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| Paper: |
The Receiver System--mm Regime |
| Volume: |
278, NAIC-NRAO School on Single-dish Radio Astronomy: Techniques and Applications |
| Page: |
99 |
| Authors: |
Payne, John M. |
| Abstract: |
The millimeter-wavelength radio astronomy band is now generally taken to include frequencies from approximately 60 GHz to around 300 GHz, while the so-called sub-mm band extends this up to frequencies of around 1000 GHz (1 THz). Unlike centimeter-wave ground-based radio astronomy, the mm/sub-mm frequency range is limited by the properties of the atmosphere, which is briefly described. The difficulties of constructing highly sensitive receivers for these high frequencies are described along with the commonly adopted solutions. Particular emphasis is given to modern receivers such as those for the ALMA interferometric array now being planned for installation on a 5,000-meter-altitude site in the Atacama desert in Chile. These receivers use superconducting devices which require temperatures of around 4 K to operate satisfactorily. Brief descriptions of the various sub-systems needed to construct such a receiver will be given. |
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