Thermal Radiation Processes
Abstract
We discuss the different physical processes that are important to understand the thermal X-ray emission and absorption spectra of the diffuse gas in clusters of galaxies and the warm-hot intergalactic medium. The ionisation balance, line and continuum emission and absorption properties are reviewed and several practical examples are given that illustrate the most important diagnostic features in the X-ray spectra.
- Publication:
-
Space Science Reviews
- Pub Date:
- February 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s11214-008-9310-y
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0801.1011
- Bibcode:
- 2008SSRv..134..155K
- Keywords:
-
- Atomic processes;
- Radiation mechanisms: thermal;
- Intergalactic medium;
- X-rays: general;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 37 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in Space Science Reviews, special issue "Clusters of galaxies: beyond the thermal view", Editor J.S. Kaastra, Chapter 9