MeerKAT observations of starburst galaxies and AGNs within the core of XMMXCS J2215.9-1738 at z = 1.46

We present the first detailed radio study of the galaxy cluster XMMXCS J2215.9-1738 at z = 1.46 using MeerKAT L-band (1.3 GHz) observations. We combine our radio observation with archival optical and infrared data to investigate the star formation and AGN population within R₂₀₀ ($R = $ 0.8 Mpc) of the cluster centre. Using three selection criteria; the radio luminosity, the far-infrared radio ratio (qIR) and the mid-infrared colour, we distinguish galaxies with radio emission predominantly powered by star formation from that powered by AGNs. We selected 24 cluster members within R₂₀₀ in the MeerKAT image based on either their photometric or spectroscopic redshift. We classified 12/24 ($50%$) as galaxies whose radio emission is dominated by star-formation activity, 6/24 ($25%$) as intermediate star-forming galaxies and 6/24 ($25%$) as AGN-dominated galaxies. Using the radio continuum luminosities of the star-forming cluster galaxies, we estimated an integrated star formation rate (SFR) value of 1700 ± 330 M_yr⁻¹ within R₂₀₀. We derived a mass-normalized integrated SFR value of (570 ± 110) × 10⁻¹⁴ yr⁻¹. This supports previous observational and theoretical studies that indicated a rapid increase in star formation activity within the core of high-redshift clusters. We also show that the high AGN fraction within the cluster core is consistent with previous cluster observations at $z >$ 1.5.