A Lower Limit on Omega-Lambda Using Gravitational Lensing in the Hubble Deep Field

Abstract

We calculate the expected number of multiply-imaged galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field (HDF), using photometric redshift information for galaxies with $m_I<27$ that were detected in all four HDF passbands. A comparison of these expectations with the observed number of strongly lensed galaxies places a lower limit on the current value of ${\Omega }_m-{\Omega }_{\Lambda }$, where ${\Omega }_m$ is the cosmological mass density of the universe and ${\Omega }_{\Lambda }$ is the normalized cosmological constant. Based on current estimates of the HDF luminosity function and associated uncertainties in individual parameters, our 95% confidence lower limit on ${\Omega }_m-{\Omega }_{\Lambda }$ is between -0.44, if there are no strongly lensed galaxies in the HDF, and -0.73, if there are two strongly lensed galaxies in the HDF. If the only lensed galaxy in the HDF is the one presently viable candidate, then, in a flat universe (${\Omega }_m+{\Omega }_{\Lambda }=1$), ${\Omega }_{\Lambda }<0.79$ (95% C.L.). These lower limits are compatible with estimates based on high-redshift supernovae and with previous limits based on gravitational lensing.

18 pages, 3 figures and 2 tables. Final proof version, to appear in The Astrophysical Journal, Vol 511, February 1, 1999

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• A Limit on the Cosmological Mass Density and Power Spectrum from the Rotation Curves of Low Surface Brightness Galaxies
• Constraining the Cosmological Parameters using Strong Lensing
• Ultra-high energy cosmic rays from annihilation of superheavy dark matter
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• Cosmological Tests for a Linear Coasting Cosmology
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• An Upper Limit on Omega_matter Using Lensed Arcs
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