From intracluster medium dynamics to particle acceleration

Zhang, X. (2022)

Doctoral Thesis

The intracluster medium (ICM) is a hot, tenuous and X-ray emitting gas that pervades galaxy clusters. Meanwhile, extended synchrotron sources, i.e., radio relics and radio halos are frequently observed in galaxy cluster, for which the two widely accepted particle acceleration are shock acceleration and turbulent acceleration, respectively. Both of these scenarios are due to ICM motions, which means that X-ray observations of the ICM are fundamental for quantifying shock wave and turbulence properties to test the acceleration models. This thesis focuses on X-ray observations of galaxy clusters, and covers topics from ICM shock - radio relic connection to turbulence - radio halo connection. The new observational evidences further support the two acceleration scenario.

• High energy astronophysics
• Galaxy clusters
• Intracluster medium
• X-ray imaging
• X-ray spectroscopy
• Particle acceleration

• All authors: Zhang, X.
• Supervisor: Kaastra, J.S.
• Co-supervisor: Simionescu, A.
• Committee: Röttgering, H.J.A.; Hoekstra, H.; Kuijken, K.H.; Wise, M.W.; Ota, N.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Observatory, Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2022-06-29
• ISBN (print): 9789464238617
• Sponsorship: China Scholarship Council