The kinematic characterization of different galaxy populations is a key
observational input to distinguish between different galaxy evolutionary
scenarios, since it helps to determine the number ratio of rotating disks
to mergers at different cosmic epochs. Local luminous and ultra-luminous
infrared galaxies [(U)LIRGs] offer a unique opportunity to study at high
linear resolution and S/N extreme star forming events and compare them
with those observed at high z.
We obtained Very Large Telescope (VLT) VIMOS optical integral field
spectroscopy (IFS) data of a sample of 38 local (z < 0.1) (U)LIRGs (50
individual objects). Our goal is to analyze in detail the kinematics of
the
H\alpha ionized gas applying kinematic criteria able to characterize the
evolutionary status of these systems. In particular, the unweighted and
weighted kinemetry-based methods are used to kinematically classify our
galaxies in disk and merger. We also simulate our systems at z=3 to
evaluate how a loss of angular resolution affects our results.
From the kinemetry-based analysis we are able classify our local (U)LIRGs
in three distinct kinematic groups according to their total kinematic
asymmetry values (Ktot) as derived when using the weighted (unweighted)
method: 1) 25 out of 50 galaxies are kinematically classified as disk; 2)
9 out of 50 galaxies are kinematically classified as merger; 3) 16 out of 50
galaxies lie in the transition region, in which disks and mergers coexist.
When we apply our criteria to the high-z simulated systems, a lower total
kinematic asymmetry frontier value is derived with respect to that found
locally. The loss of angular resolution smears out the kinematic features,
thus making objects to appear more kinematically regular than actually they
are.