New results from the gravitational lensing of galaxies

We use a sample of 53 elliptical galaxies which are lensing background emission-line galaxies and have been observed by the SLACS collaboration using HST and SDSS to place constraints on the post-Newtonian parameter 7 and the cosmological parameter A. We find y = 1.00 ± 0.04 on kiloparsec scales, consistent with the predictions of general relativity. Assuming a flat universe, we constrain QA = 0.72 ± 0.15, in agreement with results from other independent techniques and strongly excluding h = 0. We also use these lenses as a probe of galactic dynamics, finding constraints which are consistent with those obtained via other methods.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Physics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Schwab, Josiah (Josiah W.)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Saul Rappaport.

• Physics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/51581

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/51581