Gravitational Lens Statistics as a Probe of Halo Profiles

Abstract

Recent development of the structure formation theory based on the cold dark matter scenario implies that a number of larger separation lensed quasars, for which a confirmed detection has not yet been achieved, will be observed in the ongoing large-scale surveys such as the 2dF survey and SDSS. We show that statistics of such large separation lenses can be a powerful probe of the density profile of dark halos. After we summarize the current status of the lens surveys in the 2dF and SDSS, we focus our discussion on what information can be extracted from these lens surveys. in addition, we also propose statistics of differential time delays between multiple images as an alternative probe of the density profile of dark halos.