Integrated spectra extraction based on signal-to-noise optimization using Integral Field Spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper introduces an optimization-based method for extracting high signal-to-noise integrated spectra from integral field spectroscopy data, improving spectral quality for physical and morphological analysis.

Contribution

It presents a novel optimization procedure for spectral extraction in IFS data, implemented as a user-friendly IDL algorithm within the PINGSoft software package.

Findings

Significant S/N enhancement over fixed-aperture spectra

Validated method on VLT-VIMOS (U)LIRG galaxy data

Provides a versatile tool for the community

Abstract

We propose and explore the potential of a method to extract high signal-to-noise (S/N) integrated spectra related to physical and/or morphological regions on a 2-dimensional field using Integral Field Spectroscopy (IFS) observations by employing an optimization procedure based on either continuum (stellar) or line (nebular) emission features. The optimization method is applied to a set of IFS VLT-VIMOS observations of (U)LIRG galaxies, describing the advantages of the optimization by comparing the results with a fixed-aperture, single spectrum case, and by implementing some statistical tests. We demonstrate that the S/N of the IFS optimized integrated spectra is significantly enhanced when compared with the single aperture unprocessed case. We provide an iterative user-friendly and versatile IDL algorithm that allows the user to spatially integrate spectra following more standard procedures. This is made available to the community as part of the PINGSoft IFS software package.