CLASH-VLT: constraints on f(R) gravity models with galaxy clusters using lensing and kinematic analyses

We perform a maximum likelihood kinematic analysis of the two dynamically relaxed galaxy clusters MACS J1206.2-0847 at z = 0.44 and RXC J2248.7-4431 at z = 0.35 to determine the total mass profile in modified gravity models, using a modified version of the MAMPOSSt code of Mamon, Biviano and Boue. Our work is based on the kinematic and lensing mass profiles derived using the data from the Cluster Lensing And Supernova survey with Hubble (hereafter CLASH) and the spectroscopic follow-up with the Very Large Telescope (hereafter CLASH-VLT). We assume a spherical Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW hereafter) profile in order to obtain a constraint on the fifth force interaction range lambda for models in which the dependence of this parameter on the environment is negligible at the scale considered (i.e. lambda = const) and fixing the fifth force strength to the value predicted in f(R) gravity. We then use information from lensing analysis to put a prior on the other NFW free parameters. In the case of MACSJ 1206 the joint kinematic+lensing analysis leads to an upper limit on the effective interaction range lambda <= 1.61 Mpc at Delta chi(2) = 2.71 on the marginalized distribution. For RXJ 2248 instead a possible tension with the Lambda CDM model appears when adding lensing information, with a lower limit lambda >= 0.14 Mpc at Delta chi(2) = 2.71. This is consequence of the slight difference between the lensing and kinematic data, appearing in GR for this cluster, that could in principle be explained in terms of modifications of gravity. We discuss the impact of systematics and the limits of our analysis as well as future improvements of the results obtained. This work has interesting implications in view of upcoming and future large imaging and spectroscopic surveys, that will deliver lensing and kinematic mass reconstruction for a large number of galaxy clusters.