2-8 keV X-ray number counts determined from Chandra blank field observations

Abstract

We present the 2-8 keV number counts from the 1Ms Chandra observation of the Chandra Deep Field North (CDF-N). We combine these with the number counts from a 78ks exposure of the Hawaii Survey Field SSA22 and with the number counts obtained in independent analyses of the CDF-S and the Hawaii Survey Field SSA13 to determine the number counts from 2.10^(-16) to 10^(-13) ergs/cm2/s. Over this flux range the contribution to the X-ray background is 1.1 10^(-11) ergs/cm2/s/square degree. When the contributions above 10^(-13) ergs/cm2/s from BeppoSAX or ASCA observations are included, the total rises to 1.4 10^(-11) ergs/cm2/s/square degree. However, there appears to be substantial field-to-field variation in the counts in excess of the statistical uncertainties. When the statistical and flux calibration uncertainties (in both the background and source measurements) are taken into account, as much as 0.5 10^(-11) ergs/cm2/s/square degree could still be present in an unresolved component.