Title
Analyzing the Effects of Mass Substructure in Gravitationally-lensed Systems
Abstract
In order to account for the discrepancy in number of mass substructures seen in the dark matter halos of galaxies, gravitational lens-fitting simulations were performed to test whether the mass models used to describe these systems are unique. With no a priori knowledge, simulated quad-imaged lens systems were tested to see whether any effects due to any added dark matter substructure could be seen. The 𝜒² goodness-of-fit statistic, as well as average image separation and RMS of image separation were found to be below resolution thresholds, and conclusively illustrated that it is technically possible to fit a smooth mass model to a gravitational lens system with added substructure.
Funding information
This research was supported by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Suggested Citation
Walls, Levi.
(2016).
Analyzing the Effects of Mass Substructure in Gravitationally-lensed Systems.
Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy,
https://hdl.handle.net/11299/181436.