Production of hypertritons in heavy ion collisions around the threshold of strangeness production

We use the Isospin Quantum Molecular Dynamics approach supplemented with a phase space coalescence to study the properties of the production of hypertritons. We see strong influences of the hyperon rescattering on the yields. The hypertritons show up to be quite aligned to the properties of nuclear matter underlining the necessity of rescattering to transport the hyperons to the spectator matter.Comment: 8 pages, proceedings of 14th International Conference on Nuclear Reaction Mechanisms, Varenna (Italy), 201

The dark matter distribution in z~0.5 clusters of galaxies. I : Determining scaling relations with weak lensing masses

The total mass of clusters of galaxies is a key parameter to study massive halos. It relates to numerous gravitational and baryonic processes at play in the framework of large scale structure formation, thus rendering its determination important but challenging. From a sample of the 11 X-ray bright clusters selected from the excpres sample, we investigate the optical and X-ray properties of clusters with respect to their total mass derived from weak gravitational lensing. From multi-color wide field imaging obtained with MegaCam at CFHT, we derive the shear profile of each individual cluster of galaxies. We perform a careful investigation of all systematic sources related to the weak lensing mass determination. The weak lensing masses are then compared to the X-ray masses obtained from the analysis of XMM observations and assuming hydrostatic equilibrium. We find a good agreement between the two mass proxies although a few outliers with either perturbed morphology or poor quality data prevent to derive robust mass estimates. The weak lensing mass is also correlated with the optical richness and the total optical luminosity, as well as with the X-ray luminosity, to provide scaling relations within the redshift range 0.4<z<0.6. These relations are in good agreement with previous works at lower redshifts. For the L_X-M relation we combine our sample with two other cluster and group samples from the literature, thus covering two decades in mass and X-ray luminosity, with a regular and coherent correlation between the two physical quantities

The XMM-LSS survey: the Class 1 cluster sample over the initial 5 square degrees and its cosmological modelling

We present a sample of 29 galaxy clusters from the XMM-LSS survey over an area of some 5deg2 out to a redshift of z=1.05. The sample clusters, which represent about half of the X-ray clusters identified in the region, follow well defined X-ray selection criteria and are all spectroscopically confirmed. For all clusters, we provide X-ray luminosities and temperatures as well as masses. The cluster distribution peaks around z=0.3 and T =1.5 keV, half of the objects being groups with a temperature below 2 keV. Our L-T(z) relation points toward self-similar evolution, but does not exclude other physically plausible models. Assuming that cluster scaling laws follow self-similar evolution, our number density estimates up to z=1 are compatible with the predictions of the concordance cosmology and with the findings of previous ROSAT surveys. Our well monitored selection function allowed us to demonstrate that the inclusion of selection effects is essential for the correct determination of the evolution of the L-T relation, which may explain the contradictory results from previous studies. Extensive simulations show that extending the survey area to 10deg2 has the potential to exclude the non-evolution hypothesis, but that constraints on more refined ICM models will probably be limited by the large intrinsic dispersion of the L-T relation. We further demonstrate that increasing the dispersion in the scaling laws increases the number of detectable clusters, hence generating further degeneracy [in addition to sigma8, Omega_m, L(M,z) and T(M,z)] in the cosmological interpretation of the cluster number counts. We provide useful empirical formulae for the cluster mass-flux and mass-count-rate relations as well as a comparison between the XMM-LSS mass sensitivity and that of forthcoming SZ surveys.Comment: Accepted for publication by MNRAS. Full resolution images as well as additional cluster data are available through a dedicated database at http://l3sdb.in2p3.fr:8080/l3sdb

Cluster Abell 520: a perspective based on member galaxies. A cluster forming at the crossing of three filaments?

