Diffuse X and gamma radiation.

Abstract

The most reliable measurements in the energy range from 0.1 MeV to 100 MeV are presented in graphs. Studies in the region from 1 keV to 100 keV are discussed, giving attention to nonthermal mechanisms, thermal emission from a uniform intergalactic medium, the contribution of discrete extragalactic sources to the isotropic X-ray background, discrete diffuse X-ray sources in galaxy clusters, the contribution of galaxy clusters to the isotropic X-ray background, and fluctuations in the X-ray background. Diffuse X rays below 1 keV are also considered together with diffuse galactic X and gamma rays above 1 keV and the significance of diffuse X and gamma radiation for astronomy.