Non-equilibrium Ionization Plasma Research Articles

Investigation of Nonequilibrium Ionization Plasma during a Giant Flare of UX Arietis Triggered with MAXI and Observed with NICER

We detected a giant X-ray flare from the RS CVn–type binary star UX Ari using the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image on 2020 August 17 and started a series of Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer observations 89 minutes later. For a week, the entire duration of the flare was covered with 32 snapshot observations including the rising phase. The X-ray luminosity reached 2 × 1033 erg s−1, and the entire energy release was ∼1038 erg in the 0.5–8.0 keV band. X-ray spectra characterized by continuum emission with lines of Fe xxv Heα and Fe xxvi Lyα were obtained. We found that the temperature peaks before the flux does, which suggests that the period of plasma formation in the magnetic flare loop was captured. Using the continuum information (temperature, flux, and their delay time), we estimated the flare loop size to be ∼3 × 1011 cm and the peak electron density to be ∼4 × 1010 cm−3. Furthermore, using the line ratio of Fe xxv and Fe xxvi, we investigated any potential indications of deviation from collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE). The X-ray spectra were consistent with CIE plasma throughout the flare, but the possibility of an ionizing plasma away from CIE was not rejected in the flux rising phase.

Possible discovery of Calvera’s supernova remnant

We report the discovery of a ring of low surface brightness radio emission around the Calvera pulsar, a high Galactic latitude, isolated neutron star, in the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS). It is centered at α = 14h11m12s.6, δ = +79°23′15″, has inner and outer radii of 14′.2 and 28′.4, and has an integrated flux density at 144 MHz of 1.08 ± 0.15 Jy. The ring center is offset by 4′.9 from the location of the Calvera pulsar. Observations with the Isaac Newton Telescope in the Hα band show no coincident optical emission, but they do show a small (~20″) optical structure internal to the ring. We consider three possible interpretations for the ring: that it is an H II region, a supernova remnant (SNR), or an odd radio circle (ORC). The positional coincidence of the ring, the pulsar, and an X-ray-emitting non-equilibrium ionization plasma previously detected lead us to prefer the SNR interpretation. If the source is indeed a SNR and if its association with the Calvera pulsar is confirmed, then Calvera’s SNR, or G118.4+37.0, will be one of few SNRs in the Galactic halo.

Discovery of non-equilibrium ionization plasma associated with the North Polar Spur and Loop I

ABSTRACT We investigated the detailed plasma condition of the North Polar Spur (NPS)/Loop I using archival Suzaku data. In previous research, collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) have been assumed for X-ray plasma state, but we also assume non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) to check the plasma condition in more detail. We found that most of the plasma in the NPS/Loop I favors the state of NEI, and has the density-weighted ionization timescale of net ∼ 1011–12 s cm−3 and the electron number density ne ∼ a few × 10−3 cm−3. The plasma shock age, t, or the time elapsed after the shock front passed through the plasma, is estimated to be on the order of a few $\rm {Myr}$ for the NPS/Loop I, which puts a strict lower limit to the age of the whole NPS/Loop I structure. We found that NEI results in significantly higher temperature and lower emission measure than those currently derived under CIE assumption. The electron temperature under NEI is estimated to be as high as 0.5 keV toward the brightest X-ray NPS ridge at Δθ = −20○, which decreases to 0.3 keV at −10○, and again increases to ∼0.6 keV towards the outer edge of Loop I at Δθ ∼ 0○, about twice the currently estimated temperatures. Here, Δθ is the angular distance from the outer edge of Loop I. We discuss the implication of introducing NEI for the research in plasma states in astrophysical phenomena.

Nonequilibrium Ionization Plasma during a Large Solar Limb Flare Observed by Hinode/EIS

Abstract This study on plasma heating considers the time-dependent ionization process during a large solar flare on 2017 September 10, observed by Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS). The observed Fe xxiv/Fe xxiii ratios increase downstream of the reconnection outflow, and they are consistent with the time-dependent ionization effect at a constant electron temperature T e = 25 MK. Moreover, this study also shows that the nonthermal velocity, which can be related to the turbulent velocity, reduces significantly along the downstream of the reconnection outflow, even when considering the time-dependent ionization process.

