Galaxy-Galaxy weak gravitational lensing in cluster environment

James, Timothy, John (2012). Galaxy-Galaxy weak gravitational lensing in cluster environment. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.

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Abstract

An investigation was carried out into the phenomenon of galaxy-galaxy weak lensing in a sample of 10 X-ray selected galaxy clusters. Using high resolution Hubble Space Telescope imaging data and mathematical techniques described within, the feasibility of detecting a galaxy-galaxy shear signal was demonstrated. A study was then carried out to assess the magnitude of the systematic e�ect of improper cluster-scale shear signal subtraction that had previously not been explicitly tested. It was found that the systematic e�ect was negligible compared to the shear signal of interest in all but one fairly extreme case. This
is of interest to future studies in this �eld as it avoids the need for time-expensive detailedcluster models to be made before the relevant data can be extracted. The investigation also details the process of designing telescope masks for two world-leading spectroscopic instruments. Such observations are key in obtaining redshift constraints on strongly lensed arcs allowing normalisation of the cluster mass distribution and therefore determination of cluster masses.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Phil.

Supervisor(s):