PROBING STRUCTURE FORMATION PHYSICS FROM THE EVOLUTION OF CLUSTERS PROPERTIES

We propose to observe a large unbiased sample of distant (z0.40.6) galaxyclusters. The clusters in the sample cover the wide dynamic range in mass (kT2.512 keV) necessary to fully assess the evolution of cluster scaling andstructural properties. This will provide unique insight into the physics ofstructure formation, both for the dark matter and the baryonic components (e.g.how nongravitational processes drive departures from the predictions of thesimplest selfsimilar model of gravitational collapse). The project is definedso to make maximum use of XMM and Chandra existing observations. We propose thatthe observations are conducted as a Public Large project. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]