Observational Constraints on the ICM Temperature Enhancement by Cluster Mergers

We present results from a combined weak lensing and X-ray analysis of the merging cluster A1914 at a redshift of $z=0.1712$ based on $R_{\rm}$-band imaging data with Subaru/Suprime-Cam and archival Chandra X-ray data. Based on the weak-lensing and X-ray data we explore the relationships between cluster global properties, namely the gravitational mass, the bolometric X-lay luminosity and temperature, the gas mass and the gas mass fraction, as a function of radius. We found that the gas mass fractions within $r_{2500}$ and $r_{\rm vir}$ are consistent with the results of earlier X-ray cluster studies and of cosmic microwave background studies based on the WMAP observations, respectively. However, the observed temperature, $k_B T_{\rm ave}=9.6\pm0.3 {\rm keV}$, is significantly higher than the virial temperature, $k_B T_{\rm vir}=4.7\pm0.3 {\rm keV}$ derived from the weak lensing distortion measurement. The X-ray bolometric luminosity and temperature ($L_X-T$) relation is consistent with the $L_X-T$ relation derived by previous statistical X-ray studies of galaxy clusters. Such correlations among the global cluster properties are invaluable observational tools for studying the cluster merger physics. Our results demonstrate that the combination of X-ray and weak-lensing observations is a promising, powerful probe of the physical processes associated with cluster mergers as well as of their mass properties.

No reviews yet.

No comments yet.