Plasma Diagnostics of the Supernova Remnant N132D using Deep XMM–Newton Observations with the Reflection Grating Spectrometer

Abstract We present XMM–Newton observations of N132D, the X-ray brightest supernova remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud, using the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS), which enables high-resolution spectroscopy in the soft X-ray band. A dozen emission lines from L-shell transitions of Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe at intermediate charge states are newly detected in the RGS data integrating the ∼200 ks on-axis observations. This enables accurate abundance measurements of these elements, whose K-shell emission is out of the RGS bandpass. The 0.3–2.0-keV spectra require at least three components of thermal plasmas with different electron temperatures and indicate clear evidence of non-equilibrium ionization (NEI). Our detailed spectral diagnostics further reveal that the forbidden-to-resonance line ratios of O vii and Ne ix are both higher than expected for typical NEI plasmas. This enhancement could be attributed to either resonance scattering or emission induced by charge exchange in addition to a possible contribution from the superposition of multiple-temperature components, although the lack of spatial information prevents us from concluding which is most likely.

Search for a non-equilibrium plasma in the merging galaxy cluster Abell 754

Abstract Abell 754 is a galaxy cluster in which an ongoing merger is evident on the plane of the sky, from the southeast to the northwest. We study the spatial variation of the X-ray spectra observed with Suzaku along the merging direction, centering on the Fe Ly α/Fe He α line ratio to search for possible deviation from ionization equilibrium. Fitting with a single-temperature collisional non-equilibrium plasma model shows that the electron temperature increases from the southeast to the northwest. The ionization parameter is consistent with that in equilibrium (net > 1013 s cm−3) except for the specific region with the highest temperature ($kT=13.3_{-1.1}^{+1.4}\:$keV) where $n_{\rm e}t=10^{11.6_{-1.7}^{+0.6}}\:$s cm−3. The elapsed time from the plasma heating estimated from the ionization parameter is 0.36–76 Myr at the 90% confidence level. This timescale is quite short but consistent with the traveling time of a shock to pass through that region. We thus interpret that the non-equilibrium ionization plasma in Abell 754 observed is a remnant of the shock heating in the merger process. However, we note that the X-ray spectrum of the specific region where the non-equilibrium is found can also be fitted with a collisional ionization plasma model with two temperatures, low $kT=4.2^{+4.2}_{-1.5}\:$keV and very high kT >19.3 keV. The very high temperature component is alternatively fitted with a power-law model. Either of these spectral models is interpreted as a consequence of the ongoing merger process as in the case of the non-equilibrium ionization plasma.

Suzaku spectra of a Type-II supernova remnant, Kes 79

Abstract This paper reports on results of a Suzaku observation of the supernova remnant (SNR) Kes 79 (G33.6+0.1). The X-ray spectrum is best fitted by a two-temperature model: a non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) plasma and a collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) plasma. The NEI plasma is spatially confined within the inner radio shell with kT ∼ 0.8 keV, while the CIE plasma is found in more spatially extended regions associated with the outer radio shell with kT ∼0.2 keV and solar abundance. Therefore, the NEI plasma is attributable to the SN ejecta, and the CIE plasma is the forward shocked interstellar medium. In the NEI plasma, we discovered K-shell lines of Al, Ar, and Ca for the first time. The abundance pattern and estimated mass of the ejecta are consistent with a core-collapse supernova explosion of a ∼30–40M⊙ progenitor star. An Fe line with a center energy of ∼6.4 keV is also found in the southeast (SE) portion of the SNR, a close peripheral region around dense molecular clouds. One possibility is that the line is associated with the ejecta. However, the centroid energy of ∼6.4 keV and the spatial distribution of enhancement near the SE peripheral do not favor this scenario. Since the ∼6.4 keV emitting region coincides with the molecular clouds, we propose another possibility, that the Fe line is due to K-shell ionization of neutral Fe by the interaction of locally accelerated protons (LECRp) with the surrounding molecular cloud. Both of these possibilities, heated ejecta or LECRp origin, are discussed based on the observational facts.

