X-ray enabled MOCASSIN: a 3D code for photoionized media

TL;DR

This paper introduces an advanced 3D Monte Carlo radiative transfer code, MOCASSIN, capable of modeling photoionized media across a broad spectrum, including X-ray energies, with thorough benchmarking against existing codes.

Contribution

The paper presents an X-ray enabled version of MOCASSIN, expanding its capabilities for fully 3D, geometry-independent modeling of photoionized environments from radio to gamma rays.

Findings

Successfully benchmarked against established codes.

Demonstrated applicability to low-density, strongly photoionized media.

Discussed limitations and future potential of the code.

Abstract

We present a new version of the fully 3D photoionization and dust radiative transfer code, MOCASSIN, that uses a Monte Carlo approach for the transfer of radiation. The X-ray enabled MOCASSIN allows a fully geometry independent description of low-density gaseous environments strongly photoionized by a radiation field extending from radio to gamma rays. The code has been thoroughly benchmarked against other established codes routinely used in the literature, using simple plane parallel models designed to test performance under standard conditions. We show the results of our benchmarking exercise and discuss applicability and limitations of the new code, which should be of guidance for future astrophysical studies with MOCASSIN.