SINFONI/VLT 3D spectroscopy of massive galaxies: Evidence of rotational
  support at z~1.4
  There is cumulative evidence showing that, for the most massive galaxies, the
fraction of disk-like objects compared to those with spheroidal properties
increases with redshift. However, this evolution is thus far based on the
surface brightness study of these objects. To explore the consistency of this
scenario, it is necessary to measure the dynamical status of these galaxies.
With this aim we have obtained seeing-limited near-infrared integral field
spectra in the H-band for 10 massive galaxies (M_{stellar} >10^{11} h_{70}^-2
M_{Sun}) at z~1.4 with SINFONI at the VLT. Our sample is selected by their
stellar mass and EW[OII] > 15 \AA, to secure their kinematic measurements, but
without accounting for any morphological or flux criteria a priori. Through
this 3D kinematic spectroscopy analysis we find that half (i.e. 50+/-7%) of our
galaxies are compatible with being rotationally supported disks, in agreement
with previous morphological expectations. This is a factor of approximately two
higher than what is observed in the present Universe for objects of the same
stellar mass. Strikingly, the majority of our sample of massive galaxies show
extended and fairly high rotational velocity maps, implying that massive
galaxies acquire rapidly rotational support and hence gravitational
equilibrium. Our sample also show evidence for ongoing interactions and
mergers. Summarizing, massive galaxies at high-z show a significant diversity
and must have continued evolution beyond the fading of stellar populations, to
become their present day counterparts.
