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RESEARCH PRODUCT

A note on some discrepancies in convolution models in X-ray spectral analysis

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Convolution models are powerful tools in many fields of spectral and image analysis owing to their wide applicability, and X-ray astrophysical spectral analysis is no exception. We found that relativistically broadened Fe K${\alpha}$ line profiles obtained through many convolution models both within and without Xspec show deviations from the profiles produced by their non-convolution counterparts. These discrepancies depend on the energy grid considered and on the shape of both the kernel and the underlying spectrum, but can reach as high as 10% of the flux in certain energy bins. We believe that this effect should be taken into consideration, considering how often these models are used to study spectral features of lower relative intensity, and advise great discretion in using them.