Elemental composition and distribution in SNRs: X-ray spectroscopy

Abstract

I present a comparative review focusing on three young Supernova Remnants, Cas A, Tycho and Kepler, in the light of recent X-ray observations obtained with the XMM-Newton and Chandra satellites. Recently available, X-ray spectro-imagery of young Supernova Remnants is providing unique information on the interaction region between the ejected material and the ambient medium, as well as on their associated shocks. These observations offer crucial constraints to characterise: the initial density profile of the supernova;

the elemental composition in the ejecta and the spatial distribution of these synthesized elements;

the synchrotron emission from TeV accelerated electrons, the efficiency of particle acceleration at their shocks and the downstream magnetic field.