K-DRIFT Science Theme: New Theoretical Framework Using the Galaxy Replacement Technique for LSB studies
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Low-surface-brightness (LSB) structures provide critical insights into the hierarchical formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters. The KASI Deep Rolling Imaging Fast Telescope (K-DRIFT) is designed to detect such diffuse features through deep, wide-field optical imaging with a surface brightness reaching $\sim$$30~\rm{mag}~\rm{arcsec}^{-2}$. To interpret the observation data expected from K-DRIFT, we have developed the Galaxy Replacement Technique (GRT), an $N$-body simulation framework optimized for tracing the gravitational evolution of stellar components. The GRT works by inserting high-resolution galaxy models, including a dark matter (DM) halo and stellar disk, in place of multiple low-resolution DM halos in the base $N$-body cosmological simulation. It allows us to achieve very high mass ($m_{star}=5.4\times10^4\msun\ h^{-1}$) and spatial resolution (10~$\rm{pc}~h^{-1}$) with shorter computation time compared to full hydrodynamic cosmological simulations. Therefore, this technique is particularly well-suited for studying LSB structures, with a surface brightness reaching $\sim$$31~\rm{mag}~\rm{arcsec}^{-2}$. In this paper, we present the motivation and methodology of the GRT, summarize key results from previous studies, and highlight its synergy with K-DRIFT observations. We further discuss planned science cases using the GRT, aiming to build a theoretical basis for interpreting LSB features in various environments.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Institutions: Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, Korea University of Science and Technology, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Korea Institute for Advanced Study, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Kyungpook National University
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7134809740
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