GERLUMPH Data Release 1: High-resolution cosmological microlensing
  magnification maps and eResearch tools
  As synoptic all-sky surveys begin to discover new multiply lensed quasars,
the flow of data will enable statistical cosmological microlensing studies of
sufficient size to constrain quasar accretion disc and supermassive black hole
properties. In preparation for this new era, we are undertaking the
GPU-Enabled, High Resolution cosmological MicroLensing parameter survey
(GERLUMPH). We present here the GERLUMPH Data Release 1, which consists of
12342 high resolution cosmological microlensing magnification maps and provides
the first uniform coverage of the convergence, shear and smooth matter fraction
parameter space. We use these maps to perform a comprehensive numerical
investigation of the mass-sheet degeneracy, finding excellent agreement with
its predictions. We study the effect of smooth matter on microlensing induced
magnification fluctuations. In particular, in the minima and saddle-point
regions, fluctuations are enhanced only along the critical line, while in the
maxima region they are always enhanced for high smooth matter fractions (~0.9).
We describe our approach to data management, including the use of an SQL
database with a Web interface for data access and online analysis, obviating
the need for individuals to download large volumes of data. In combination with
existing observational databases and online applications, the GERLUMPH archive
represents a fundamental component of a new microlensing eResearch cloud. Our
maps and tools are publicly available at http://gerlumph.swin.edu.au/.
