Spitzer mid-IR spectroscopy of z~2 ULIRGs

The sample selection criteria are F24um>~0.9mJy, vFv(24um)/vFv(8um)>~3.16, and vFv(24um)/vFv(0.7um)>~10. Of the 52 spectra, 47 (90%) produced measurable redshifts based solely on the mid-IR spectral features, with 35/47 (74%) at 1.5<~z<~3.2.

Keck spectroscopy of a subsample (17/47) agrees with the mid-IR redshift measurements. The observed spectra fall into three categories: (1) 33% (17/52) have strong PAH emission and are probably powered by star formation with total IR luminosity roughly a factor of 5 higher than the local starburst ULIRGs; (2) 33% (17/52) have only deep silicate absorption at 9.8um, indicating deeply embedded dusty systems -these data alone cannot determine the energetic nature of the heating sources in these systems; and (3) the remaining 34% are mid-IR continuum-dominated systems with weak PAH emission and/or silicate absorption.