DESI Strong Lens Foundry III: Keck Spectroscopy for Strong Lenses Discovered Using Residual Neural Networks
Pith reviewed 2026-05-18 14:10 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
NIRES infrared spectroscopy combined with DESI optical data yields complete redshifts for six strong lens systems discovered by residual neural networks.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
The central claim is that Keck NIRES infrared spectroscopy successfully measures source redshifts for six strong lens systems found via Residual Neural Networks in the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys, with values between z_s = 1.675 and 3.332. Combined with DESI optical spectroscopy, this delivers full redshift information for both lenses and sources in six cases, while two non-detections are linked to shorter 600-second exposures at high airmass.
What carries the argument
Keck NIRES infrared echellette spectrometer targeting emission lines from lensed source galaxies at redshifts difficult to access optically.
If this is right
- These redshifts enable extraction of physical parameters from detailed lensing modeling for the six systems.
- The results supply a resource for refining automated strong lens searches in future deep- and wide-field imaging surveys.
- The redshift data supports investigation of a range of questions in astrophysics and cosmology using strong lensing.
Where Pith is reading between the lines
- The same NIRES-plus-DESI approach could be scaled to the much larger lens samples expected from surveys such as LSST or Euclid.
- Confirmed high-redshift sources provide magnified views that could be used to study early galaxy properties in greater detail.
- Success of residual neural networks on this sample offers a benchmark for training lens-finding algorithms on other large imaging datasets.
Load-bearing premise
The observed spectral features with NIRES correctly identify emission lines from the lensed source galaxies at the reported redshifts, and the two non-detections result only from shorter exposures at high airmass.
What would settle it
A longer-exposure or higher-sensitivity spectrum of either non-detected system that shows no emission lines at the wavelengths expected for the reported redshifts or reveals lines at a clearly different redshift.
Figures
read the original abstract
We present spectroscopic data of strong lenses and their source galaxies using the Keck Near-Infrared Echellette Spectrometer (NIRES) and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), providing redshifts necessary for nearly all strong-lensing applications with these systems, especially the extraction of physical parameters from lensing modeling. These strong lenses were found in the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys using Residual Neural Networks (ResNet) and followed up by our Hubble Space Telescope program, with all systems displaying unambiguous lensed arcs. With NIRES, we target eight lensed sources at redshifts difficult to measure in the optical range and determine the source redshifts for six, between $z_s$ = 1.675 and 3.332. DESI observed one of the remaining source redshifts, as well as an additional source redshift within the six systems. The two systems with non-detections by NIRES were observed for a considerably shorter 600s at high airmass. Combining NIRES infrared spectroscopy with optical spectroscopy from our DESI Strong Lensing Secondary Target Program, these results provide the complete lens and source redshifts for six systems, a resource for refining automated strong lens searches in future deep- and wide-field imaging surveys and addressing a range of questions in astrophysics and cosmology.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The manuscript presents Keck NIRES near-infrared spectroscopy targeting eight lensed sources from strong lens systems discovered via Residual Neural Networks in the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys. Source redshifts are successfully measured for six systems (zs = 1.675–3.332), with DESI providing one additional source redshift and optical data; combined with the DESI Strong Lensing Secondary Target Program, this yields complete lens and source redshifts for six systems.
Significance. If the redshift measurements are secure, the work supplies essential spectroscopic data for strong-lensing modeling, enabling extraction of physical parameters and supporting studies in astrophysics and cosmology. It also serves as a practical resource for refining automated lens searches in future wide-field surveys by demonstrating the utility of combined optical and near-IR follow-up for high-redshift sources.
major comments (2)
- NIRES Observations section: The attribution of the two non-detections solely to the shorter 600 s exposures at high airmass lacks supporting quantitative details such as noise estimates, achieved sensitivity, or expected emission-line flux limits; without these, alternative explanations (e.g., intrinsically faint lines) cannot be ruled out and weaken in the overall success rate.
- Results section on redshift determinations: The specific emission lines used to derive each of the six source redshifts, together with their observed wavelengths and any velocity offsets, are not listed or tabulated; this information is required to verify that the features are correctly attributed to the background lensed galaxies rather than sky residuals, lens-galaxy lines, or noise.
minor comments (2)
- Introduction: Include explicit cross-references to the earlier papers in the DESI Strong Lens Foundry series to clarify the progression from discovery (Paper I/II) to spectroscopic follow-up.
- Figure presentation: Ensure that any spectra figures include clear line identifications, wavelength scales, and error spectra so readers can directly assess the redshift assignments.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for their constructive comments and positive assessment of the manuscript. We address each major comment below and will incorporate the suggested improvements in the revised version.
read point-by-point responses
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Referee: NIRES Observations section: The attribution of the two non-detections solely to the shorter 600 s exposures at high airmass lacks supporting quantitative details such as noise estimates, achieved sensitivity, or expected emission-line flux limits; without these, alternative explanations (e.g., intrinsically faint lines) cannot be ruled out and weaken in the overall success rate.
Authors: We agree that quantitative details would strengthen the discussion of the non-detections. In the revised manuscript we will add noise estimates, achieved sensitivity, and expected emission-line flux limits derived from the 600 s exposures, airmass, and NIRES instrument performance. These additions will help contextualize the success rate and address possible alternative explanations. revision: yes
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Referee: Results section on redshift determinations: The specific emission lines used to derive each of the six source redshifts, together with their observed wavelengths and any velocity offsets, are not listed or tabulated; this information is required to verify that the features are correctly attributed to the background lensed galaxies rather than sky residuals, lens-galaxy lines, or noise.
Authors: We acknowledge the value of this information for verification. The revised manuscript will include a table listing the specific emission lines, observed wavelengths, and any velocity offsets used for each of the six source redshifts. This will allow readers to confirm the attributions to the lensed sources. revision: yes
Circularity Check
No circularity: direct observational redshift measurements
full rationale
This paper is a pure observational data report presenting Keck NIRES and DESI spectra for strong-lens systems discovered via ResNet. Redshifts are obtained by direct line identification against standard wavelength references with no equations, fitted parameters, derivations, or load-bearing self-citations. The six reported source redshifts and two non-detections are empirical results, not predictions or renamings that reduce to the paper's own inputs. The work is self-contained against external spectroscopic standards and contains no derivation chain to analyze.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
axioms (1)
- standard math Standard assumptions in astronomical spectroscopy for line identification and redshift calculation from observed wavelengths.
Lean theorems connected to this paper
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IndisputableMonolith/Foundation/RealityFromDistinction.leanreality_from_one_distinction unclear?
unclearRelation between the paper passage and the cited Recognition theorem.
With NIRES, we target eight lensed sources at redshifts difficult to measure in the optical range and determine the source redshifts for six, between zs = 1.675 and 3.332.
What do these tags mean?
- matches
- The paper's claim is directly supported by a theorem in the formal canon.
- supports
- The theorem supports part of the paper's argument, but the paper may add assumptions or extra steps.
- extends
- The paper goes beyond the formal theorem; the theorem is a base layer rather than the whole result.
- uses
- The paper appears to rely on the theorem as machinery.
- contradicts
- The paper's claim conflicts with a theorem or certificate in the canon.
- unclear
- Pith found a possible connection, but the passage is too broad, indirect, or ambiguous to say the theorem truly supports the claim.
Reference graph
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