X-ray Spectral Diagnostics for Coronal Loops in the Active K Dwarf AB Doradus

Abstract

We discuss theoretical X-ray spectra for coronal loop models in the rapidly rotating young K dwarf AB Doradus (HD 36705), as a typical representative of active X-ray bright stars. The loop models are based on EXOSAT and IUE observations, and further motivated by a possible connection between the observed X-ray flares and co-rotating clouds of neutral hydrogen (a few/day). The resulting synthetic spectra between 0.5 – 7 keV can be approximated by a linear combination of three distinct temperature components. Two components are sufficient between 0.5 – 2.5 keV. Below 0.1 keV the loop spectra deviate significantly from the few component fits. To test some basic assumptions (dynamic vs. static, constant vs. variable cross-sectional area), useful constraints on the DEM(T)-distribution could be obtained with the grating-spectrometer of XMM with 10³ – 10⁴sec exposure times. The ratio of the He-type (O VII) forbidden and intercombination lines at 0.56 keV will provide sufficient density diagnostics, to distinguish e.g.between compact and large loops. The crystal-spectrometers of XMM and XSPECT could achieve the same but with longer (10⁵ sec) observing time. The strong Ly α line of O VIII at 0.65 keV can be observed with the crystals in 10⁴ sec, and used even for rotational modulation and flare studies, and giving additional information about flows in flaring loops. At the Iron 6.7 keV lines, where the gratings do not work, the crystals should be used together with low resolution devices, to set constraints on the hottest gas at loop summits. Our discussion applies also to several brighter cool stars but with shorter observing time (like Capella and HR 1099, which are over 3 times X-ray brighter than AB Dor).