Skip to main content
Log in

An experimental submillimetre heterodyne array receiver

  • Published:
International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

We describe an experimental array receiver intended for radioastronomical observations of the J=3→2 line of carbon monoxide. It consists of six indium antimonide mixers cooled to ∼2K in a pumped helium cryostat, with rectangular feed horns arranged on a 3×2 grid at the f/9 focus of the UK Infrared Telescope (UKIRT). Each detector is mounted in a length of fundamental mode waveguide and has an independently tunable backshort. Local oscillator power is provided by a frequency tripler pumped by a klystron, and is coupled to the array via a “lossless” quasi-optical coupler which is described in detail. The beam patterns and performance of the coupler have been measured and are in good agreement with theory.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J.A.Murphy & R.Padman, “Sampling, Sensitivity and field of view for single element radiotelescopes”, in preparation.

  2. J.F.Johansson, K.S.Yngvesson & E.L.Kollberg, “Model experiments with slot antenna arrays for imaging”,Instrumentation for Submillimeter Spectroscopy, ed. E.Kollberg. Proc.SPIE 598, pp118–125(1986)

  3. R.Tang & R.W.Burns, “Phased Arrays”, Ch.20 ofAntenna Engineering Handbook (2nd Ed), eds R.C.Johnson & H.Jasik, McGraw-Hill(1980)

  4. M.Ryle & A.Hewish, “The synthesis of large radiotelescopes,” Monthly Not. Roy. Astr. Soc., vol. 120, pp220–230, 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  5. D.B.Rutledge, D.P.Neikirk & D.P.Kasilingam, “Integrated-circuit antennas”, Ch.1 ofInfrared and Millimeter Waves, Vol. 10, ed. K.Button, Academic Press(1983).

  6. M.J.Wengler, D.P.Woody, R.E.Miller & T.G.Phillips, “A low noise receiver for millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths,” Int. J. IR & Mm Waves, vol. 6, 697, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  7. K.S.Yngvesson, D.H.Schaubert, T.L.Korzeniowski, E.L.Kollberg, T.Thungren & J.F.Johansson, “Endfire tapered slot antennas on dielectric substrates,” IEEE Trans. Antennas Propagat., AP-33, pp1392–1400, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  8. K.S.Yngvesson, “Imaging front-end systems for millimeter and submillimeter waves”,Instrumentation for Submillimeter Spectroscopy, ed. E.Kollberg, Proc.SPIE 598, pp118–125, 1986

  9. R. Padman, “Applications of multimode Gaussian optics”,Proc. European Quasi-optical Workshop (IEEE MTT-Chapter of W.Germany), Bonn, May, 1987.

  10. R.J.Wylde, “Millimetre-wave Gaussian beam-mode optics and corrugated feed horns”, Proc. IEE, vol-133, Pt.H, pp258–262, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  11. A.R.Gillespie and T.G.Phillips, “Array detectors for millimeter line astronomy”, Astron. Astrophys., vol. 73,pp14–18, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  12. T.B.Vu and Q.H.Vu, “Optimum feed for radiotelescopes: experimental results,” Electron. Lett., vol.6, pp159–160, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  13. D.K.Waineo, “Lens design for arbitrary aperture illumination”, IEEE Antennas Propagat. Soc. Symposium, pp476–479, 1976.

  14. J.A.Murphy, “Distortion of a simple Gaussian beam on reflection from off-axis ellipsoidal mirrors,” Int. J. IR & Mm Waves, vol.8, 1165, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  15. F.Arams, C.Allen, P.Peyton and E.Sand, “Millimeter mixing and detection in bulk InSb,” Proc. IEEE, vol.54, 612–622 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  16. H. Kogelnik and T. Li, “Laser Beams and Resonators”, Proc. IEEE, vol.54, 1312 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Murphy, J.A., Padman, R. & Hills, R.E. An experimental submillimetre heterodyne array receiver. Int J Infrared Milli Waves 9, 325–350 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01013392

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01013392

Keywords

Navigation