How to analyse SPI data with XSPEC 11

last update of this page: 14.06.2004

Here I describe how to fit SPIROS output spectra with XSPEC. You might have better ideas how to do it - then please send me your comments.

Create output spectra using SPIROS
Imagine your SPIROS output spectrum has the name spectra_data.fits, then execute the following steps
rebin the first single RMF (before revolution 140), the second single RMF (revolution 140-214), or the third single RMF (after revolution 214) in order to use it with your spectrum, applying spirmf. Use this parameter file for spirmf: spirmf.par
link the produced RMF to your spectrum by applying (for the group command use the number of energy bins you have, e.g. 1-30 like here for 30 energy bins)
grppha spectra_data.fits xspec_spectrum.fits group 1-30 1 chkey RESPFILE myresponse.rmf.fits exit
Now set the keyword TLMAX1 to the actual number of energy bins (30 in our example):
fparkey value=30 fitsfile=xspec_spectrum.fits\[1] keyword=TLMAX1 add=yes
start XSPEC and feed the spectrum into it:
xspec cpd /xs data xspec_spectrum.fits setpl energy mo po 2.0 8.0 fit 1000 flux 20,200 plot ldata
In case the spectrum of the source has been created by the simulation programs (spi_osim), you have to apply the following command in XSPEC in order to use the diagonal RMF only:
diagrsp

In case of questions and comments: contact me.