The integral field unit of the near infrared spectrograph for JWST

Abstract

The Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) on board of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will be equipped with an Integral Field Unit (IFU) which will allow the two-dimensional spectral characterization of astronomical objects with unprecedented depths, especially in the 2-5 micron wavelength range. In particular, NIRSpec-IFU observations of high-z galaxy populations will permit the capture of their often complex two-dimensional physical and kinematical structure, a pre-requisite for carrying out a number of studies. These types of observations will also help to understand possible observational biases of large 1D (i.e. slit) surveys to be carried out in multi-object mode. Here we describe the main characteristics of the NIRSpec-IFU, as well as its expected sensitivity and performance for observations of high-z galaxy populations. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.