Fast Variability of Nonthermal X-ray Emission in Cassiopeia A: Probing Electron Acceleration in Reverse-shocked Ejecta

Recent discovery of the year-scale variability in the synchrotron X-ray emission of the supernova remnant (SNR) RX J1713.7−3946 has initiated our study of multi-epoch X-ray images and spectra of the young SNR Cassiopeia A based on the Chandra archive data taken in 2000, 2002, and 2004. We have found year-scale time variations in the X-ray intensity for a number of X-ray filaments or knots associated with the reverse-shocked regions. The X-ray spectra of the variable filaments are characterized by a featureless continuum, and described by a power law with a photon index within 1.9–2.3. The upper limits on the iron K-line equivalent width are 110 eV, which favors a synchrotron origin of the X-ray emission. The characteristic variability timescale of 4 yr can be explained by the effects of fast synchrotron cooling and diffusive shock acceleration with a plausible magnetic field of 1 mG. The X-ray variability provides a new effective way of studying particle acceleration at supernova shocks. Subject headings: acceleration of particles — ISM: individual(Cassiopeia A) — radiation mechanisms: nonthermal