Cluster properties as a function of dynamical state in the DESI Legacy x UNIONS surveys

TL;DR

This study explores how the dynamical state of galaxy clusters affects their galaxy populations and mass distributions, revealing distinct properties for evolved versus evolving clusters through observational data and simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a classification method for cluster dynamical states based on galaxy properties and links these states to differences in mass profiles and galaxy populations, supported by observational and simulation data.

Findings

Evolved clusters have more concentrated lensing profiles.

Evolved clusters show bimodal stellar mass functions with dominant BCGs.

Evolving clusters have flatter lensing signals and more massive satellites.

Abstract

We investigate how the dynamical state of galaxy clusters influences their galaxy populations and mass distributions. Using photometrically selected clusters from the DESI Legacy Imaging Survey cross-matched with the UNIONS galaxy shear catalogue, we classify clusters as evolved or evolving based on their rest-frame r-band magnitude gaps and stellar mass ratios between the brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and bright satellites. We measure the stellar mass functions, weak-lensing profiles, and radial number density and red-fraction profiles of stacked clusters in both subsamples. Evolved clusters exhibit more concentrated lensing profiles, bimodal stellar mass functions dominated by massive BCGs, and a deficit of intermediate-mass satellites, while evolving clusters show flatter central lensing signals and an excess of massive satellites. Applying the same selection to IllustrisTNG clusters reproduces these trends and links the observed differences to distinct mass accretion histories. These results demonstrate the close link between cluster galaxy populations and the overall dynamical state of their underlying dark matter halo.