Diffuse X-ray-emitting gas in major mergers

After the removal of contributions from unresolved point sources, we compared the diffuse thermal X-ray luminosity from hot gas (L_X_(gas)) with the global star formation rate (SFR). After correction for absorption within the target galaxy, we do not see a strong trend of L_X_(gas)/SFR with the SFR or merger stage for galaxies with SFR>1 M_{sun}_/yr.

For these galaxies, the median L_X_(gas)/SFR is 5.5x10^39^ ((erg/s)/M_{sun}_/yr), similar to that of normal spiral galaxies. These results suggest that stellar feedback in star-forming galaxies reaches an approximately steady-state condition, in which a relatively constant fraction of about 2% of the total energy output from supernovae and stellar winds is converted into X-ray flux. Three late-stage merger remnants with low SFRs and high K-band luminosities (L_K_) have enhanced L_X_(gas)/SFR; their UV/IR/optical colors suggest that they are post-starburst galaxies, perhaps in the process of becoming ellipticals.