Suzaku study on the ejecta of the supernova remnant G272.2−3.2

Abstract We report reanalyses of the Suzaku observations of the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G272.2−3.2, for which previous studies were limited below 3 keV. With careful data reduction and background subtraction, we discover the K-shell lines of Ar, Ca, and Fe above 3 keV. The X-ray spectrum of G272.2−3.2 consists of two components, a low-temperature collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) plasma (kTe ∼ 0.2 keV) and a high-temperature non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) plasma (kTe = 0.6–3 keV). The CIE plasma has solar abundances over the entire area, hence it originates from the interstellar medium. On the other hand, the abundances of the NEI plasma increase toward the inner region, suggesting ejecta origin. The line center energy of the Fe K-shell emission (∼6.4 keV) suggests that the ejecta are recently heated by reverse shock, a common feature in Type Ia SNRs.

A Chandra X-ray study of the mixed-morphology supernova remnant 3C 400.2

We present an analysis of archival Chandra observations of the mixed-morphology remnant 3C 400.2. We analysed spectra of different parts of the remnant to observe if the plasma properties provide hints on the origin of the mixed-morphology class. These remnants often show overionization, which is a sign of rapid cooling of the thermal plasma, and supersolar abundances of elements which is a sign of ejecta emission. Our analysis shows that the thermal emission of 3C 400.2 can be well explained by a two-component non-equilibrium ionization model, of which one component is underionized, has a high temperature (kT ≈ 3.9 keV) and supersolar abundances, while the other component has a much lower temperature (kT ≈ 0.14 keV), solar abundances and shows signs of overionization. The temperature structure, abundance values and density contrast between the different model components suggest that the hot component comes from ejecta plasma, while the cooler component has an interstellar matter origin. This provides the first evidence of an overionized plasma found in the outer regions of a supernova remnant, whereas the ejecta component of the inner region is underionized. In addition, the non-equilibrium ionization plasma component associated with the ejecta is confined to the central, brighter parts of the remnant, whereas the cooler component is present mostly in the outer regions. Therefore, our data can most naturally be explained by an evolutionary scenario in which the outer parts of the remnant are cooling rapidly due to having swept-up high-density ambient medium, while the inner parts are very hot and cooling inefficiently due to low density of the plasma. This is also known as the relic X-ray scenario.

SUZAKUMONITORING OF HARD X-RAY EMISSION FROM η CARINAE OVER A SINGLE BINARY ORBITAL CYCLE

The Suzaku X-ray observatory monitored the supermassive binary system Eta Carinae 10 times during the whole 5.5 year orbital cycle between 2005-2011. This series of observations presents the first long-term monitoring of this enigmatic system in the extremely hard X-ray band between 15-40 keV. During most of the orbit, the 15-25 keV emission varied similarly to the 2-10 keV emission, indicating an origin in the hard energy tail of the kT ~4 keV wind-wind collision (WWC) plasma. However, the 15-25 keV emission declined only by a factor of 3 around periastron when the 2-10 keV emission dropped by two orders of magnitude due probably to an eclipse of the WWC plasma. The observed minimum in the 15-25 keV emission occurred after the 2-10 keV flux had already recovered by a factor of ~3. This may mean that the WWC activity was strong, but hidden behind the thick primary stellar wind during the eclipse. The 25-40 keV flux was rather constant through the orbital cycle, at the level measured with INTEGRAL in 2004. This result may suggest a connection of this flux component to the gamma-ray source detected in this field. The Helium-like Fe Kalpha line complex at ~6.7 keV became strongly distorted toward periastron as seen in the previous cycle. The 5-9 keV spectra can be reproduced well with a two-component spectral model, which includes plasma in collision equilibrium (CE) and a plasma in non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) with tau ~1e11 cm-3 s-1. The NEI plasma increases in importance toward periastron.

