Abstract
We have developed in detail the theory of X-ray line and continuum production due to atomic interactions of accelerated ions, incorporating in our calculations information from a broad range of laboratory measurements. We applied our calculations to the Orion region from which nuclear gamma-ray line observations with the COMPTEL instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) were reported. The accelerated particles which produce this gamma-ray emission via nuclear reactions also produce X-ray lines via atomic interactions. We predict strong, relatively broad line emission in the range from 0.5 to 1 keV, mainly due to de-excitations in fast O ions. Current ROSAT observations of Orion do not provide unambiguous signatures for X-ray production by accelerated ions. However, if future X-ray observations with high spectral resolution would confirm the predicted X-rays, the combined analysis of the X-ray and gamma-ray data will set important constraints on the origin of the accelerated particles and their interaction model.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
