Galaxy cluster correlation function to z∼1.5 in the IRAC shallow cluster survey

We present the galaxy cluster autocorrelation function of 277 galaxy cluster candidates with in 0.25 <= z <= 1.5 a 7 deg(2) area of the IRAC Shallow Cluster Survey. We find strong clustering throughout our galaxy cluster sample, as expected for these massive structures. Specifically, at < z >=0.5 we find a correlation length of r(0)=17.40(-3.10)(+3.98) h(-1)Mpc, in excellent agreement with the Las Campanas Distant Cluster Survey, the only other nonlocal measurement. At higher redshift,, we find that strong clustering persists, with a correlation AzS p 1 length of r(0)=19.14(-4.56)(+5.65) h(-1) Mpc. A comparison with high-resolution cosmological simulations indicates these are clusters with halo masses of similar to 10(14) M-circle dot, a result supported by estimates of dynamical mass for a subset of the sample. In a stable clustering picture, these clusters will evolve into massive (10(15) M-circle dot) clusters by the present day.