectrum of the nearby giant binary system Capella which is anomalously soft compared to the other binary stars, and for which the fit to the data of a two-component thermal emission model is by far the worst. In addition, we analyze the Exosat Transmission Grating Spectrometer spectrum of Capella and contrast the best-fit model to these data with the best-fit model to the SSS spectrum.