2016A&A...585A..64S

The full spectrum fitting of stellar spectra against a library of empirical spectra is a well-established approach to measure the atmospheric parameters of FGK stars with a high internal consistency. Extending it towards cooler stars still remains a challenge. We address this question by improving the interpolator of the Medium-resolution INT Library of Empirical Spectra (MILES) library in the low effective temperature regime (T_eff<4800K), and we refine the determination of the parameters of the cool MILES stars. We use the ULySS package to determine the atmospheric parameters (T_eff, logg and [Fe/H]), and measure the biases of the results with respect to our updated compilation of parameters calibrated against theoretical spectra. After correcting some systematic effects, we compute a new interpolator that we finally use to redetermine the atmospheric parameters homogeneously and assess the biases. Based on an updated literature compilation, we determine T_eff in a more accurate and unbiased manner compared to those determined with the original interpolator. The validity range is extended downwards to about T_eff=2900K compared to 3500K previously. The mean residual biases on T_eff, logg, and [Fe/H], with respect to the literature compilation for the coolest stars (T_eff≤3800K) computed using the new interpolator, are -15K, -0.02dex, and 0.02dex respectively. The corresponding estimations of the external precision are 63K, 0.23dex, and 0.15dex respectively. For the stars with T_eff in the range 3800-4200K, the determinations of T_eff and [Fe/H] have been slightly improved. At higher temperatures, the new interpolator is comparable to the original one. The new version of the interpolator is publicly available.