Optimal Extraction of Fibre Optic Spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper introduces an optimal extraction method for multi-object fibre spectroscopy data that minimizes crosstalk and noise, improving data quality for tightly packed fibre profiles using simulations and real observational data.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel extraction routine that effectively reduces crosstalk and noise in fibre spectroscopy, especially for overlapping fibre profiles.

Findings

Reduces crosstalk between adjacent fibres

Statistically weights extraction to minimize noise

Validated with simulations and real data from AAOmega and SPIRAL instruments

Abstract

We report an optimal extraction methodology, for the reduction of multi-object fibre spectroscopy data, operating in the regime of tightly packed (and hence significantly overlapping) fibre profiles. The routine minimises crosstalk between adjacent fibres and statistically weights the extraction to reduce noise. As an example of the process we use simulations of the numerous modes of operation of the AAOmega fibre spectrograph and observational data from the SPIRAL Integral Field Unit at the Anglo-Australian Telescope.