Charge Exchange X-Ray Emission Detected in Multiple Shells of Supernova Remnant G296.1-0.5

Recent high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy revealed the possible presence of charge exchange (CX) X-ray emission in supernova remnants (SNRs). Although CX is expected to take place at the outermost edges of SNR shells, no significant measurement has been reported so far due to the lack of nearby SNR samples. Here we present an X-ray study of SNR G296.1-0.5, which has a complicated multiple-shell structure, with the Reflection Grating Spectrometer on board XMM-Newton. We select two shells in different regions and find that in both regions the O vii line shows a high forbidden-to-resonance (f/r) ratio that cannot be reproduced by a simple thermal model. Our spectral analysis suggests a presence of CX and the result is also supported by our new radio observation, where we discover evidence of molecular clouds associated with these shells. Assuming G296.1-0.5 has a spherical shock, we estimate that CX is dominant in a thin layer with a thickness of 0.2%-0.3% of the shock radius. The result is consistent with a previous theoretical expectation and we therefore conclude that CX occurs in G296.1-0.5.

Automated summary

Recent high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy has revealed the possible occurrence of charge exchange X-ray emission in supernova remnants. Through the X-ray study of SNR G296.1-0.5, it was found that the oxygen vii line showed a high forbidden-to-resonance ratio in two different regions, which cannot be explained by a simple thermal model. Spectral analysis suggests the presence of charge exchange, which is supported by new radio observations indicating the presence of molecular clouds associated with the shells.