Strong gravitational lensing by multiple galaxies

Abstract

We discuss strong gravitational lensing by multiple objects along any line of sight. The probability for strong gravitational lensing by more than one lens is small, but a number of strong lens systems in which more than one separate lens contribute significantly to the lensing potential will be detected in the large sample of lens systems compiled with new instruments. Using multi-lens ray-tracing, we estimate the likelihood for gravitational lensing by two lenses at different redshifts and investigate typical image geometries and magnification cross sections. We find that, for a cosmology with Omega_M=0.3 and Omega_Lambda=0.7, about one in twenty lens systems consist of two lenses with merging caustics. Multiple lens systems differ from single lenses. They have a larger multiple imaging cross section and significantly differ in the image configuration. The external shear induced by a nearby galaxy, group or cluster can affect image positions even for more widely separated lens pairs. Both of these effects must be accounted for in lens modelling. We also show how the presence of aligned discs in the pair of lensing galaxies can lead to very large high-magnification cross sections. Multiple lens systems will be important in future, both for constraining lens models of individual systems and for statistical lensing.