New algorithms for reducing cross-dispersed echelle spectra

We describe advanced image processing algorithms, implemented in a data analysis package for conventional and cross-dispersed echelle spectra. Comparisons with results from other packages illustrate the outstanding quality of the new REDUCE package, particularly in terms of resulting noise level and treatment of CCD defects and cosmic ray spikes. REDUCE can be adapted relatively easily to handle a variety of instrument types, including spectrographs with prism or grating cross-dispersers, possibly fed by a fiber or image slicer, etc. In addition to reduced spectra, an accurate spatial profile is recovered, providing valuable information about the spectrograph PSF and simplifying scattered light corrections.