Star Formation at z=2.481 in the Lensed Galaxy SDSS J1110+6459, I: Lens
  Modeling and Source Reconstruction
  Using the combined resolving power of the Hubble Space Telescope and
gravitational lensing, we resolve star-forming structures in a z~2.5 galaxy on
scales much smaller than the usual kiloparsec diffraction limit of HST. SGAS
J111020.0+645950.8 is a clumpy, star forming galaxy lensed by the galaxy
cluster SDSS J1110+6459 at z = 0.659, with a total magnification ~30x across
the entire arc. We use a hybrid parametric/non-parametric strong lensing mass
model to compute the deflection and magnification of this giant arc,
reconstruct the light distribution of the lensed galaxy in the source plane,
and resolve the star formation into two dozen clumps. We develop a
forward-modeling technique to model each clump in the source plane. We ray
trace the model to the image plane, convolve with the instrumental point spread
function (PSF), and compare with the GALFIT model of the clumps in the image
plane, which decomposes clump structure from more extended emission. This
technique has the advantage, over ray tracing, by accounting for the asymmetric
lensing shear of the galaxy in the image plane and the instrument PSF. At this
resolution, we can begin to study star formation on a clump-by-clump basis,
toward the goal of understanding feedback mechanisms and the buildup of
exponential disks at high redshift.
