The VIMOS-VLT Deep Survey: Dependence of galaxy clustering on stellar mass

TL;DR

This study examines how galaxy clustering at redshift ~1 depends on stellar mass, revealing that more massive galaxies are more clustered and exhibit stronger bias, with little evolution compared to local universe results.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of galaxy clustering dependence on stellar mass at z~1 using VVDS data, including control for sample incompleteness.

Findings

More massive galaxies are more clustered.

No evolution in clustering for massive galaxies from z~1 to z~0.1.

Massive galaxies show stronger linear bias at z~1.

Abstract

We have investigated the dependence of galaxy clustering on their stellar mass at z~1, using the data from the VIMOS-VLT Deep Survey (VVDS). We have measured the projected two-point correlation function of galaxies, wp(rp) for a set of stellar mass selected samples at an effective redshift <z>=0.85. We have control and quantify all effects on galaxy clustering due to the incompleteness of our low mass samples. We find that more massive galaxies are more clustered. When compared to similar results at z~0.1 in the SDSS, we observed no evolution of the projected correlation function for massive galaxies. These objects present a stronger linear bias at z~1 with respect to low mass galaxies. As expected, massive objects at high redshift are found in the highest pics of the dark matter density field.