Cluster mass reconstruction via gravitational lensing.

Abstract

The presence of massive objects is detectable in observations via the gravitational lensing effect on light from more distant sources. From this effect it is possible to reconstruct the masses of clusters, and the distribution of matter within the cluster. However, further theoretical work needs to be done to properly contextualize any proposed projects involving, for instance, SALT data sets. Observational lensing studies use one of two techniques to recover the lens mass distribution: parametric (model dependent) techniques; and, a more recent innovation, non-parametric methods. The latter deserves further study as a tool for cluster surveys. To this end, we provide a comprehensive analysis of existing non-parametric algorithms and software, as well as estimates on the likely errors to be expected when used as an astronomical tool.