An extensive library of synthetic spectra covering the far red, RAVE and GAIA wavelength ranges

A library of 183 588 synthetic spectra based on Kurucz's ATLAS9 models is presented for the far red spectral interval (7653-8747 Angstrom). It is characterized by 3500 K less than or equal to T(eff) less than or equal to 47 500 K, 0.0 less than or equal to log g less than or equal to 5.0, -3.0 less than or equal to [M/H] less than or equal to +0.5, 0 less than or equal to V(rot) less than or equal to 500 km s(-1), xi = 2 km s(-1). The whole grid of spectra is calculated for resolving powers 8500, 11500 and 20000. A section of the grid is also computed for [alpha/Fe] = +0.4 and for microturbulent velocities 0 and 4 km s(-1). The library covers the wavelength ranges and resolutions of the two ambitious spectroscopic surveys by the ground experiment RAVE and the space mission GAIA. Cross-sections across the multi-dimensional data-cube are used to illustrate the behaviour of the strongest spectral lines. Interpretation of real data will have to include interpolation to grid substeps. We present a simple estimate of the accuracy of such a procedure.