Imaging the invisible : constraining dark matter distributions in galaxy clusters using strong gravitational lensing
Name
61357032-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
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2.69 MB
Format
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Checksum (MD5)
51b55b71524ea219538061d689a79942
Author(s)
Corless, Virginia Leigh
Advisor(s)
Samuel A. Rappaport and Scott M. Burles.
Alternative Title
Constraining dark matter distributions in galaxy clusters using strong gravitational lensing
Date Issued
2005
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
In this thesis, I design and construct a Monte-Carlo gravitational lensing simulation that statistically studies the strong lensing of extended galactic sources by dark matter distributions in galaxy clusters, using recent work on cluster Abell 1689 as an empirical guide. By quantitatively comparing the quality of the lensed images created in the simulation to the giant lensed arcs observed by the Hubble Space Telescope around Abell 1689 and other similar clusters, and using an NFW analytic density profile to model the overall dark matter distribution, an upper limit is set on the scale of allowed deviations from a smooth NFW dark matter distribution. The maximum allowed mass-clumping is found to be on the order [approx.] 10⁸ M ... over volumes of order [approx.] 10kpc x 10kpc x 10kpc, indicative of a mostly smooth dark matter distribution with only relatively small deviations, much smaller than those of the distribution of conventional matter into galaxies.
Description
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Physics, 2005.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-72).
Subjects
Physics.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics
Terms of Use
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