Lenses In VoicE (LIVE): searching for strong gravitational lenses in the VOICE@VST survey using convolutional neural networks

We present a sample of 16 likely strong gravitational lenses identified in the VST Optical Imaging of the CDFS and ES1 fields (VOICE survey) using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We train two different CNNs on composite images produced by superimposing simulated gravitational arcs on real Luminous Red Galaxies observed in VOICE. Specifically, the first CNN is trained on single-band images and more easily identifies systems with large Einstein radii, while the second one, trained on composite RGB images, is more accurate in retrieving systems with smaller Einstein radii. We apply both networks to real data from the VOICE survey, taking advantage of the high limiting magnitude (26.1 in the r band) and low PSF FWHM (0.8arcsec in the r band) of this deep survey. We analyse similar to 21200 images with mag(r) < 21.5, identifying 257 lens candidates. To retrieve a high-confidence sample and to assess the accuracy of our technique, nine of the authors perform a visual inspection. Roughly 75 percent of the systems are classified as likely lenses by at least one of the authors. Finally, we assemble the LIVE sample (Lenses In VoicE) composed by the 16 systems passing the chosen grading threshold. Three of these candidates show likely lensing features when observed by the Hubble Space Telescope. This work represents a further confirmation of the ability of CNNs to inspect large samples of galaxies searching for gravitational lenses. These algorithms will be crucial to exploit the full scientific potential of forthcoming surveys with the Euclid satellite and the Vera Rubin Observatory.

Automated summary

The authors identified 16 likely strong gravitational lenses using CNNs on data from the VOICE survey, with two different CNNs trained on composite images to accurately identify systems with different Einstein radii. The high-confidence lens candidate sample was visually inspected by nine of the authors, with roughly 75% of the systems classified as likely lenses. This work confirms the effectiveness of CNNs in inspecting large samples of galaxies for gravitational lenses, which will be crucial for future surveys with the Euclid satellite and the Vera Rubin Observatory.