ANXMM-NEWTONSTUDY OF THE MIXED-MORPHOLOGY SUPERNOVA REMNANT W28 (G6.4–0.1)

We have performed an XMM-Newton imaging and spectroscopic study of supernova remnant (SNR) W28, a prototype mixed-morphology or thermal composite SNR, believed to be interacting with a molecular cloud. The observed hot X-ray emitting plasma is characterized by low metal abundances, showing no evidence of ejecta. The X-rays arising from the deformed northeast shell consist of a thermal component with a temperature of $\sim0.3$ keV plus a hard component of either thermal (temperature $\sim 0.6$ keV) or non-thermal (photon index $=0.9$-2.4) origin. The X-ray emission in the SNR interior is blobby and the corresponding spectra are best described as the emission from a cold ($kT\sim0.4$ keV) plasma in non-equilibrium ionization with an ionization timescale of $\sim4.3\times 10^{11}$ cm$^{-3}$ s plus a hot ($kT \sim 0.8$ keV) gas in collisional ionization equilibrium. Applying the two-temperature model to the smaller central regions, we find non-uniform interstellar absorption, temperature and density distribution, which indicates that the remnant is evolving in a non-uniform environment with denser material in the east and north. The cloudlet evaporation mechanism can essentially explain the properties of the X-ray emission in the center and thermal conduction may also play a role for length scales comparable to the remnant radius. A recombining plasma model with an electron temperature of $\sim 0.6$ keV is also feasible for describing the hot central gas with the recombination age of the gas estimated at $\sim2.9\times 10^4$ yr.

Abundances in the ejecta of core-collapse supernova remnants G350.1−0.3 and G349.7+0.2

Abstract We present Suzaku results of the two Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) G350.1−0.3 and G349.7+0.2. We find Al and Ni Kα lines from both the SNRs for the first time, in addition to previously detected K-shell lines of Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe. The spectra are well described by two optically thin thermal plasmas: a low-temperature (low-kT) plasma in collisional ionization equilibrium and a high-temperature (high-kT) plasma in non-equilibrium ionization. Since the low-kT plasma has solar metal abundances, it is thought to be of interstellar medium origin. The high-kT plasma has super-solar abundances, hence it is likely to be of ejecta origin. The abundance patterns of the ejecta components are similar to those of core-collapse supernovae with progenitor masses of ∼ 15–25 M⊙ for G350.1−0.3 and ∼ 35–40 M⊙ for G349.7+0.2. We find extremely high abundances of Ni compared to Fe (ZNi/ZFe ∼ 8). Based on the measured column densities between the SNRs and the near sky background, we propose that G350.1−0.3 and G349.7+0.2 are located at distances of 9 ± 3 kpc and 12 ± 5 kpc, respectively. Then the ejecta masses are estimated to be ∼ 13 M⊙ and ∼ 24 M⊙ for G350−0.3 and G349.7+0.2, respectively. These values are consistent with the progenitor masses of ∼ 15–25 M⊙ and ∼ 35–40 M⊙ for G350.1−0.3 and G349.7+0.2, respectively.

Suzaku discovery of Fe K-shell line from the O-rich SNR G292.0+1.8

Abstract We report the Suzaku/XIS results of the Galactic oxygen-rich supernova remnant G292.0+1.8, a remnant of a core-collapse supernova. The X-ray spectrum of G292.0+1.8 consists of two types of plasma, one is in collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) and the other is in non-equilibrium ionization (NEI). The CIE plasma has nearly solar abundances, and hence would be originated from the circumstellar and interstellar mediums. The NEI plasma has super-solar abundances, and the abundance pattern indicates that the plasma originates from the supernova ejecta with a main sequence of 30–35 M⊙. The iron K-shell line at an energy of 6.6 keV is detected for the first time in the NEI plasma.

