Origin of the cosmic X-ray background: (Invited discourse)

Abstract

In this paper we review the theories which have been proposed to account for the extra-galactic X-ray background. Although there is still no detailed theory, one may devise reasonable models which account in a natural way both for the intensity and the spectral shape over the whole energy band, provided that cosmological evolutionary effects are included. A model based on Compton scattering of cosmic black body photons by relativistic electrons in radio sources at large redshifts (z ≳ 4) seems to give the most satisfactory explanation. However, the data are not yet good enough to discriminate against alternative models.A discussion of the recent observations in the soft X-ray region (< 1 keV), and their relevance to the physics of interstellar and intergalactic gas, is given. The available data are somewhat confusing, but it seems that this part of the spectrum may still be consistent with a simple extrapolation of the non-thermal spectrum at higher energies, though various workers have claimed the detection of a new component probably due to hot intergalactic gas. If this interpretation is correct one may deduce interesting conclusions about the state of ionization and composition of the intergalactic gas, because of the importance of the absorption effects in this energy band.Also it appears that the Galaxy is more transparent than one would deduce from 21-cm observations. However, due to the lack of observational data, no firm conclusions can be reached.