T. Sadibekova

The XXL Survey I. Scientific motivations - XMM-Newton observing plan - Follow-up observations and simulation programme

Context. The quest for the cosmological parameters that describe our universe continues to motivate the scientific community to undertake very large survey initiatives across the electromagnetic spectrum. Over the past two decades, the Chandra and XMM-Newton observatories have supported numerous studies of X-ray-selected clusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and the X-ray background. The present paper is the first in a series reporting results of the XXL-XMM survey; it comes at a time when the Planck mission results are being finalised. Aims. We present the XXL Survey, the largest XMM programme totaling some 6.9 Ms to date and involving an international consortium of roughly 100 members. The XXL Survey covers two extragalactic areas of 25 deg(2) each at a point-source sensitivity of similar to 5 x 10(-15) erg s(-1) cm(-2) in the [0.5-2] keV band (completeness limit). The surveys main goals are to provide constraints on the dark energy equation of state from the space-time distribution of clusters of galaxies and to serve as a pathfinder for future, wide-area X-ray missions. We review science objectives, including cluster studies, AGN evolution, and large-scale structure, that are being conducted with the support of approximately 30 follow-up programmes. Methods. We describe the 542 XMM observations along with the associated multi-lambda and numerical simulation programmes. We give a detailed account of the X-ray processing steps and describe innovative tools being developed for the cosmological analysis. Results. The paper provides a thorough evaluation of the X-ray data, including quality controls, photon statistics, exposure and background maps, and sky coverage. Source catalogue construction and multi-lambda associations are briefly described. This material will be the basis for the calculation of the cluster and AGN selection functions, critical elements of the cosmological and science analyses. Conclusions. The XXL multi-lambda data set will have a unique lasting legacy value for cosmological and extragalactic studies and will serve as a calibration resource for future dark energy studies with clusters and other X-ray selected sources. With the present article, we release the XMM XXL photon and smoothed images along with the corresponding exposure maps.

The XXL Survey III. Luminosity-temperature relation of the bright cluster sample

Context. The XXL Survey is the largest homogeneous survey carried out with XMM-Newton. Covering an area of 50 deg(2), the survey contains several hundred galaxy clusters out to a redshift of similar to 2 above an X-ray flux limit of similar to 5 x 10(-15) erg cm(-2) s(-1). This paper belongs to the first series of XXL papers focusing on the bright cluster sample. Aims. We investigate the luminosity-temperature (LT) relation for the brightest clusters detected in the XXL Survey, taking fully into account the selection biases. We investigate the form of the LT relation, placing constraints on its evolution. Methods. We have classified the 100 brightest clusters in the XXL Survey based on their measured X- ray flux. These 100 clusters have been analysed to determine their luminosity and temperature to evaluate the LT relation. We used three methods to fit the form of the LT relation, with two of these methods providing a prescription to fully take into account the selection effects of the survey. We measure the evolution of the LT relation internally using the broad redshift range of the sample. Results. Taking fully into account selection effects, we find a slope of the bolometric LT relation of B-LT = 3.08 +/- 0.15, steeper than the self-similar expectation (B-LT = 2). Our best- fit result for the evolution factor is E(z)(1.64 +/- 0.77), fully consistent with “strong self-similar” evolution where clusters scale self- similarly with both mass and redshift. However, this result is marginally stronger than “weak self-similar” evolution, where clusters scale with redshift alone. We investigate the sensitivity of our results to the assumptions made in our fitting model, finding that using an external LT relation as a low-z baseline can have a profound effect on the measured evolution. However, more clusters are needed in order to break the degeneracy between the choice of likelihood model and mass-temperature relation on the derived evolution.

