arXiv subjects

Y. Ikebe

Publications and source records attributed to Y. Ikebe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2009

X-ray Diagnostics of Thermal Conditions of the Hot Plasmas in the Centaurus Cluster

X-ray data of the Centaurus cluster, obtained with {\it XMM-Newton} for 45 ksec, were analyzed. Deprojected EPIC spectra from concentric thin shell regions were reproduced equally well by a single-phase plasma emission model, or by a two-phase model developed by {\it ASCA}, both incorporating cool (1.7--2.0 keV) and hot ($\sim 4$ keV) plasma temperatures. However, EPIC spectra with higher statistics, accumulated over 3-dimentional thick shell regions, were reproduced better by the two-phase model than by the singe-phase one. Therefore, hot and cool plasma phases are inferred to co-exist in the cluster core region within $\sim 70$ kpc. The iron and silicon abundances of the plasma were reconfirmed to increase significantly towards the center, while that of oxygen was consistent with being radially constant. The implied non-solar abundance ratios explains away the previously reported excess X-ray absorption from the central region. Although an additional cool ($\sim 0.7$ keV) emission was detected within $\sim 20$ kpc of the center, the RGS data gave tight upper limits on any emission with a tempeartures below $\sim 0.5$ keV. These results are compiled into a magnetosphere model, which interprets the cool phase as confined within closed magnetic loops anchored to the cD galaxy. When combined with so-called Rosner-Tucker-Vaiana mechanism which applies to solar coronae, this model can potentially explain basic properties of the cool phase, including its temperature and thermal stability.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2008

X-ray properties in massive galaxy clusters: XMM-Newton observations of the REFLEX-DXL sample

We selected an unbiased, flux-limited and almost volume-complete sample of 13 distant, X-ray luminous (DXL, $z\sim 0.3$) clusters and one supplementary cluster at $z=0.2578$ from the REFLEX Survey (the REFLEX-DXL sample). We performed a detailed study to explore their X-ray properties using XMM-Newton observations. Based on the precise radial distributions of the gas density and temperature, we obtained robust cluster masses and gas mass fractions. The average gas mass fraction of the REFLEX-DXL sample at $r_{500}$, $0.116 \pm 0.007$, agrees with the previous cluster studies and the WMAP baryon fraction measurement. The scaled profiles of the surface brightness, temperature, entropy, gas mass and total mass are characterized by a self-similar behaviour at radii above 0.2--0.3 $r_{500}$. The REFLEX-DXL sample confirms the previous studies of the normalization of the scaling relations ($L$--$T$, $L$--$M$, $M$--$T$ and $M_{\rm gas}$--$T$) when the redshift evolution of the scaling relations is accounted for. We investigated the scatter of the scaling relations of the REFLEX-DXL sample. This gives the correlative scatter of (0.20,0.10) for variable of ($M$,$T$) of the $M_{500}$--$T$ relation, for example.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Electrically driven spin excitation in a ferroelectric magnet DyMnO_3

Temperature (5--250 K) and magnetic field (0--70 kOe) variations of the low-energy (1--10 meV) electrodynamics of spin excitations have been investigated for a complete set of light-polarization configurations for a ferroelectric magnet DyMnO$_3$ by using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. We identify the pronounced absorption continuum (1--8 meV) with a peak feature around 2 meV, which is electric-dipole active only for the light $E$-vector along the a-axis. This absorption band grows in intensity with lowering temperature from the spin-collinear paraelectric phase above the ferroelectric transition, but is independent of the orientation of spiral spin plane ($bc$ or $ab$), as shown on the original $P_{\rm s}$ (ferroelectric polarization) $\parallel c$ phase as well as the magnetic field induced $P_{\rm s}\parallel a$ phase. The possible origin of this electric-dipole active band is argued in terms of the large fluctuations of spins and spin-current.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2007

Statistics of X-ray observables for the cooling-core and non-cooling core galaxy clusters

We present a statistical study of the occurrence and effects of the cooling cores in the clusters of galaxies in a flux-limited sample, HIFLUGCS, based on ROSAT and ASCA observations. About 49% of the clusters in this sample have a significant, classically-calculated cooling-flow, mass-deposition rate. The upper envelope of the derived mass-deposition rate is roughly proportional to the cluster mass, and the fraction of cooling core clusters is found to decrease with it. The cooling core clusters are found to have smaller core radii than non-cooling core clusters, while some non-cooling core clusters have high $β$ values (> 0.8). In the relation of the X-ray luminosity vs. the temperature and the mass, the cooling core clusters show a significantly higher normalization. A systematic correlation analysis, also involving relations of the gas mass and the total infrared luminosity, indicates that this bias is shown to be mostly due to an enhanced X-ray luminosity for cooling core clusters, while the other parameters, like temperature, mass, and gas mass may be less affected by the occurrence of a cooling core. These results may be explained by at least some of the non-cooling core clusters being in dynamically young states compared with cooling core clusters, and they may turn into cooling core clusters in a later evolutionary stage.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Exploring the Structure of Galaxy Clusters: XMM-Newton observations of the REFLEX-DXL clusters at z~0.3

