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Multivariate Monte Carlo Methods for the Reflection Grating Spectrometers on XMM-Newton

J. R. Peterson·J. G. Jernigan·S. M. Kahn
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Abstract

We propose a novel multivariate Monte Carlo method as an efficient and flexible approach to analyzing extended X-ray sources with the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) on XMM Newton. A multi-dimensional interpolation method is used to efficiently calculate the response function for the RGS in conjunction with an arbitrary spatially-varying spectral model. Several methods of event comparison that effectively compare the multivariate RGS data are discussed. The use of a multi-dimensional instrument Monte Carlo also creates many opportunities for the use of complex astrophysical Monte Carlo calculations in diffuse X-ray spectroscopy. The methods presented here could be generalized to other X-ray instruments as well.

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J. R. Peterson, J. G. Jernigan, S. M. Kahn. 2004-10-26. Multivariate Monte Carlo Methods for the Reflection Grating Spectrometers on XMM-Newton. https://doi.org/10.1086/424436

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