Galaxy clusters in XMM field within CFHT-LS D4

The cluster identification is based, among others, on deep imaging with the ESO VLT and from the CFHT legacy survey. The confirmation of cluster candidates is done by VLT/FORS2 multi-object spectroscopy. Photometric redshifts from the CFHTLS D4 are utilized to confirm the effectiveness of the X-ray cluster selection method.

The survey sensitivity is computed with extensive Monte-Carlo simulations. At a flux limit of S(0.5-2.0keV)~2.5e-15erg/s/cm2 we achieve a completeness level higher than 50% in an area of ~0.13 square degrees. We detect six galaxy clusters above this limit with optical counterparts, of which 5 are new spectroscopic discoveries.

Two newly discovered X-ray luminous galaxy clusters are at z>1.0, another two at z=0.41 and one at z=0.34. For the most distant X-ray selected cluster in this field at z=1.45 we find additional (active) member galaxies from both X-ray and spectroscopic data. Additionally, we find evidence of large scale structures at moderate redshifts of z=0.41 and z=0.34.

The quest for distant clusters in archival XMM-Newton data has led to the detection of six clusters in a single field, making XMM-Newton an outstanding tool for cluster surveys. Three of these clusters are at z>1, which emphasises the valuable contribution of small, yet deep surveys to cosmology. Beta-models are appropriate descriptions for the cluster surface brightness to perform cluster detection simulations in order to compute the X-ray selection function.

The constructed log N-log S tends to favour a scenario where no evolution in the cluster X-ray luminosity function (XLF) takes place.