What arc lamp species are recommended for use with the pipeline?
Our tests suggest that for DEEP2-like settings (7800Å central wavelength, 1200-line/mmm grating), the best results are obtained from a 1-2 second exposure with the Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe lamps on. This gives a good number of strong lines on both the blue and red sides of the detector. For 600-line data, the same combination of lamps (Ne Ar Kr Xe) produces good results; Cd, Hg, and/or Zn could be added to yield additional lines at the bluest wavelengths, but these are not absolutely necessary for a quality wavelength solution. Note that Cd Hg Ne Xe Zn yields few lines towards the red, and thus is likely to be inadequate for the current version of the pipeline. Regardless, please be sure that the Ne lamp is warmed up and yielding strong flux; it has been intermittent at times, but is critical to the wavelength solutions. spec2d cookbook.
