New Multiply-Lensed Galaxies Identified in ACS/NIC3 Observations of Cl0024+1654 Using an Improved Mass Model

TL;DR

This paper improves the strong-lensing model of galaxy cluster Cl0024+1654 using deep HST images, identifying new multiply-lensed galaxies and refining the mass profile with only six free parameters, revealing a high concentration NFW profile.

Contribution

The study introduces an enhanced mass model for Cl0024+1654 that accurately fits multiple lensing systems with minimal parameters and incorporates new multiply-lensed galaxy identifications.

Findings

Inner mass profile slope of approximately -0.55

High concentration NFW profile with C_vir around 8.6

Model predictions agree with observed fluxes and lensing features

Abstract

We present an improved strong-lensing analysis of Cl0024+1654 ($z$=0.39) using deep HST/ACS/NIC3 images, based on 33 multiply-lensed images of 11 background galaxies. These are found with a model that assumes mass approximately traces light, with a low order expansion to allow for flexibility on large scales. The model is constrained initially by the well known 5-image system ($z$=1.675) and refined as new multiply-lensed systems are identified using the model. Photometric redshifts of these new systems are then used to constrain better the mass profile by adopting the standard cosmological relation between redshift and lensing distance. Our model requires only 6 free parameters to describe well all positional and redshift data. The resulting inner mass profile has a slope of $d\log M/d\log r\simeq -0.55$, consistent with new weak-lensing measurements where the data overlap, at $r\simeq200$ kpc/$h_{70}$. The combined profile is well fitted by a high concentration NFW mass profile, $C_{\rm vir}\sim 8.6\pm1.6$, similar to other well studied clusters, but larger than predicted with standard $\Lambda$CDM. A well defined radial critical curve is generated by the model and is clearly observed at $r \simeq 12\arcsec$, outlined by elongated images pointing towards the centre of mass. The relative fluxes of the multiply-lensed images are found to agree well with the modelled magnifications, providing an independent consistency check.