The X-Ray Background in Isotropic World Models

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to describe the diffuse X-ray background in terms of Compton radiation from cosmic ray electrons in intergalactic space. Similarities between the X-ray and radio source spectra suggest that fast electrons escape more or less freely from radio galaxies. It is assumed that the time scale of electron injection is small compared with the characteristic time of evolution of the universe. The electrons are considered to lose energy through Compton scattering (due to the presence of the universal black-body radiation at 3°K) and by expansion of the coordinate system.