Signature of the interaction between dark energy and dark matter in galaxy clusters

Abstract

We investigate the influence of an interaction between dark energy and dark matter upon the dynamics of galaxy clusters. We obtain the general Layser-Irvine equation in the presence of interactions, and find how, in that case, the virial theorem stands corrected. Using optical, X-ray and weak lensing data from 33 relaxed galaxy clusters, we put constraints on the strength of the coupling in the dark sector. We find that this coupling is small but positive, indicating that dark energy can be decaying into dark matter.