X-rays from magnetic intermediate mass Ap/Bp stars

Abstract

The X-ray emission of magnetic intermediate mass Ap/Bp stars is reviewed and put into context of intrinsic as well as extrinsic hypotheses for its origin. New X-ray observations of Ap/Bp stars are presented and combined with an updated analysis of the available datasets, providing the largest sample of its type that is currently available. In the studied stars the X-ray detections are found predominantly among the more massive, hotter and more luminous targets. Their X-ray properties are quite diverse and beside strong soft X-ray emission significant magnetic activity is frequently present. While a connection between more powerful winds and brighter X-ray emission is expected in intrinsic models, the scatter in X-ray luminosity at given bolometric luminosity is so far unexplained and several observational features like X-ray light curves and flaring, luminosity distributions and spectral properties are often similar to those of low-mass stars. It remains to be seen if these features can be fully reproduced by magnetospheres of intermediate mass stars.The article discusses implications for magnetically confined wind-shock models (MCWS) and stellar magnetospheres under the assumption that the intrinsic model is applicable, but also examines the role of possible companions. Further, related magnetospheric phenomena are presented and an outlook on future perspectives is given.