The XXL Survey IV. Mass-temperature relation of the bright cluster sample

Context. The XXL Survey is the largest survey carried out by XMM-Newton. Covering an area of 50 deg(2), the survey contains similar to 450 galaxy clusters out to a redshift similar to 2 and to an X-ray flux limit of similar to 5 x 10(-1)5 erg s(-1) cm(-2). This paper is part of the first release of XXL results focussed on the bright cluster sample. Aims. We investigate the scaling relation between weak-lensing mass and X-ray temperature for the brightest clusters in XXL. The scaling relation discussed in this article is used to estimate the mass of all 100 clusters in XXL-100-GC. Methods. Based on a subsample of 38 objects that lie within the intersection of the northern XXL field and the publicly available CFHTLenS shear catalog, we derive the weak-lensing mass of each system with careful considerations of the systematics. The clusters lie at 0.1 \textless z \textless 0.6 and span a temperature range of T similar or equal to 1-5 keV. We combine our sample with an additional 58 clusters from the literature, increasing the range to T similar or equal to 1-10 keV. To date, this is the largest sample of clusters with weak-lensing mass measurements that has been used to study the mass-temperature relation. Results. The mass-temperature relation fit (M proportional to T-b) to the XXL clusters returns a slope b = 1.78(-0.32)(+0.37) and intrinsic scatter sigma(slnM\textbar T) similar or equal to 0.53; the scatter is dominated by disturbed clusters. The fit to the combined sample of 96 clusters is in tension with self-similarity, b = 1.67 +/- 0.12 and sigma(lnM vertical bar T) similar or equal to 0.41. Conclusions. Overall our results demonstrate the feasibility of ground-based weak-lensing scaling relation studies down to cool systems of similar to 1 keV temperature and highlight that the current data and samples are a limit to our statistical precision. As such we are unable to determine whether the validity of hydrostatic equilibrium is a function of halo mass. An enlarged sample of cool systems, deeper weak-lensing data, and robust modelling of the selection function will help to explore these issues further.

VIMOS Ultra-Deep Survey (VUDS): Witnessing the assembly of a massive cluster at z ~ 3.3

Using new spectroscopic observations obtained as part of the VIMOS Ultra-Deep Survey (VUDS), we performed a systematic search for overdense environments in the early universe (z> 2) and report here on the discovery of Cl J0227-0421, a massive protocluster at z = 3.29. This protocluster is characterized by both the large overdensity of spectroscopically confirmed members, δgal = 10.5 ± 2.8, and a significant overdensity in photometric redshift members. The halo mass of this protocluster is estimated by a variety of methods to be ~3 × 1014ℳ⊙ at z ~ 3.3, which, evolved to z = 0 results in a halo mass rivaling or exceeding that of the Coma cluster. The properties of 19 spectroscopically confirmed member galaxies are compared with a large sample of VUDS/VVDS galaxies in lower density field environments at similar redshifts. We find tentative evidence for an excess of redder, brighter, and more massive galaxies within the confines of the protocluster relative to the field population, which suggests that we may be observing the beginning ofenvironmentally induced quenching. The properties of these galaxies are investigated, including a discussion of the brightest protocluster galaxy, which appears to be undergoing vigorous coeval nuclear and starburst activity. The remaining member galaxies appear to have characteristics that are largely similar to the field population. Though we find weaker evidence of the suppression of the median star formation rates among and differences in the stacked spectra of member galaxies with respect to the field, we defer any conclusions about these trends to future work with the ensemble of protostructures that are found in the full VUDS sample.

The XXL Survey - VI. The 1000 brightest X-ray point sources

Context. X-ray extragalactic surveys are ideal laboratories for the study of the evolution and clustering of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Usually, a combination of deep and wide surveys is necessary to create a complete picture of the population. Deep X-ray surveys provide the faint population at high redshift, while wide surveys provide the rare bright sources. Nevertheless, very wide area surveys often lack the ancillary information available for modern deep surveys. The XXL survey spans two fields of a combined 50 deg(2) observed for more than 6Ms with XMM-Newton, occupying the parameter space that lies between deep surveys and very wide area surveys; at the same time it benefits from a wealth of ancillary data. Aims. This paper marks the first release of the XXL point source catalogue including four optical photometry bands and redshift estimates. Our sample is selected in the 2-10 keV energy band with the goal of providing a sizable sample useful for AGN studies. The limiting flux is F2-10 keV = 4.8 x 10(14) erg s(-1) cm(-2). Methods. We use both public and proprietary data sets to identify the counterparts of the X-ray point-like sources by means of a likelihood ratio test. We improve upon the photometric redshift determination for AGN by applying a Random Forest classification trained to identify for each object the optimal photometric redshift category (passive, star forming, starburst, AGN, quasi-stellar objects (QSO)). Additionally, we assign a probability to each source that indicates whether it might be a star or an outlier. We apply Bayesian analysis to model the X-ray spectra assuming a power-law model with the presence of an absorbing medium. Results. We find that the average unabsorbed photon index is \textlessGamma \textgreater = 1.85 +/- 0.40 while the average hydrogen column density is log \textless N-H \textgreater i = 21.07 +/- 1.2 cm(-2). We find no trend of Gamma or N-H with redshift and a fraction of 26% absorbed sources (log N-H \textgreater 22) consistent with the literature on bright sources (log L-x \textgreater 44). The counterpart identification rate reaches 96.7% for sources in the northern field, 97.7% for the southern field, and 97.2% in total. The photometric redshift accuracy is 0.095 for the full XMM-XXL with 28% catastrophic outliers estimated on a sample of 339 sources. Conclusions. We show that the XXL-1000-AGN sample number counts extended the number counts of the COSMOS survey to higher fluxes and are fully consistent with the Euclidean expectation. We constrain the intrinsic luminosity function of AGN in the 2-10 keV energy band where the unabsorbed X-ray flux is estimated from the X-ray spectral fit up to z = 3. Finally, we demonstrate the presence of a supercluster size structure at redshift 0.14, identified by means of percolation analysis of the XXL-1000-AGN sample. The XXL survey, reaching a medium flux limit and covering a wide area, is a stepping stone between current deep fields and planned wide area surveys.