The precise determination of global properties of galaxy clusters, and their scaling relations, is a task of prime importance for the use of clusters as cosmological probes. We performed a detailed XMM-Newton study of 14 X-ray luminous REFLEX Survey clusters at z~0.3. We found that the properties of the galaxy clusters show a self-similar behavior at r>0.1r_{vir}. This helps to establish tighter scaling relations. Peculiarities in the individual clusters are important to understand the scatter from the self-similar frame in the cluster central parts.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Spatial distributions of the REFLEX-DXL galaxy clusters at z~0.3 observed by XMM-Newton

We present XMM-Newton results on the spatially resolved temperature profiles of eight massive galaxy clusters of a volume-limited sample at redshifts $z\sim0.3$ (REFLEX-DXL sample) and an additional luminous cluster at $z=0.2578$, selected from the REFLEX survey. Useful temperature measurements could be performed out to radii with overdensity 500 ($r_{500}$). The scaled temperature distributions show good similarities. We discovered diversities in the temperature gradients at the outer cluster radii with examples of both flat and strongly decreasing profiles which call for different physical interpretations. We found an indication of the 'warm-hot' gas existing in or around the hot clusters. Using RXCJ0307.0-2840 we demonstrate that the errors on the mass estimates are within 25% up to r_{500}.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Implications of the central metal abundance peak in cooling core clusters of galaxies

Recent XMM-Newton observations of clusters of galaxies have provided detailed information on the distribution of heavy elements in the central regions of clusters with cooling cores providing strong evidence that most of these metals come from recent SN type Ia. In this paper we compile information on the cumulative mass profiles of iron, the most important metallicity tracer. We find that long enrichment times (larger than 5 Gyr) are necessary to produce the central abundance peaks. Classical cooling flows, a strongly convective intracluster medium, and a complete metal mixing by cluster mergers would destroy the observed abundance peaks too rapidly. Thus the observations set strong constraints on cluster evolution models requiring that the cooling cores in clusters are preserved over very long times. We further conclude from the observations that the innermost part of the intracluster medium is most probably dominated by gas originating predominantly from stellar mass loss of the cD galaxy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Temperature gradients in XMM-Newton observed REFLEX-DXL galaxy clusters at z~0.3

We present XMM-Newton results on the temperature profiles of a volume-limited sample of galaxy clusters at redshifts z~0.3, selected from the REFLEX survey (REFLEX-DXL sample). In the spectral analysis, where only the energies above 1 keV were considered, we obtained consistent results on the temperature derived from the EPN, EMOS1 and EMOS2 data. Useful temperature measurements could be performed out to radii with overdensity 500 (r500) for all nine clusters. We discovered a diversity in the temperature gradients at the outer cluster radii with examples of both flat and strongly decreasing profiles. Using the total mass and the gas mass profiles for the cluster RXCJ0307.0-2840 we demonstrate that the errors on the mass estimates for the REFLEX-DXL clusters are within 25% up to r500.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Properties of the background of EPIC-pn onboard XMM-Newton

We have investigated the background properties of EPIC-pn onboard XMM-Newton to establish the background subtraction method. Count rates of the background vary violently by two orders of magnitude at the maximum, while during the most quiet period, these are stable within 8 % at a 1 $σ$ level. The overall spectrum is dominated by particle events above 5 keV, and its spatial variation is also found. The long-term variation of the background is also investigated with CAL CLOSED data, where the filter wheel was in closed position with the internal calibration source illuminating the sensitive area. The average background count rate decreased by 20 % from March 2000 to January 2001, but it regained in February 2001. For the modeling of the background spectrum, we investigate relations between the 2.0--7.0 keV count rate and some characteristic parameters. The 2.0--7.0 keV background count rate shows a good correlation with the count rate of events outside the field of view. This correlation is usable for the modeling of the background.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Properties of the background of EPIC onboard XMM-Newton

