The Seyfert-starburst connection in X-rays. I. The data

We analyze X-ray spectra and images of a sample of Seyfert 2 galaxies that unambiguously contain starbursts, based on their optical and UV characteris tics. Although all sample members contain active galactic nuclei (AGNs), su permassive black holes or other related processes at the galactic centers a lone cannot account for the total X-ray emission in all instances. Eleven o f the 12 observed galaxies are significantly resolved with the ROSAT High R esolution Imager, while six of the eight sources observed with the lower re solution Position Sensitive Proportional Counter also appear extended on la rger scales. The X-ray emission is extended on physical scales of 10 kpc an d greater, which we attribute to starburst-driven outflows and supernova he ating of the interstellar medium. Spectrally, a physically motivated compos ite model of the X-ray emission that includes a heavily absorbed (N-H > 10( 23) cm(-2)) nuclear component (the AGN), power-law-like scattered AGN flux, and a thermal starburst describes this sample well. Half the sample exhibi t iron K alpha lines, which are typical of AGNs.