Microlensing of Quasars

Joachim Wambsganss, PASA, 18 (2), in press.
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Contents Page: Volume 18, Number 2

Microlensing of Quasars

Joachim Wambsganss1,2,3

Universität Potsdam, Institut für Physik, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
jkw@astro.physik.uni-potsdam.de
and
The University of Melbourne, School of Physics, Parkville, Vic 3004, Australia

Abstract:

Microlens-induced variability in multiple quasars can be used to study two cosmological issues of great interest, the size and brightness profile of quasars on one hand, and the distribution of compact (dark) matter along the line of sight on the other. Here a summary is given of recent theoretical progress as well as observational evidence for quasar microlensing, plus a discussion of desired observations and required theoretical studies.

Keywords: Gravitational lensing - cosmology - quasars: general


Figure 1: Illustration of how a caustic/magnification distribution of stars/compact objects can distort and differentially magnify a background object.
\begin{figure} \centerline{ \epsfig{file=kANG_50c.ps,width=65mm} \epsfig{file=kANG_50d.ps,width=65mm} } \end{figure}




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