Deep Chandra X-ray Observatory imaging study of the very young stellar cluster IC 348

We have obtained a deep (53 ks) X-ray image of the very young stellar cluster IC 348 with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer on board the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. In our image with a sensitivity limit of similar to1 x 10(28) ergs s(-1) (more than 10 times deeper than our ROSAT images of IC 348), 215 X-ray sources are detected. While 115 of these sources can be identified with known cluster members, 58 X-ray sources are most likely new, still unidentified cluster members. About 80% of all known cluster members with masses between similar to0.15 and 2 M. are visible as X-ray sources in our image. We discover X-ray emission at levels of similar to 10(28) ergs s(-1) from four of 13 known brown dwarfs and from three of 12 brown dwarf candidates in IC 348. We also detect X-ray emission from two deeply embedded objects, presumably class I protostars, south of the cluster center.