paper

Strong-Lensing Analysis of a Complete Sample of 12 MACS Clusters at z>0.5: Mass Models and Einstein Radii

arXiv:1002.0521 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.17574.x

Abstract

We present the results of a strong-lensing analysis of a complete sample of 12 very luminous X-ray clusters at using HST/ACS images. Our modelling technique has uncovered some of the largest known critical curves outlined by many accurately-predicted sets of multiple images. The distribution of Einstein radii has a median value of $\simeq28\arcsec$ (for a source redshift of ), twice as large as other lower- samples, and extends to $55\arcsec$ for MACS J0717.5+3745, with an impressive enclosed Einstein mass of . We find that 9 clusters cover a very large area ($>2.5 \sq \arcmin$) of high magnification () for a source redshift of , providing primary targets for accessing the first stars and galaxies. We compare our results with theoretical predictions of the standard CDM model which we show systematically fall short of our measured Einstein radii by a factor of , after accounting for the effect of lensing projection. Nevertheless, a revised analysis once arc redshifts become available, and similar analyses of larger samples, are needed in order to establish more precisely the level of discrepancy with CDM predictions.

Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 19 pages, 35 figures, 2 tables. V2 includes several changes, mainly additional discussion of the results. A higher resolution version is available at ftp://wise-ftp.tau.ac.il/pub/adiz/macs12

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