Analytic approach to perturbed Einstein ring with elliptical NFW lens model

Abstract

We investigate the validity of the approximate method to describe a strong gravitational lensing which was extended by Alard on the basis of a perturbative approach to an Einstein ring. Adopting an elliptical Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) lens model, we demonstrate how the approximate method works, focusing on the shape of the image, the magnification, caustics, and the critical line. Simplicity of the approximate method enables us to investigate the lensing phenomena in an analytic way. We derive simple approximate formulas which characterise a lens system near the Einstein ring.