Microwave search for ionized gas in clusters of galaxies

Abstract

Using the 11-meter NRAO/sup 3/ telescope at lambda=9 mm, we have examined 16 clusters of galaxies for evidence of a change in temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation which might be produced by inverse Compton scattering by electrons in hot intergalactic gas. For 15 of the clusters, no significant evidence of the effect was found at a level of sensitivity comparable to other published studies. In particular we do not confirm the effect reported for Abell 2218. We do detect a significant temperature decrement in Abell 576.