Abstract
We discuss the different physical processes that are important to understand the thermal X-ray emission and absorption spectra of the diffuse gas in clusters of galaxies and the warm-hot intergalactic medium. The ionisation balance, line and continuum emission and absorption properties are reviewed and several practical examples are given that illustrate the most important diagnostic features in the X-ray spectra.
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Kaastra, J.S., Paerels, F.B.S., Durret, F. et al. Thermal Radiation Processes. Space Sci Rev 134, 155–190 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-008-9310-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-008-9310-y