The L_X_-T Relation for Nearby Clusters

The new temperatures and L_X_-T relation together with a newly selected cluster sample are used to update the temperature function at z ~ 0.05. The resulting function is generally higher and flatter than, although within the errors of, the previous estimates by Edge and coworkers and Henry and Arnaud (as rederived by Eke and coworkers). For a qualitative estimate of constraints that the new data place on the density fluctuation spectrum, we apply the Press-Schechter formalism for {Omega}_0_ = 1 and 0.3.

For {Omega}_0_ = 1, assuming cluster isothermality, the temperature function implies {sigma}_8_ = 0.55 +/- 0.03, while taking into account the observed cluster temperature profiles, {sigma}_8_ = 0.51 +/- 0.03, consistent with the previously derived range. The dependence of {sigma}_8_ on {Omega}_0_ is different from the earlier results because of our treatment of the slope of the fluctuation spectrum, n, as a free parameter.

For the considered values of {Omega}_0_, n = -(2.0-2.3) +/- 0.3, somewhat steeper than that derived from the earlier temperature function data, in agreement with the local slope of the galaxy fluctuation spectrum from the Automatic Plate Measuring Facility (APM) survey, and significantly steeper than the standard cold dark matter prediction.