Calibration of Star Formation Rate Tracers with Population Synthesis Models: the X-ray to FIR Luminosities Ratio

Abstract

The study of massive star formation needs some basic tools, among which reliable SFR tracers are crucial ones. We are presently revising the calibration of SFR tracers at different wavelength ranges using last generation evolutionary population synthesis codes. The FIR luminosity produced by the heated dust in star forming regions is commonly used to characterize a starburst. The X-ray luminosity has been found to show a narrow correlation with it, and therefore it has been proposed as an additional tracer of potential interest for high $z$ galaxies, whose FIR emission is redshifted to the sub-mm range. In this communication we analyze the evolution of the X-ray to FIR luminosities ratio as predicted by the CMHK population synthesis models, both for constant stellar formation and instantaneous bursts. The results are compared to some sample data taken from the literature. The conclusion drawn from the comparison is that the empirical calibration of the soft X-ray luminosity seems a valid SFR tracer only for starbursts around a rather short period of time.