Processing and interpretation of pre-flight FUSE spectra

H-2 and Pt-Ne gas lamp spectra acquired during the pre-flight optical testing of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) have been studied in order to refine the science data processing procedure. Using automated spectral line identification software and raytrace models of instrument point spread functions, a pre-flight optical performance assessment was completed. The method by which the raw two-dimensional FUSE detector data are converted into calibrated, one-dimensional spectra is described and illustrated using spectrograph integration and test (I & T) data. A pre-flight estimate of the resolving power of FUSE is presented along with a thorough description of the associated approximations used to convert measured values of lambda/Delta lambda to resolving power. The point spread functions of data from spectrograph I & T and optical-end-to-end testing (OETE) are presented, and the test factors causing their different appearances is discussed.