Validation of Spectroscopic Model for Fe Ions in Non-Equilibrium Ionization Plasma in LHD and Hinode

We measured extreme ultraviolet spectra of Fe ions for plasmas produced in the Large Helical Device (LHD) at the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS). Iron was injected into the plasmas by using a tracer– encapsulated pellet. By controlling the neutral beam injection pattern, we could produce plasma with a central electron temperature of approximately 500eV, which was suitable for producing Fe XVII ions. We measured seven Fe XVII lines. The intensity ratio for λ of 20.468 to 25.493nm was consistent with the theoretically calculated value of 1.1. This calculated value was determined purely from the branching ratio due to the common upper level of these transitions, although Warren et al. [Astrphys. J. 685, 1277 (2008)] reported a larger ratio of approxinately 2 from Hinode EIS measurements. The other five ratios for Fe XVII lines in our LHD measurements were also consistent with the theoretical ratios calculated with a collisional–radiative model. A preferred atomic dataset for Fe XVII is suggested to obtain better agreement between the measured and calculated ratios.

CHANDRAANDXMM-NEWTONSTUDIES OF THE SUPERNOVA REMNANT G292.2-0.5 ASSOCIATED WITH THE PULSAR J1119-6127

We present the first detailed imaging and spatially resolved spectroscopic study of the Galactic supernova remnant G292.2-0.5, associated with the high-magnetic field radio pulsar J1119-6127, using Chandra and XMM-Newton. The high-resolution X-ray images reveal a partially limb-brightened morphology in the west, with diffuse emission concentrated towards the interior of the remnant unlike the complete shell-like morphology observed at radio wavelengths. The spectra of most of the diffuse emission regions within the remnant are best described by a thermal+non-thermal model. The thermal component is described by a plane-parallel, non-equilibrium ionization plasma model with a temperature ranging from 1.3 keV in the western side of the remnant to 2.3 keV in the east, a column density increasing from 1.0e22 cm^-2 in the west to 1.8e22 cm^-2 in the east, and a low ionization timescale ranging from 5.7e9 cm^-3 s in the SNR interior to 3.6e10 cm^-3 s in the western side - suggestive of expansion of a young remnant in a low-density medium. The spatial and spectral differences across the SNR are consistent with the presence of a dark cloud in the eastern part of the SNR, absorbing the soft X-ray emission. The spectra from some of the regions also show slightly enhanced metal abundances from Ne, Mg and Si, hinting at the first evidence for ejecta heated by the reverse shock. Comparing our inferred metal abundances to core-collapse nucleosynthesis models yields, we estimate a high progenitor mass of ~30 solar mass suggesting a type Ib/c supernova. We confirm the presence of non-thermal hard X-ray emission from regions close to the pulsar. We estimate an SNR age range between 4.2 kyr (free expansion phase) and 7.1 kyr (Sedov phase), a factor of a few higher than the measured pulsar's age upper limit of 1.9 kyr.

X-RAY EMISSION FROM AN ASYMMETRIC BLAST WAVE AND A MASSIVE WHITE DWARF IN THE GAMMA-RAY EMITTING NOVA V407 Cyg

Classical nova events in symbiotic stars, although rare, offer a unique opportunity to probe the interaction between ejecta and a dense environment in stellar explosions. In this work, we use X-ray data obtained with Swift and Suzaku during the recent classical nova outburst in V407 Cyg to explore such an interaction. We find evidence of both equilibrium and non-equilibrium ionization plasmas at the time of peak X-ray brightness, indicating a strong asymmetry in the density of the emitting region. Comparing a simple model to the data, we find that the X-ray evolution is broadly consistent with nova ejecta driving a forward shock into the dense wind of the Mira companion. We detect a highly absorbed soft X-ray component in the spectrum during the first 50 days of the outburst that is consistent with supersoft emission from the nuclear burning white dwarf. The high temperature and short turn off time of this emission component, in addition to the observed breaks in the optical and UV lightcurves, indicate that the white dwarf in the binary is extremely massive. Finally, we explore the connections between the X-ray and GeV gamma-ray evolution, and propose that the gamma ray turn-off is due to the stalling of the forward shock as the ejecta reach the red giant surface.

