Photometric Dissection of Intracluster Light and Its Correlations with Host Cluster Properties

Abstract We explore several ways to dissect brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and their surrounding intracluster light (ICL) using a surface brightness (SB) cut, luminosity excess above de Vaucouleurs profile, or double Sérsic decomposition. Assuming that all is attributable the ICL, we find an average fraction of ${f}_{\mathrm{ICL}}^{\mathrm{MT}}=71\pm 22 \% $?> diffuse centered on BCG belongs ICL. Likewise, if assume fainter than $\mathrm{SB}\gt 27\,{\rm{g}}^{\prime} mag arcsec −2 ICL ${f}_{\mathrm{ICL}}^{\mathrm{SB}27}=34\pm 19 . After fitting profile inner parts SB detect at large radii, corresponding ${f}_{\mathrm{ICL}}^{\mathrm{DV}}=48\pm 20 Finally, by decomposing into two functions, ${f}_{\mathrm{ICL}}^{{\rm{S}}\times }\,=\,52\pm 21 associated with outer component. Our measured BCG+ICL luminosities agree well predictions from high-resolution simulations where component traces unrelaxed, accreted stellar material. properties defined in this way are correlated parameters study coevolution BCGs, host clusters. positive correlations between mass, velocity dispersion, radius, integrated satellite brightness, confirming BCG/ICL growth indeed coupled growth. On average, better aligned terms position angle, ellipticity, centering. That makes it potential dark-matter tracer.