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8 Spectroscopy - Procedures & Database Products

 

Spectroscopic calibrations are complex, with added complexity from the multislit nature of DEIMOS. We assume multislit throughout; longslit is a special case of multislit.

This chapter deals with these elements:

X-rectification:
This operation removes x-distortion -- distortion in the x-direction -- and is commonly referred to as ``straightening the spectra.'' (Note that this only applies to the spectrum of a slitlet; tilts in object spectra due to atmospheric dispersion are not removed by this process.) For simplicity, the operation is applied to all spectral data before any other spectral calibration. We adopt a form:

displaymath6545

to describe the x-distortion pattern.

Wavelength calibration:
Assigning accurate wavelengths to each pixel in a spectrum. Accuracy of assignment is TBD, but is expected to be tex2html_wrap_inline5735 0.25 pixel or better. We assume the form:

displaymath6549

where the subscripts o and a denote derivation from the individual observation or from the database archive, respectively. We assume the spectra have already been x-rectified or straightened. This functional form describes the wavelength dependence for across an image; note that between slitlets there will be a discontinuity in the coefficient functions p(x), q(x), r(x), s(x), t(x),. The general form requires knowledge of p, q, r, s, t as functions of tex2html_wrap_inline6559 as well.

Relative flux calibration:
Adjusting counts along a spectrum and between slits so that the same count-vs-flux ratio applies at a particular wavelength.

Absolute flux calibration:
Conversion of count rates into physical flux units. This consists of a ``sensitivity curve'' (spectrum) that converts a count-rate at a given wavelength into units of erg s tex2html_wrap_inline5643 cm tex2html_wrap_inline6563 Å tex2html_wrap_inline5643 .

Flat field:
[To be written.]

8.1 Background and Issues

Wavelength Calibration:

Internal arcs lamps cannot be used to precisely wavelength calibrate spectra on the sky for these reasons:

-
Arc lamps don't illuminate optics the same as celestial objects;
-
Temporal instabilies change lambda scale;
-
Flexure effects;
-
Scale change with T; and
-
Scale change with focus

In addition, we don't want to take internal arc spectra during the night, both because of loss of observing time and because the hatch must be closed, which interrupts guiding.

However, spectra on the sky (particularly in the blue) will not always include enough night sky lines of sufficient S/N to provide a satisfactory wavelength solution. A hybrid calibration -- using internal lamps for higher order terms and night sky lines for lower-order terms -- is probably the most practical method to overcome these difficulties. In practice, we propose that the coefficients r, s, t can be obtained from internal arc spectra (and maintained in the database for pipeline mode), and only the zeropoint and scale (p, q) come directly from the science images using night sky lines. Our goal by this method is tex2html_wrap_inline6573 px.

The coefficients are measured for each grating using a set of ``line-of-slitlets'' (LOS) masks to provide a grid of positions in the MF/SMCS. Spectra are obtained and measured for each slit through a sequence of grating tilts. For each grating, this gives a set of coefficients on a representative grid in grating tilt ( tex2html_wrap_inline5641 ) and slitmask coordinates (X,Y), that is,
tex2html_wrap_inline6579
tex2html_wrap_inline6581
tex2html_wrap_inline6583
tex2html_wrap_inline6585
tex2html_wrap_inline6587
Note that, once x-rectified, there is a one-to-one correspondence between X and xgif.

There are two options for database storage. First, the actual 3-D data cubes (one per grating) can be stored. For reasonable values of gratings (5), LOS masks (8), slits per mask (100) and grating tilts (12), this means storing five data cubes of 9600 numbers each, or 48000 numbers total. To retrieve coeeficients would involve interpolating in the appropriate data cube. The second method is to fit each data cube with an interpolating function of the form:
tex2html_wrap_inline6595 tex2html_wrap_inline6597 tex2html_wrap_inline6599
For five interpolating functions with 13 coefficients each, we need to store only 65 numbers per grating, or 325 numbers total for five gratings. The actual number of coefficients needed is TBD.

Flux Calibration: The grating introduces an additional degree of complexity, partially by introducing an occasional vignetting that depends on grating tilt, but most importantly because the camera will now vignette some of the incoming beams. The vignetting at the grating itself, however, will affect absolute but not relative flux calibration, as the light is not yet dispersed. Furthermore, the camera vignetting is a function of the grating reflection angle only, and it does not matter if that angle is a result of dispersion, slitlet location, or both. For this reason, we can use continuous spectra of a line-of-holes (LOH) mask to map out the camera vignetting sufficient for relative flux calibration.

Here is a summary of the various components to spectral flux calibration:

collimator/tent vignetting: this affects the overall flux level, independent of wavelength, as a function of slitmask X,Y. Use a direct flat to determine its effect, and apply to the entire spectrum.

grating vignetting: only a problem for the large ( tex2html_wrap_inline5649 ) grating at large tilts. Measurement TBD.

grating efficiency: can be measured through a series of observations over various tilts for each grating. TBD: standard light source appropriate for these measurements.

camera vignetting: can be measured via LOH spectra.

