Argon X-ray absorption in the local ISM

Abstract

We present the first comprehensive analysis of the argon K-edge absorption region (3.1-4.2 Å) using high-resolution HETGS {\it Chandra} spectra of 33 low-mas X-ray binaries. Utilizing R-matrix theory, we computed new K photoabsorption cross-sections for {\rm Ar}~{\sc i}--{\rm Ar}~{\sc xvi} species. For each X-ray source, we estimated column densities for the {\rm Ar}~{\sc i}, {\rm Ar}~{\sc ii}, {\rm Ar}~{\sc iii}, {\rm Ar}~{\sc xvi}, {\rm Ar}~{\sc xvii} and {\rm Ar}~{\sc xviii} ions, which trace the neutral, warm and hot components of the gaseous Galactic interstellar medium. We examined their distribution as a function of Galactic latitude, longitude, and distances to the sources. However, no significant correlations were discerned among distances, Galactic latitude, or longitude. Future X-ray observatories will allow us to benchmark the atomic data as the main resonance lines will be resolved.

10 pages, 6 figures

References in corpus (14)

• Modelling Dust Evolution in Galaxies with a Multiphase, Inhomogeneous ISM
• Interstellar and Ejecta Dust in the Cas A Supernova Remnant
• Ionization correction factors and dust depletion patterns in giant HII regions
• The effects of different Type Ia SN yields on Milky Way chemical evolution
• ISMabs: a comprehensive X-ray absorption model for the interstellar medium
• Dust absorption and scattering in the silicon K-edge
• Investigating the interstellar dust through the Fe K-edge
• Probing the structure of the gas in the Milky Way through X-ray high resolution spectroscopy
• K-shell photoionization of Na-like to Cl-like ions of Mg, Si, S, Ar, and Ca
• Physical properties of the interstellar medium using high-resolution Chandra spectra: O K-edge absorption
• Simultaneous detection of an intrinsic absorber and a compact jet emission in the X-ray binary IGR J17091-3624 during a hard accretion state
• Searching for the warm-hot intergalactic medium using XMM-Newton high-resolution X-ray spectra
• The hot interstellar medium towards 4U 1820-30: a Bayesian analysis
• Chandra X-ray Measurement of Gas-phase Heavy Element Abundances in the Central Parsec of the Galaxy