The connection of cluster mergers with the presence of extended, diffuse radio sources in galaxy clusters is still debated. An interesting case is the rich, merging cluster Abell 520, containing a radio halo. A recent gravitational analysis has shown in this cluster the presence of a massive dark core suggested to be a possible problem for the current cold dark matter paradigm. We aim to obtain new insights into the internal dynamics of Abell 520 analyzing velocities and positions of member galaxies. Our analysis is based on redshift data for 293 galaxies in the cluster field obtained combining new redshift data for 86 galaxies acquired at the TNG with data obtained by CNOC team and other few data from the literature. We also use new photometric data obtained at the INT telescope. We combine galaxy velocities and positions to select 167 cluster members around z~0.201. We analyze the cluster structure using the weighted gap analysis, the KMM method, the Dressler-Shectman statistics and the analysis of the velocity dispersion profiles. We compare our results with those from X-ray, radio and gravitational lensing analyses. We find that Abell 520 is definitely a very complex system. Our results suggest that we are looking at a cluster forming at the crossing of three filaments of the large scale structure. In particular, we detect a filament aligned with the LOS and projected onto the center of the forming cluster. It might explain the apparent massive dark core shown by gravitational lensing analysis.Comment: 18 pages, 16 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication on A&

The XMM Large Scale Structure Survey: Properties and Two-Point Angular Correlations of Point-like Sources

We analyze X-ray sources detected over 4.2 pseudo-contiguous sq. deg. in the 0.5-2 keV and 2-10 keV bands down to fluxes of 2x10^{-15} and 8x10^{-15} erg/s/cm^2 respectively, as part of the XMM Large Scale Structure Survey. The logN-logS in both bands shows a steep slope at bright fluxes, but agrees well with other determinations below ~2x10^{-14} erg/s/cm^2. The detected sources resolve close to 30 per cent of the X-ray background in the 2-10 keV band. We study the two-point angular clustering of point sources using nearest neighbours and correlation function statistics and find a weak, positive signal for ~1130 sources in the 0.5-2 keV band, but no correlation for ~400 sources in the 2-10 keV band below scales of 100 arcsec. A sub-sample of ~200 faint sources with hard X-ray count ratios, that is likely to be dominated by obscured AGN, does show a positive signal with the data allowing for a large scaling of the angular correlation length, but only at the ~2 (3) sigma level, based on re-sampling (Poisson) statistics. We discuss possible implications and emphasize the importance of wider, complete surveys in order to fully understand the large scale structure of the X-ray sky.Comment: A&A in press; High resolution version at http://www-xray.ast.cam.ac.uk/~pg/publications.htm

A2163: Merger events in the hottest Abell galaxy cluster I. Dynamical analysis from optical data

We present a detailed optical analysis of the galaxy cluster A2163 based on new multicolor wide field imaging and medium-to-high resolution (R~2000) spectroscopy. While X-ray observations have revealed that merging processes are present in this cluster, the merging scenario is complex and not well-defined. We undertook a complementary optical analysis, aiming to understand the dynamics of the system, to add constraints to the merging scenario and to test its effect on the properties of galaxies. We provide a spectroscopic catalog of 512 new objects, where 361 galaxies are identified as cluster members. We derived estimates of the mean redshift and velocity dispersion: z= 0.2005 +/- 0.0003 and 1434 +/- 60 km/s, and performed a detailed dynamical analysis of unprecedented accuracy. We detected multiple evidences of merging events: i) strong subclustering in the galaxy density distribution, showing a main central component A2163-A, a northern one A2163-B, visible both in optical and in X-ray, and other substructures detected in optical, ii) bimodality in the density distribution for A2163-A, strong segregation between gaz and galaxies, and between galaxies of different luminosities, iii) low-density structures oriented along specific axes: mainly the EW direction, and the NS one, embedding the main substructures, iv) bimodality in the velocity distribution and a velocity gradient (~1250 km/s) along the NE/SW axis of the cluster. A2163 is exceptionally massive, with Mvir = 3.8 +/- 0.4 10**15 Msol/h70. Our analysis supports a scenario in which A2163-A has undergone a recent (t ~ 0.5 Gyr) merger along a a NE/SW (or E--W) axis, and A2163-B is connected to the main complex, probably infalling on A2163-A. (abridged)Comment: 23 pages, 22 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Hidden activity in high-redshift spheroidal galaxies from mid-infrared and X-ray observations in the GOODS-North field

