Constraints on Omega_m, Omega_L, and Sigma_8, from Galaxy Cluster Redshift Distributions

We make the first detailed MCMC likelihood study of cosmological constraints that are expected from some of the largest, ongoing and proposed, cluster surveys in different wave-bands and compare the estimates to the prevalent Fisher matrix forecasts. Mock catalogs of cluster counts expected from the surveys -- eROSITA, WFXT, RCS2, DES and Planck, along with a mock dataset of follow-up mass calibrations are analyzed for this purpose. A fair agreement between MCMC and Fisher re...

[abridged] We present a first cosmological analysis of a refined cluster catalog from the Red-Sequence Cluster Survey (RCS). The input cluster sample is derived from 72.07 square degrees of imaging data [...] The catalog contains 956 clusters over 0.35<z<0.95, limited by cluster richness and richness error. The calibration of the survey images has been extensively cross-checked against publicly available Sloan Digital Sky Survey imaging [...] We analyze the cluster sample via...

We present cosmological constraints from the abundance of galaxy clusters selected via the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect in South Pole Telescope (SPT) data with a simultaneous mass calibration using weak gravitational lensing data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The cluster sample is constructed from the combined SPT-SZ, SPTpol ECS, and SPTpol 500d surveys, and comprises 1,005 confirmed clusters in the redshift range $0.25-1.78...

The mass function of clusters of galaxies is determined from 400 deg^2 of early commissioning imaging data of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey; ~300 clusters in the redshift range z = 0.1 - 0.2 are used. Clusters are selected using two independent selection methods: a Matched Filter and a red-sequence color magnitude technique. The two methods yield consistent results. The cluster mass function is compared with large-scale cosmological simulations. We find a best-fit cluster norm...

The properties of nearby galaxy clusters limit the range of cosmological parameters consistent with our universe. We describe the limits which arise from studies of the intracluster medium (ICM) mass fraction fICM and consideration of the possible sources of systematic error: Omega_M<0.44h_{50}^{-1/2} at 95% confidence. We emphasize that independent of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) observations, this cluster study, taken together with published cosmic microwave background (CMB)...

Future high-resolution measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) will produce catalogs of tens of thousands of galaxy clusters through the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (tSZ) effect. We forecast how well different configurations of a CMB Stage-4 experiment can constrain cosmological parameters, in particular the amplitude of structure as a function of redshift $\sigma_8(z)$, the sum of neutrino masses $\Sigma m_{\nu}$, and the dark energy equation of state $w(z)$. A ...

The clustering of galaxy clusters is a powerful cosmological tool, which can help to break degeneracies between parameters when combined with other cosmological observables. We aim to demonstrate its potential in constraining cosmological parameters and scaling relations when combined with cluster counts and weak lensing mass information, using as a case study the redMaPPer cluster catalog derived from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We extend the analysis of number coun...

Galaxy cluster number count has been proven to be a powerful cosmological probe. However, cosmological constraints established with galaxy cluster number count are highly dependent on the calibration of the mass-observable relations. Thanks to its nearly mass independence the specific mass accretion rate of galaxy clusters is nearly insensitive to the calibration of mass-observable relations. The study of galaxy cluster number count evolution allows to probe the galaxy cluste...

We present constraints on the values of $\Omega_m$, $n$, $\sigma_8$, obtained from measurements of the X-ray luminosity function of galaxy clusters as compiled in EMSS, RDCS and BCS galaxy cluster samples. The values obtained $\Omega_m=0.25^{+0.15}_{-0.05}$, $n=-1^{+0.05}_{-0.05}$, and $\sigma_8=0.8^{+0.1}_{-0.1}$ are in agreement with WMAP data. We then put constraints on the quoted parameters and the dark-energy equation-of-state parameter, $w$, using Chandra observations o...

Future high-resolution microwave background measurements hold the promise of detecting galaxy clusters throughout our Hubble volume through their Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) signature, down to a given limiting flux. The number density of galaxy clusters is highly sensitive to cluster mass through fluctuations in the matter power spectrum, as well as redshift through the comoving volume and the growth factor. This sensitivity in principle allows tight constraints on such quantitie...