An integral field spectrograph records a spectrum for each of many spatial elements across a two-dimensional field, producing a spectral data cube. Field reformatters include lenslet arrays, optical fibers and image slicers.
An image slicer divides a two-dimensional image into narrow strips and optically rearranges them into a long pseudo-slit. A spectrograph then disperses each strip while preserving its position along the slit.
A spectral data cube stores intensity with two spatial coordinates and one spectral coordinate. The third coordinate is wavelength, not an additional spatial dimension.
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An Integral Field Spectrograph (IFS) is an advanced astronomical instrument used to obtain detailed spectral information over a two-dimensional field of view. It combines imaging and spectroscopy, allowing astronomers to study both the spatial distribution and the spectral characteristics of light from celestial objects simultaneously.