CoMaLit - II. The scaling relation between mass and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich signal for Planck selected galaxy clusters

TL;DR

This paper investigates the relationship between galaxy cluster mass and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich signal using Planck data, revealing a consistent slope with self-similar models but highlighting calibration uncertainties and biases in mass estimates.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the mass-SZ signal scaling relation across different calibration methods and discusses the impact of systematic biases and scatter on cosmological applications.

Findings

The slope of the $Y_{500}$-$M_{500}$ relation is 1.4-1.9, aligning with self-similar predictions.

Intrinsic scatter in the relation is approximately 20%, affecting precision.

Mass estimates from Planck data exhibit a mass-dependent bias.

Abstract

We discuss the scaling relation between mass and integrated Compton parameter of a sample of galaxy clusters from the all-sky {\it Planck} Sunyaev-Zel'dovich catalogue. Masses were measured with either weak lensing, caustics techniques, or assuming hydrostatic equilibrium. The retrieved $Y_{500}$-$M_{500}$ relation does not strongly depend on the calibration sample. We found a slope of 1.4-1.9, in agreement with self-similar predictions, with an intrinsic scatter of $20\pm10$ per cent. The absolute calibration of the relation can not be ascertained due to systematic differences of $\sim$20-40 per cent in mass estimates reported by distinct groups. Due to the scatter, the slope of the conditional scaling relation, to be used in cosmological studies of number counts, is shallower, $\sim$1.1-1.6. The regression methods employed account for intrinsic scatter in the mass measurements too. We found that Planck mass estimates suffer from a mass dependent bias.