The XXL Survey XII. Optical spectroscopy of X-ray-selected clusters and the frequency of AGN in superclusters

Context. This article belongs to the first series of XXL publications. It presents multifibre spectroscopic observations of three 0.55 deg2 fields in the XXL Survey, which were selected on the basis of their high density of X-ray-detected clusters. The observations were obtained with the AutoFib2+WYFFOS (AF2) wide-field fibre spectrograph mounted on the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope. Aims. The paper first describes the scientific rationale, the preparation, the data reduction, and the results of the observations, and then presents a study of active galactic nuclei (AGN) within three superclusters. Methods. To determine the redshift of galaxy clusters and AGN, we assign high priority to a) the brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs), b) the most probable cluster galaxy candidates, and c) the optical counterparts of X-ray point-like sources. We use the outcome of the observations to study the projected (2D) and the spatial (3D) overdensity of AGN in three superclusters. Results. We obtained redshifts for 455 galaxies in total, 56 of which are counterparts of X-ray point-like sources. We were able to determine the redshift of the merging supercluster XLSSC-e, which consists of six individual clusters at z ~ 0.43, and we confirmed the redshift of supercluster XLSSC-d at z ~ 0.3. More importantly, we discovered a new supercluster, XLSSC-f, that comprises three galaxy clusters also at z ~ 0.3. We find a significant 2D overdensity of X-ray point-like sources only around the supercluster XLSSC-f. This result is also supported by the spatial (3D) analysis of XLSSC-f, where we find four AGN with compatible spectroscopic redshifts and possibly one more with compatible photometric redshift. In addition, we find two AGN (3D analysis) at the redshift of XLSSC-e, but no AGN in XLSSC-d. Comparing these findings with the optical galaxy overdensity we conclude that the total number of AGN in the area of the three superclusters significantly exceeds the field expectations. All of the AGN found have luminosities below 7 × 1042 erg s-1. Conclusions. The difference in the AGN frequency between the three superclusters cannot be explained by the present study because of small number statistics. Further analysis of a larger number of superclusters within the 50 deg2 of the XXL is needed before any conclusions on the effect of the supercluster environment on AGN can be reached.

The XXL Survey - X. K-band luminosity – weak-lensing mass relation for groups and clusters of galaxies

Galaxy clusters and groups are important cosmological probes and giant cosmic laboratories for studying galaxy evolution. Much effort has been devoted to understanding how and when baryonic matter cools at the centre of potential wells. However, a clear picture of the efficiency with which baryons are converted into stars is still missing. We present the K-band luminosity-halo mass relation, L-K,L-500 - M-500,M- WL, for a subsample of 20 of the 100 brightest clusters in the XXL Survey observed with WIRCam at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). For the first time, we have measured this relation via weak-lensing analysis down to M-500,M-WL = 3.5 x 10(13) M-circle dot. This allows us to investigate whether the slope of the L-K - M relation is different for groups and clusters, as seen in other works. The clusters in our sample span a wide range in mass, M-500,M-WL = 0.35-12.10 x 10(14) M-circle dot, at 0 \textless z \textless 0.6. The K-band luminosity scales as log(10)(L-K,L-500 = 10(12) L-circle dot) log(10)(M-500,M-WL = 10(14) M-circle dot) with beta = 0.85(-0.27)(+0.35) and an intrinsic scatter of sigma ln (LK vertical bar M) = 0.37(-0.17) (+0.19). Combining our sample with some clusters in the Local Cluster Substructure Survey (LoCuSS) present in the literature, we obtain a slope of 1.05(-0.14)(+0.16) and an intrinsic scatter of 0.14(-0.07)(+0.09). The flattening in the L-K - M seen in previous works is not seen here and might be a result of a bias in the mass measurement due to assumptions on the dynamical state of the systems. We also study the richness-mass relation and find that group-sized halos have more galaxies per unit halo mass than massive clusters. However, the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in low-mass systems contributes a greater fraction to the total cluster light than BCGs do in massive clusters; the luminosity gap between the two brightest galaxies is more prominent for group-sized halos. This result is a natural outcome of the hierarchical growth of structures, where massive galaxies form and gain mass within low-mass groups and are ultimately accreted into more massive clusters to become either part of the BCG or one of the brighter galaxies.

