The SINS/zC-SINF Survey of z similar to 2 Galaxy Kinematics: SINFONI Adaptive Optics-assisted Data and Kiloparsec-scale Emission-line Properties

Abstract

We present the "SINS/zC-SINF AO survey" of 35 star-forming galaxies, the largest sample with deep adaptive optics (AO)-assisted near-infrared integral field spectroscopy at z similar to 2. The observations, taken with SINFONI at the Very Large Telescope, resolve the Ha and [N II] emission and kinematics on scales of similar to 1.5 kpc. The sample probes the massive (M star similar to 2 x 10(9) - 3 x 10(11) M-circle dot), actively star-forming (SFR similar to 10-600 M-circle dot yr(-1)) part of the z similar to 2 galaxy population over a wide range of colors ((U-V)(rest) similar to 0.15-1.5 mag) and half-light radii (R-e,(H) similar to 1-8.5 kpc). The sample overlaps largely with the "main sequence" of star-forming galaxies in the same redshift range to a similar K-AB = 23 mag limit; it has similar to 0.3 dex higher median specific SFR, similar to 0.1 mag bluer median (U - V)(rest) color, and similar to 10% larger median rest-optical size. We describe the observations, data reduction, and extraction of basic flux and kinematic properties. With typically 3-4 times higher resolution and 4-5 times longer integrations (up to 23 hr) than the seeing-limited data sets of the same objects, the AO data reveal much more detail in morphology and kinematics. The complete AO observations confirm the majority of kinematically classified disks and the typically elevated disk velocity dispersions previously reported based on subsets of the data. We derive typically flat or slightly negative radial [N II]/H alpha gradients, with no significant trend with global galaxy properties, kinematic nature, or the presence of an AGN. Azimuthal variations in [N II]/H alpha are seen in several sources and are associated with ionized gas outflows and possibly more metal-poor star-forming clumps or small companions.