X-Raying the IMF in Elliptical Galaxies
Abstract
We propose to test recent claims that the stellar initial mass function (IMF) of massive early-type galaxies follows a steep power-law and is thus ``bottom heavy''. We will do this by comparing the number of neutron-star and black-hole X-ray binaries per stellar luminosity in high mass-to-light ratio early-type galaxies to the number in early-type galaxies with low mass-to-light ratios. If the high mass-to-light ratios are due to a steep, ``bottom-heavy'' IMF as claimed, then these galaxies should have fewer LMXBs per stellar luminosity. Such a test can be carried out with data available in the archive. This provides an invaluable and independent way to address the question of the IMF in early-type galaxies, which is a key question for may areas of astronomy.
- Publication:
-
Chandra Proposal
- Pub Date:
- September 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013cxo..prop.4285Z