Detection and Study of High-Redshift Galaxies Through Cluster-Lenses

Abstract

We discuss a method to build up and study a sample of distant galaxies, with 2<z<5, using the gravitational amplification effect in cluster-lenses for which the mass distribution is well known. The candidates are selected close to the critical lines at high-z, through photometric redshift estimates on a large wavelength range. With respect to other methods, this procedure allows to reduce the selection biases in luminosity, thanks to the cluster magnification of ~1 magnitude, and towards active SFRs when the near-IR domain is included. Some new results obtained with this technique are presented and discussed.

4 pages, 4 figures, To appear in "The Birth of Galaxies" 10th Rencontres de Blois, June 28 - July 4, 1998