SPITZER Spectroscopy of LIRGS and ULIRGS

Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Giessenbachstr. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany

Abstract

I summarize recent results from spectroscopic Spitzer studies of the evolution of (ultra-)luminous infrared galaxies, mainly from the QUEST and GOALS programmes. First, the mid-IR diagnostic toolbox is briefly introduced, with an emphasis on new insights on the calibration of zero points and bolometric corrections of these methods. Then various applications at low and high redshift are summarized, such as the AGN fraction in ULIRGs along a merger sequence, the star formation in QSO hosts, and the role of AGN at low and high z. These results illustrate some of the SPICA key science cases in the context of mid-IR spectroscopy of dusty galaxies at high redshifts.