Understanding a background is crucial in particular for a study of low surface brightness objects. In order to establish the background subtraction method, we have studied properties of the EPIC background. Count rates of the background vary violently by two order of magnitude at the maximum, while during the most quiet period, these are stable within 8 % at a 1 $σ$ level. The overall spectrum is dominated by particle events above 5 keV, and its spatial variation is also found. The long-term variation of the background is also investigated with CAL CLOSED data, which is the data of calibration source with filter closed. The average background count rate decreased by 20 % from March 2000 to January 2001, but it regained in February 2001. For the modeling of the background spectrum, we investigate correlations between the 2-10 keV count rate and some characteristic parameters. The PN background shows a good correlation with some parameters. On the other hands, the MOS background does not shows a clear correlation. Further investigation is needed for the MOS background. Our final goal is to establish a method to predict the background, for which these results will be reflected in the background generator.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Detection of an Iron Emission Feature from the Lensed BAL QSO H1413+117 at z=2.56

We present the X-ray energy spectrum of the lensed BAL QSO H1413+117 (the Cloverleaf) at z=2.56 observed with the Chandra X-ray observatory. We detected 293 photons in a 40 ks Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS-S) observation. The X-ray image consists of four lensed image components, thus the photons are from the lensed QSO itself. The overall spectrum can be described with a power-law function heavily absorbed by neutral matter at a redshift consistent with the QSO redshift. This supports the idea that intrinsic absorption is significant for BAL QSOs. The spectral fit significantly (99% confidence) improves when we include an emission line. The centroid energy and intrinsic width (Gaussian σ) of the line are 6.21 \pm 0.16 keV and 220 ^{+270}_{-130} eV (90% errors), respectively, in the QSO rest frame, assuming the absorbed power-law as the continuum. The equivalent width of the line in the QSO rest frame is 960 ^{+1400}_{-480} eV. We suggest that the large equivalent width, the centroid energy, and the line broadness can be explained by iron K emission arising from X-ray reprocessing in the BAL flow, assuming it has a conical thin-sheet structure.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

The New Emerging Model for the Structure of Cooling Cores in Clusters of Galaxies

New X-ray observations with XMM-Newton show a lack of spectral evidence for large amounts of cooling and condensing gas in the centers of galaxy clusters believed to harbour strong cooling flows. Here, we explore these diagnostics of the temperature structure of cooling cores with XMM-spectroscopy. We further find no evidence of intrinsic absorption in the center of the cooling flows of M87 and the Perseus cluster. To explain these findings we consider the heating of the core regions of clusters by jets from a central AGN. We find that the power of the AGN jets as estimated by their interaction effects with the intracluster medium in several examples is more then sufficient to heat the cooling flows. We explore which requirements such a heating model has to fulfill and find a very promising scenario of self-regulated Bondi accretion of the central black hole. In summary it is argued that most observational evidence points towards much lower mass deposition rates than previously inferred for cooling flow clusters.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

The New Emerging Model for the Structure of Cooling Cores in Clusters of Galaxies

New X-ray observations with XMM-Newton show a lack of spectral evidence for large amounts of cooling and condensing gas in the centers of galaxy clusters believed to harbour strong cooling flows. The paper reexplores the cooling flow scenario in the light of the new observations. We explore the diagnostics of the temperature structure of cooling cores with XMM-spectroscopy, tests for intracluster X-ray absorption towards central AGN, the effect of metal abundance inhomogeneities, and the implications of high resolution images in the centers of clusters. We find no evidence of intrinsic absorption in the center of the cooling flows of M87 and the Perseus cluster. We further consider the effect of cluster rotation in cooling flow regions in the frame of cosmic structure evolution models. Also the heating of the core regions of clusters by jets from a central AGN is reconsidered. We find that the power of the AGN jets as estimated by their interaction effects with the intracluster medium in several examples is more then sufficient to heat the cooling flows and to reduce the mass deposition rates. We explore in more detail which requirements such a heating model has to fulfill to be consistent with all observations, point out the way such a model could be constructed, and argue that such model building seems to be successful. In summary it is argued that most observational evidence points towards much lower mass deposition rates than previously inferred in the central region of clusters thought to contain strong cooling flows.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

X-ray Evidence for Spectroscopic Diversity of Type Ia Supernovae: XMM observation of the elemental abundance pattern in M87