The XXL Survey: XXII. The XXL-North spectrophotometric sample and galaxy stellar mass function in X-ray detected groups and clusters

Context. The fraction of galaxies bound in groups in the nearby Universe is high (50% at z ∼ 0). Systematic studies of galaxy properties in groups are important in order to improve our understanding of the evolution of galaxies and of the physical phenomena occurring within this environment. Aims. We have built a complete spectrophotometric sample of galaxies within X-ray detected, optically spectroscopically confirmed groups and clusters (G&C), covering a wide range of halo masses at z ≤ 0.6. Methods. In the context of the XXL survey, we analyse a sample of 164 G&C in the XXL-North region (XXL-N), at z ≤ 0.6, with a wide range of virial masses (1.24 × 1013 ≤ M500,scal(Mo) ≤ 6.63 × 1014) and X-ray luminosities ((2.27 × 1041 ≤ L500,scalXXL(erg-s-1) ≤ 2.15 × 1044)). The G&C are X-ray selected and spectroscopically confirmed. We describe the membership assignment and the spectroscopic completeness analysis, and compute stellar masses. As a first scientific exploitation of the sample, we study the dependence of the galaxy stellar mass function (GSMF) on global environment. Results. We present a spectrophotometric characterisation of the G&C and their galaxies. The final sample contains 132 G&C, 22 111 field galaxies and 2225 G&C galaxies with r-band magnitude <20. Of the G&C, 95% have at least three spectroscopic members, and 70% at least ten. The shape of the GSMF seems not to depend on environment (field versus G&C) or X-ray luminosity (used as a proxy for the virial mass of the system). These results are confirmed by the study of the correlation between mean stellar mass of G&C members and L500,scalXXL. We release the spectrophotometric catalogue of galaxies with all the quantities computed in this work. Conclusions. As a first homogeneous census of galaxies within X-ray spectroscopically confirmed G&C at these redshifts, this sample will allow environmental studies of the evolution of galaxy properties.

The XXL Survey: XXIII. The Mass Scale of XXL Clusters from Ensemble Spectroscopy

Context. An X-ray survey with the XMM-Newton telescope, XMM-XXL, has identified hundreds of galaxy groups and clusters in two 25 deg2 fields. Combining spectroscopic and X-ray observations in one field, we determine how the kinetic energy of galaxies scales with hot gas temperature and also, by imposing prior constraints on the relative energies of galaxies and dark matter, infer a power-law scaling of total mass with temperature. Aims. Our goals are: i) to determine parameters of the scaling between galaxy velocity dispersion and X-ray temperature, T300 kpc, for the halos hosting XXL-selected clusters, and; ii) to infer the log-mean scaling of total halo mass with temperature, ⟨lnM200 | T300 kpc, z⟩. Methods. We applied an ensemble velocity likelihood to a sample of >1500 spectroscopic redshifts within 132 spectroscopically confirmed clusters with redshifts z < 0.6 to model, ⟨lnσgal | T300 kpc, z⟩, where σgal is the velocity dispersion of XXL cluster member galaxies and T300 kpc is a 300 kpc aperture temperature. To infer total halo mass we used a precise virial relation for massive halos calibrated by N-body simulations along with a single degree of freedom summarising galaxy velocity bias with respect to dark matter. Results. For the XXL-N cluster sample, we find σgal ∝ T300 kpc0.63±0.05, a slope significantly steeper than the self-similar expectation of 0.5. Assuming scale-independent galaxy velocity bias, we infer a mean logarithmic mass at a given X-ray temperature and redshift, 〈ln(E(z)M200/1014 M⊙)|T300 kpc, z〉 = πT + αT ln (T300 kpc/Tp) + βT ln (E(z)/E(zp)) using pivot values kTp = 2.2 keV and zp = 0.25, with normalization πT = 0.45 ± 0.24 and slope αT = 1.89 ± 0.15. We obtain only weak constraints on redshift evolution, βT = −1.29 ± 1.14. Conclusions. The ratio of specific energies in hot gas and galaxies is scale dependent. Ensemble spectroscopic analysis is a viable method to infer mean scaling relations, particularly for the numerous low mass systems with small numbers of spectroscopic members per system. Galaxy velocity bias is the dominant systematic uncertainty in dynamical mass estimates.