The XMM Large-Scale Structure survey: an initial sample of galaxy groups and clusters to a redshift z < 0.6

Abstract

We present X-ray and optical spectroscopic observations of 12 galaxy groups and clusters identified within the X-ray Multi-Mirror (XMM) Large-Scale Structure (LSS) survey. Groups and clusters are selected as extended X-ray sources from a 3.5 deg 2 XMM image mosaic above a flux limit 8 × 10 −15 erg s −1 cm −2 in the [0.5‐2] keV energy band. Deep BVRI images and multi-object spectroscopy confirm each source as a galaxy concentration located within the redshift interval 0.29 < z < 0.56. We combine line-of-sight velocity dispersions with the X-ray properties of each structure computed from a two-dimensional surface brightness model and a single temperature fit to the XMM spectral data. The resulting distribution of X-ray luminosity, temperature and velocity dispersion indicate that the XMM‐LSS survey is detecting low-mass clusters and galaxy groups to redshifts z < 0.6. Confirmed systems display little or no evidence for X-ray luminosity evolution at a given X-ray temperature compared to lower-redshift X-ray group and cluster samples. A more complete understanding of these trends will be possible with the compilation of a statistically complete sample of galaxy groups and clusters anticipated within the continuing XMM‐LSS survey. Ke yw ords: surveys ‐ large-scale structure of Universe ‐ X-rays: galaxies: clusters.