New observational constraints on interacting dark energy using galaxy clusters virial equilibrium states

As the dark sector remains unknown in composition and interaction between dark energy and dark matter stand out as natural, observations of galaxy clusters out of equilibrium abound, opening a promising window on these questions. We continue here the exploration of dark sector interaction detection via clusters virial equilibrium state for all clusters configurations. The dynamics of clusters is evaluated with the Layzer-Irvine equation, a simple model of an interacting dark sector and some simplifying assumptions to obtain the time-dependent part of the virial dynamics. The clusters' data are concentrated in optical weak lensing and X-ray observations that evaluate, respectively, the clusters' mass profiles and temperatures. The global inconsistency of available X-ray data led us to constitute `gold' cluster samples. Through a Bayesian analysis, they are processed to obtain consistent interaction detected up to 3\(\sigma\), in compounded interaction strength for 11 clusters at \(-0.027 \pm 0.009\) that translate in compounded universal equilibrium virial ratio of \(-0.61^{+0.04}_{-0.03}\). The level of detection and inconsistency of X-ray data call for caution, although future instruments promise a clearer detection soon.