Two-dimensional structure and kinematics of a representative sample of low-z ULIRGs

Abstract

We present the optical INTEGRAL integral field spectroscopy data and Hubble Space Telescope archive images obtained for a representative sample of 22 local Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies (ULIRGs L_IR >10¹²L_odot). The sample has been designed for fulfilling a program aimed at studying the internal structure and kinematics of this type of galaxies. Taking advantage of the two-dimensional nature of the data, we study the structure of the stellar and ionized gas, the internal ionization state and the gas kinematics. In this contribution we present the sample and the most important results obtained so far.