Diffuse Starlight and the Evolution of Groups and Clusters of Galaxies

Using a combination of numerical simulations and observation data, I explore the use of intracluster light (ICL) as a tool to study the evolution of groups and clusters of galaxies. Groups are particularly effective at "feeding" the ICL of larger clusters, as interactions in the group environment begin to liberate tidal material, a process which is then amplified by the cluster potential.