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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2011
Selection effects in the submillimeter/far-infrared inhibit detailed analysis of extreme starbursts in the early Universe. Submillimeter Galaxy (SMG) detection and characterization biases against warm temperature SEDs Tdust ~50 K, against the highest redshift ULIRGs z > 3, and has so far been limited to a small sample of ~100 sources that have reliably identified optical or radio counterparts and spectroscopic redshifts. Recent observations by Herschel ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ and ⋅ ⋅ ⋅⋅ ⋅ in the ~70–500 μm wavelength range provide a more complete census of high-z ULIRG activity than previous SMG surveys. However, source confusion and lack of spectroscopic identification of reliable counterparts limit the analysis of extreme ULIRGs to the most basic calculations, frought with a priori assumptions (e.g. Tdust/(1+z) degeneracy, far-IR/radio relation, confusion boosting factors, etc). Herein I address the biases on conclusions of SMG work and I demonstrate the need for thorough, spectroscopic follow-up of high-z ULIRGs in order to infer their physical conditions.