Exploring the correlation between dark matter, intracluster light, and globular cluster distribution in SMACS0723

Abstract

We present a free-form model of SMACS0723, the first cluster observed with JWST. This model does not make any strong assumptions on the distribution of mass (mostly made up of dark matter) in the cluster and we use it to study the possible correlation between dark matter with the intracluster light and distribution of globular clusters (GCs). To explore the uncertainty in mass modeling, we derived three lens models based on spectroscopically confirmed systems and new candidate systems with redshifts predicted by the lens model derived from the spectroscopic systems. We find that beyond the radius of influence for the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG), the total mass does not trace the intracluster light (ICL), implying the need for a dark component (dark matter). Two loop-like structures observed in the intracluster light do not have any obvious correspondence with the total mass (of mostly dark matter) distribution. The radial profiles of the ICL and the distribution of GCs are similar to each other, but they are steeper than the profile of the lens model. More specifically, we find that the total mass is shallower by 1 dex in log scale than both ICL and GC profiles. This is in excellent agreement with current N-body simulations of cold dark matter.