We present the results of a detailed element abundance study of hot gas in M87, observed by XMM-Newton. We choose two radial bins, 1'-3' and 8'-16' (8'-14' for EMOS; hereafter the central and the outer zones), where the temperature is almost constant, to carry out the detailed abundance measurements of O, Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca, Fe and Ni using EPIC-PN (EPN) and -MOS (EMOS) data. First, we find that the element abundance pattern in the central compared to the outer zone in M87 is characterized by SN Ia enrichment of a high (roughly solar) ratio of Si-group elements (Si, S, Ar, Ca) to Fe, implying that Si burning in SN Ia is highly incomplete. In nucleosynthesis modeling this is associated with either a lower density of the deflagration-detonation transition and/or lower C/O and/or lower central ignition density and observationally detected as optically subluminous SNe Ia in early-type galaxies. Second, we find that SN Ia enrichment has a systematically lower ratio of the Si-group elements to Fe by 0.2 dex in the outer zone associated with the ICM of the Virgo cluster. We find that such a ratio and even lower values by another 0.1 dex are a characteristic of the ICM in many clusters using observed Si:S:Fe ratios as found with ASCA. Third, the Ni/Fe ratio in the central zone of M87 is 1.5+/-0.3 solar (meteoritic), while values around 3 times solar are reported for other clusters. In modeling of SN Ia, this implies a reduced influence of fast deflagration SN Ia models in the chemical enrichment of M87's ISM. Thus, to describe the SN Ia metal enrichment in clusters, both deflagration as well as delayed detonation scenarios are required, supporting a similar conclusion, derived from optical studies on SNe Ia. Abridged.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

ASCA Temperature Maps of Three Clusters of Galaxies Abell 1060, AWM7, and the Centaurus Cluster

We present two-dimensional temperature maps of three bright clusters of galaxies Abell 1060, AWM7, and the Centaurus cluster, based on multi-pointing observations with the ASCA GIS. The temperatures are derived from hardness ratios by taking into account the XRT response. For the Centaurus cluster, we subtracted the central cool component using the previous ASCA and ROSAT results, and the metallicity gradients observed in AWM7 and the Centaurus cluster were included in deriving the temperatures. The intracluster medium in Abell 1060 and AWM7 is almost isothermal from the center to outer regions with a temperature of 3.3 and 3.9 keV, respectively. The Centaurus cluster exhibits remarkable hot regions within about 30' from the cluster center showing a temperature increase of +0.8 keV from the surrounding level of 3.5 keV, and outer cool regions with lower temperatures by -1.3 keV. These results imply that a strong merger has occurred in the Centaurus in the recent 2-3 Gyr, and the central cool component has survived it. In contrast, the gas in Abell 1060 was well-mixed in an early period, which probably has prevented the development of the central cool component. In AWM7, mixing of the gas should have occurred in a period earlier than the epoch of metal enrichment.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

UV observations of the galaxy cluster Abell 1795 with the optical monitor on XMM-Newton

We present the results of an analysis of broad band UV observations of the central regions of Abell 1795 observed with the optical monitor on XMM-Newton. As have been found with other UV observations of the central regions of clusters of galaxies, we find evidence for star formation. However, we also find evidence for absorption in the cD galaxy on a more extended scale than has been seen with optical imaging. We also report the first UV observation of part of the filamentary structure seen in H$α$, X-rays and very deep U band imaging. The part of the filament we see is very blue with UV colours consistent with a very early (O/B) stellar population. This is the first direct evidence of a dominant population of early type stars at the centre of Abell 1795 and implies very recent star formation at the centre of this cluster

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

X-ray Spectroscopy of the Cluster of Galaxies Abell 1795 with XMM-Newton

The initial results from XMM-Newton observations of the rich cluster of galaxies Abell 1795 are presented. The spatially-resolved X-ray spectra taken by the European Photon Imaging Cameras (EPIC) show a temperature drop at a radius of $\sim 200$ kpc from the cluster center, indicating that the ICM is cooling. Both the EPIC and the Reflection Grating Spectrometers (RGS) spectra extracted from the cluster center can be described by an isothermal model with a temperature of $\sim 4$ keV. The volume emission measure of any cool component ($<1$ keV) is less than a few % of the hot component at the cluster center. A strong OVIII Lyman-alpha line was detected with the RGS from the cluster core. The O abundance and its ratio to Fe at the cluster center is 0.2--0.5 and 0.5--1.5 times the solar value, respectively.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Detection of an X-Ray Hot Region in the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies with ASCA

Based on mapping observations with ASCA, an unusual hot region with a spatial extent of 1 square degree was discovered between M87 and M49 at a center coordinate of R. A. = 12h 27m 36s and Dec. = $9^\circ18'$ (J2000). The X-ray emission from the region has a 2-10 keV flux of $1 \times 10^{-11}$ ergs s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$ and a temperature of $kT \gtrsim 4$ keV, which is significantly higher than that in the surrounding medium of $\sim 2$ keV. The internal thermal energy in the hot region is estimated to be $V n k T \sim 10^{60}$ ergs with a gas density of $\sim 10^{-4}$ cm$^{-3}$. A power-law spectrum with a photon index $1.7-2.3$ is also allowed by the data. The hot region suggests there is an energy input due to a shock which is probably caused by the motion of the gas associated with M49, infalling toward the M87 cluster with a velocity $\gtrsim 1000$ km s$^{-1}$.

astro-ph↗