Checking the potassium origin of the new emission line at 3.5 keV using the K XIX line complex at 3.7 keV

It is currently unclear whether the new line at ∼3.5 keV, recently detected in various samples of galaxy clusters, the Andromeda galaxy and the central part of our Galaxy, is caused by potassium emission lines. By using the latest astrophysical atomic emission line data base, AtomDB v. 3.0.2, we show that the most promising method to check its potassium origin directly will be the study of the K XIX emission line complex at ∼3.7 keV using forthcoming X-ray imaging spectrometers such as the Soft X-ray spectometer onboard the Astro-H mission or the microcalorimeter onboard the Micro-X sounding rocket experiment. In order to further reduce the remaining (factor of ∼3-5) uncertainty of the 3.7/3.5 keV ratio, more precise modelling should be performed, including the removal of significant spatial inhomogeneities, a detailed treatment of background components, and the extension of the modelled energy range.