3.1.11. Egrid: define model energy grids

3.1.11.1. Overview

SPEX operates essentially in two modes: with an observational data set (read using the data commands), or without data, i.e. theoretical model spectra. In the first case, the energy grid needed to evaluate the spectra is taken directly from the data set. In the second case, the user can choose his own energy grid.

The energy grid can be a linear grid, a logarithmic grid or an arbitrary grid read from an ascii-file. It is also possible to save the current energy grid, whatever that may be. In case of a linear or logarithmic grid, the lower and upper limit, as well as the number of bins or the step size must be given.

The following units can be used for the energy or wavelength: keV (the default), eV, Ryd, J, Hz, Å, nm.

When the energy grid is read or written from an ascii-file, the file must have the extension “.egr”, and contains the bin boundaries in keV, starting from the lower limit of the first bin and ending with the upper limit for the last bin. Thus, the file has 1 entry more than the number of bins! In general, the energy grid must be increasing in energy and it is not allowed that two neighbouring boundaries have the same value.

Finally, the default energy grid at startup of SPEX is a logarithmic grid between 0.001 and 100 keV, with 8192 energy bins.

Warning

When a dataset is already loaded, the egrid command overwrites the model grid set by the response matrix. This can cause problems when convolving the model spectrum with the matrix. Therefore, if you need a special energy grid (for instance, extended energy range needed for photoionisation models such as pion), first issue the egrid command, and after that read your data files.

3.1.11.2. Syntax

The following syntax rules apply:

egrid lin #r1:#r2 #i [#a] : Create a linear energy grid between #r1 and #r2, in units given by #a (as listed above). If no unit is given, it is assumed that the limits are in keV. The number of energy bins is given by #i

egrid lin #r1:#r2 step #r3 [#a] : as above, but do not prescribe the number of bins, but the bin width #r3. In case the difference between upper and lower energy is not a multiple of the bin width, the upper boundary of the last bin will be taken as close as possible to the upper boundary (but cannot be equal to it).

egrid log #r1:#r2 #i [#a] : Create a logarithmic energy grid between #r1 and #r2, in units given by #a (as listed above). If no unit is given, it is assumed that the limits are in keV. The number of energy bins is given by #i

egrid log #r1:#r2 step #r3 [#a] : as above, but do not prescribe the number of bins, but the bin width (in log ) #r3.

egrid read #a : Read the energy grid from file #a.egr

egrid save #a : Save the current energy grid to file #a.egr

Warning

The lower limit of the energy grid must be positive, and the upper limit must always be larger than the lower limit.

3.1.11.3. Examples

egrid lin 5:38 step 0.02 a : create a linear energy grid between  Å, with a step size of 0.02 Å.

egrid log 2:10 1000 : create a logarithmic energy grid with 1000 bins between  keV.

egrid log 2:10 1000 ev : create a logarithmic energy grid with 1000 bins between  keV.

egrid read mygrid : read the energy grid from the file mygrid.egr.

egrid save mygrid : save the current energy grid to file mygrid.egr.