Ejecta detection in the middle-aged Galactic supernova remnant G296.1−0.5 observed with Suzaku

In this paper, we report the detection of ejecta in the middle-aged Galactic supernova remnant G296.1−0.5 with the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer onboard the Suzaku satellite. The spectra of three lobes, north, south-east and south-west and interlobe regions, consist of soft (0.3–2.0 keV) emission originated from non-equilibrium ionization plasma. In north, south-east and interlobe regions, the thermal emission can be represented by a one-component non-equilibrium ionization (VNEI) model, in south-west region it can be represented by two-component VNEI model. The spectra of studied regions have lines of N, O, Ne, Mg and Si elements. Si emission from this remnant is shown for the first time in this work. Enhanced abundances of Ne, Mg and Si elements obtained show the ejecta contribution in all regions. Assuming that the remnant is in Sedov phase, we obtained ambient density n0∼ 0.45 cm−3, age t ∼ 2.8 × 104 yr, shock velocity Vs∼ 320 km s−1, shock temperature Ts∼ 1.2 × 106 K and swept-up mass Msw∼ 340 M⊙ at an adopted distance of d= 3 kpc.

Suzaku observations of ejecta-dominated Galactic supernova remnant G346.6−0.2

We present here the results of the X-ray analysis of Galactic supernova remnant G346.6-0.2 observed with {\it Suzaku}. K-shell emission lines of Mg, Si, S, Ca and Fe are detected clearly for the first time. Strong emission lines of Si and S imply that X-ray emission nature of G346.6-0.2 is ejecta-dominated. The ejecta-dominated emission is well fitted with a combined model consisting of thermal plasma in non-equilibrium ionization and a non-thermal component, which can be regarded as synchrotron emission with a photon index of $\Gamma$ $\sim 0.6$. Absorbing column density of $N_{\rm H}\sim2.1\times10^{22}$ ${\rm cm^{-2}}$ is obtained from the best-fitting implying a high-density medium, high electron temperature of $kT_{\rm e}\sim1.2$ keV, and ionization timescale of $n_{\rm e}t\sim2.9\times10^{11}$ ${\rm cm^{-3}s}$ indicating that this remnant may be far from full ionization equilibrium. The relative abundances from the ejecta show that the remnant originates from a Type Ia supernova explosion.

LINE-OF-SIGHT SHELL STRUCTURE OF THE CYGNUS LOOP

We conducted a comprehensive study on the shell structure of the Cygnus Loop using 41 observation data obtained by the Suzaku and the XMM-Newton satellites. To investigate the detailed plasma structure of the Cygnus Loop, we divided our fields of view into 1042 box regions. From the spectral analysis, the spectra obtained from the limb of the Loop are well fitted by the single-component non-equilibrium ionization plasma model. On the other hand, the spectra obtained from the inner regions are well fitted by the two-component model. As a result, we confirmed that the low-temperature and the high-temperature components originated from the surrounding interstellar matter (ISM) and the ejecta of the Loop, respectively. From the best-fit results, we showed a flux distribution of the ISM component. The distribution clearly shows the limb-brightening structure, and we found out some low-flux regions. Among them, the south blowout region has the lowest flux. We also found other large low-flux regions at slightly west and the northeast from the center. We estimated the former thin shell region to be 1.3 degrees in diameter and concluded that there exists a blowout along the line of sight in addition to the south blowout. We also calculated the emission measure distribution of the ISM component and showed that the Cygnus Loop is far from the result obtained by a simple Sedov evolution model. From the results, we support that the Cygnus Loop originated from a cavity explosion. The emission measure distribution also suggests that the cavity-wall density is higher in the northeast than that in the southwest. These results suggest that the thickness of the cavity wall surrounding the Cygnus Loop is not uniform.

Abundance Inhomogeneity in the Northern Rim of the Cygnus Loop

Abstract We observed the northern rim of the Cygnus Loop with the Suzaku observatory in 5 pointings (P21–P25). From a spatially resolved analysis, all of the spectra were well fitted by a single component of the non-equilibrium ionization plasma model. From the best-fit parameters, we found that the abundances of the heavy elements are significantly lower than the solar values, except for those at the outermost edge in P21 and P22. The origin of the depleted metal abundances is still unclear, while such deficiencies have been reported from many other rim observations of the Loop. To explain these depletions at the rim regions, we considered several possibilities. The effects of resonance-line-scattering and grain condensation lower the values of the abundances. However, these are not sufficient to account for the observed abundance depletion.