Modeling the Dark Matter of Galaxy Clusters Using the Tensor-Vector-Scalar Theory of Alternate Gravity

The invocation of dark matter in the universe is predicated upon gravitational observations that cannot be explained by the amount of luminous matter that we detect. There is an ongoing debate over which gravitational model is correct. The work herein tests a prescription of gravity theory known as Tensor-Vector-Scalar and is based upon the work of Angus et al. (2007). We add upon this work by extending the sample of galaxy clusters to five and testing the accepted Navarro, Frenk & White (NFW) dark matter potential (Navarro et al., 1996). Our independent implementation of this method includes weak gravitational lensing analysis to determine the amount of dark matter in these galaxy clusters by calculating the gas fraction fgas = Mgas=Mtot. The ability of the Tensor-Vector-Scalar theory to predict a consistent fgas across all galaxy clusters is a measure of its liklihood of being the correct gravity model.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics and Astronomy (Arts and Sciences)

Grantor dc:publisher

Ohio University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Ragozzine, Brett

Contributors dc:contributor

• Clowe, Douglas

• Astrophysics
• Physics
• dark matter
• galaxy clusters
• alternate gravity
• TeVeS
• X-ray gas

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1364229568

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ohiou1364229568