The X-Ray Properties of Ultraluminous Galaxies: Cosmological Implications

Ultraluminous infrared galaxies serve as local laboratoriesto investigate the formation of elliptical galaxies andquasars, the chemical enrichment and heating of theintracluster medium (ICM), and the nature of the recentlydiscoveredSCUBA submm sources. Xray data are essential to address two major topics:(1) What is the impact of the mechanical energy supplied by theultraluminous starburst and/or AGN on the ISM of the galaxy and the ICM.(2) What energetic role do dustshrouded AGN play in ultraluminous galaxies.Previous Xray observatories lacked the sensitivity and spectrospatialresolution to settle these issues. Our proposed XMM observations will create a wellobserved sample of the eight nearest and brightest ultraluminous galaxies. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]