8.2 Procedures

8.2.1 Baseline Mode

x-rectification: The user may use either a LOH mask or even spaces between slits on a science slitmask, illuminated by internal lamp, dome lamp or (preferably) the twilight sky to trace out slitlet edges and solve for the x-distortion in (x,y).

Wavelength Calibration: In baseline mode, the user employs either internal arc spectra or night sky lines to solve for the values of the coefficient functions p(x), q(x), r(x), s(x), t(x). In practice, this will probably involve internal arcs for r, s, t and night sky lines for the zeropoint and scale p, q. Again, note that these coefficients will be discontinuous in x between slitlets. A specific ``recipe'' follows:

  1. Obtain internal arc spectra through each mask with same grating, tilt and order-separating filter as used for science exposures;
  2. X-rectify in same manner as science image;
  3. Y-rectify in same manner as science image, to straighten emission lines; [Not described yet]
  4. Extract calibration spectra in same manner as object spectra;
  5. Measure line peaks to obtain y position for each arc line;
  6. Identify line wavelengths (arc and nightsky spectra and wavelengths will be kept in the database);
  7. Solve for coefficients tex2html_wrap_inline6615 (here, ``a'' refers to ``arc spectrum'');
  8. Extract night sky spectrum (or local arc) taken at same position/time as science image (the S/N in the lines can be relatively low);
  9. Measure and identify emission lines;
  10. Solve for unknown coefficients tex2html_wrap_inline6621 for each object spectrum, assuming tex2html_wrap_inline6623 from previous fits.
  11. Extracted object spectrum is remapped onto a specified tex2html_wrap_inline6625 grid.

Flux Calibration:

8.2.2 Pipeline Mode

x-rectification: The x-distortion map is retreived from the database; image is remapped. [What about scale changes?].

Wavelength Calibration: Coefficients p, q, r, s, t are interpolated for each x and tex2html_wrap_inline6559 from information in the database . Night sky lines (or internal arc at same position/time) are used to solve for specific tex2html_wrap_inline6621 , assuming r, s, t from above. Image is remapped onto a specified tex2html_wrap_inline6625 grid.

Flux Calibration:

8.3 Database Products

The database will contain a current x-distortion map; for each grating, a 3-D table of coefficients tex2html_wrap_inline6615 that can be interpolated to specific values at a given (x,y) and tex2html_wrap_inline6559 or interpolating functions for each grating to provide the same values; [flux cal info, TDB].

The database will also contain certain supplemental information:

wavelength- and flux-calibrated spectra of each arc lamp and the night sky, obtained with each grating;
list of wavelengths for each arc lamp and the night sky;
grating and order-separating filter information.

Required Hardware:

-
Line-of-slitlets (LOS) mask
-
Line-of-holes (LOH) mask

8.3.1 To create the database wavelength calibration:

1.
Obtain spectral images through LOS masks illuminated with an appropriate arc source (appropriate means sufficient density of identified spectral lines throughout the spectral region of interest). This requires, for each grating, exposing through a set of LOS masks and a sequence of grating tilts. (Assuming 5 gratings, 8 LOS masks, 12 grating tilts, and 1 minute per exposure, this means 480 exposures for a total time of 8 hr.)

2.
X-rectify each image.

3.
Extract the spectrum for each aperture in the LOS mask (48000 spectra total).

4.
Measure and identify lines in each spectrum and solve for the coefficients p, q, r, s, t as functions of tex2html_wrap_inline6647 . Place in a 3-D table for each grating and tilt (240000 coefficients total).

[5.]
Fit interpolating functions to the values of p, q, r, s, t as functions of tex2html_wrap_inline6647 for each grating.

8.3.2 To create the database relative flux calibration:

8.3.3 To create the database throughput calibration:

8.4 Other Products

Instrument-control scripts and instructions to create the database products listed above will be required.

8.5 Outstanding Issues

As stated earlier, for flux calibration there is a need for a continuum light source of constant spectral shape.

We need to discuss the effect of spatial distortion (different scales throughout the image) on flux calibration. If the distortion is mapable, there is no problem correcting the data for this.

We have not described slit functions (variations in throughput due to irregularities in the slit shape). These must be mapped by the user for each mask, and will be sensitive to plate scale changes, but their measurement and removal is not expected to be a problem. Current milling practices appear to reduce variations along the slit to less than about 1%.


next up previous contents index
Next: 9 Health & Stability Up: Part III: DEIMOS Calibration: Previous: 7 Imaging - Procedures

DEIMOS Software Team <deimos@ucolick.org>
1997-06-13T00:18:19