We exploit very deep mid-IR (MIR) and X-ray observations by Spitzer and Chandra in the GOODS North to identify signs of hidden (either starburst or AGN) activity in spheroidal galaxies between z~0.3 and 1. Our reference is a complete sample of 168 morphologically classified spheroidal galaxies with z[AB]<22.5 selected from GOODS ACS imaging. Nineteen of these have 24 micron detections in the GOODS catalogue, half of which have an X-ray counterpart in the 2 Ms Chandra catalogue, while about 25% have 1.4 GHz fluxes larger than 40 microJy. Traces of hidden activity in the spheroidal population are also searched for in the deep X-ray images and 14 additional galaxies are detected in X-rays only. The nature of the observed MIR emissions is investigated by modelling their SEDs based on the available multi-wavelength photometry, including X-ray, UV, optical, near-IR, MIR and radio fluxes, and optical spectroscopy. The amount of dust derived from the IR emission observed by Spitzer appears in excess of that expected by mass loss from evolved stars. Our analysis of the X-ray and MIR properties leads us to conclude that at least 8 of the 19 24-um bright sources should hide an obscured AGN, while the X-ray undetected sources are more likely dominated by star formation. [abridged] We conclude that ~30 objects (~20%) of the original flux-limited sample of 168 spheroidal galaxies in the GOODS-North are detected during phases of prominent activity, of both stellar and quasar origin. Due to the short expected lifetimes of the IR and X-ray emissions, this fraction might imply a significant level of activity in this class of galaxies during the relatively recent cosmic epochs, z~0.3 to z~1, under investigation.Comment: Paper accepted for publication in MNRAS. A few figures have been degraded. A full resolution version can be found at http://www.astro.unipd.it/giulia/ELL/MN-06-0969-MJ.pd

Study of clusters and hypernuclei production within PHSD+FRIGA model

We report on the results on the dynamical modelling of cluster formation with the new combined PHSD+FRIGA model at Nuclotron and NICA energies. The FRIGA clusterization algorithm, which can be applied to the transport models, is based on the simulated annealing technique to obtain the most bound configuration of fragments and nucleons. The PHSD+FRIGA model is able to predict isotope yields as well as hypernucleus production. Based on present predictions of the combined model we study the possibility to detect such clusters and hypernuclei in the BM@N and MPD/NICA detectors

Study of clusters and hypernuclei production within PHSD+FRIGA model

We report on the results on the dynamical modelling of cluster formation with the new combined PHSD+FRIGA model at Nuclotron and NICA energies. The FRIGA clusterization algorithm, which can be applied to the transport models, is based on the simulated annealing technique to obtain the most bound configuration of fragments and nucleons. The PHSD+FRIGA model is able to predict isotope yields as well as hypernucleus production. Based on present predictions of the combined model we study the possibility to detect such clusters and hypernuclei in the BM@N and MPD/NICA detectors

Determination of the nuclear incompressibility from the rapidity-dependent elliptic flow in heavy-ion collisions at beam energies 0.4 A –1.0 A GeV

Background: The nuclear incompressibility (K0) plays a crucial role in understanding diverse phenomena in nuclear structure and reactions, as well as in astrophysics. Heavy-ion-collision measurements in combination with transport model simulations serve as important tools for extracting the nuclear incompressibility. However, uncertainties in transport models (or model dependence) partly affect the reliability of the extracted result. Purpose: In the present work, by using the recently measured data of rapidity-dependent flows, we constrain the incompressibility of nuclear matter and analyze the impact of model uncertainties on the obtained value. Method: The method is based on the newly updated version of the ultrarelativistic quantum molecular dynamics (UrQMD) model in which the Skyrme potential energy-density functional is introduced. Three different Skyrme interactions which give different incompressibilities varying from K0=201 to 271 MeV are adopted. The incompressibility is deduced from the comparison of the UrQMD model simulations and the FOPI data for rapidity-dependent elliptic flow in Au+Au collisions at beam energies 0.4A–1.0A GeV. Results: The elliptic flow v2 as a function of rapidity y0 can be well described by a quadratic fit v2=v20+v22⋅y02. It is found that the quantity v2n defined by v2n=|v20|+|v22| is quite sensitive to the incompressibility K0 and the in-medium nucleon–nucleon cross section, but not sensitive to the slope parameter L of the nuclear symmetry energy. Conclusions: With the FU3FP4 parametrization of the in-medium nucleon–nucleon cross section, an averaged K0=220±40 MeV is extracted from the v2n of free protons and deuterons. However, remaining systematic uncertainties, partly related to the choice of in-medium nucleon–nucleon cross sections, are of the same magnitude (±40 MeV). Overall, the rapidity dependent elliptic flow supports a soft symmetric-matter equation-of-state