Detection and analysis of high-redshift clusters of galaxies from the Palomar Distant Cluster Survey

We present the detection and study of the properties of high-redshift clusters of galaxies in the Palomar Distant Cluster Survey (Postman et al. 1995). The cluster sample is derived from an optical/near IR survey undertaken with the 4-Shooter CCD camera on the Palomar 5 meter telescope. The Palomar Distant Cluster Survey (PDCS) was conducted in two broad band filters that closely resemble V and I. The area covered consists of five one-square degree areas, all at galactic latitudes of 30 degrees or greater. The data are complete to V {dollar}sim{dollar} 24 and I {dollar}sim{dollar} 23.; A matched filter technique is developed to identify the cluster candidates by using both positional and photometric data simultaneously. The filter is derived from the maximum likelihood estimator such that we maximize the probability that there is a cluster at a given position. As by-products, the cluster detection procedure provides estimates of the cluster redshift and richness. We discuss the theory, correction factors, and possible errors associated with this technique. Because the cluster finding algorithm is completely automated, we can use simple Monte-Carlo simulations to quantify the selection biases associated with the detection technique.; The resulting catalog consists of 79 clusters of galaxies detected with estimated redshifts between z {dollar}sim{dollar} 0.2 and 1.2. The sample provides the largest, statistically complete database of distant clusters to date. We have analyzed the properties of the richest clusters in this sample with regard to their X-ray properties, profile shape, and galaxy colors. We examine previous Einstein observations which coincide with the PDCS. Upper limits are derived for six richness class 1 and 2 candidate clusters of galaxies. The limits indicate that these clusters are modest X-ray emitters, consistent with that found previously for intermediate and high redshift clusters.; The typical Palomar cluster has a surface density profile of r{dollar}sp{lcub}-1.4{rcub}{dollar} {dollar}(rge 0.15 hsp{lcub}-1{rcub}{dollar}Mpc) and a core radius of 0.1 {dollar}hsp{lcub}-1{rcub}{dollar} Mpc. We see some evidence for evolution in the profile shape; the surface number density profile steepens with increasing redshift. In addition, a large fraction of the PDCS clusters have a significant degree of asymmetry. The PDCS cluster population is inconsistent with a population of azimuthally symmetric clusters at greater than 99.2% confidence level. The PDCS cluster profiles and morphology are typical of other rich, intermediate redshift clusters.; We have examined the color evolution in the cluster galaxies. Intermediate redshift PDCS clusters at {dollar}0.2sbsp{lcub}sim{rcub}{lcub}<{rcub} z sbsp{lcub}sim{rcub}{lcub}<{rcub} 0.4{dollar} show a distinct red envelope which corresponds to the color of present-day elliptical galaxies. At redshifts {dollar}z sbsp{lcub}sim{rcub}{lcub}>{rcub} 0.5,{dollar} this envelope has moved bluewards with essentially no galaxies which are as red as present-day ellipticals by {dollar}z sim 0.8.{dollar} These results are consistent with those previously found for high-redshift clusters in the optical-K colors.