First Supra-THz Heterodyne Array Receivers for Astronomy With the SOFIA Observatory
First Supra-THz Heterodyne Array Receivers for Astronomy With the SOFIA Observatory
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DOI：
10.1109/tthz.2015.2508005
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发表时间：
2016-03-01
影响因子：
3.2
通讯作者：
Rosner, Stefan
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Risacher, Christophe;Guesten, Rolf;Rosner, Stefan
本文介绍了用于远红外天文学的超太赫兹外差阵列。低频阵列（LFA）的设计覆盖1.9-2.5太赫兹范围内使用2个7像素的波导为基础的HEB混频器阵列在双偏振配置。高频阵列（HFA）将使用7像素基于波导的HEB混频器阵列在4.745 THz下对[OI]线进行观测。本文介绍了这两个阵列的共同设计，冷却到4.5 K，使用闭环脉冲管技术。然后，我们展示了第一个具有14个像素（LFA）的阵列的实验室和望远镜表征，最终于2015年5月在索菲亚机载天文台上成功调试，观察到1.9005 THz的[CII]精细结构转变。这是天文观测的第一次成功演示，外差焦平面阵列超过1太赫兹，也是第一次在机载平台上运行温度低于4.5 K的高功率闭合循环冷却器。
We present the upGREAT THz heterodyne arrays for far-infrared astronomy. The low-frequency array (LFA) is designed to cover the 1.9-2.5 THz range using 2 7-pixel wave-guide-based HEB mixer arrays in a dual polarization configuration. The high-frequency array (HFA) will perform observations of the [OI] line at 4.745 THz using a 7-pixel waveguide-based HEB mixer array. This paper describes the common design for both arrays, cooled to 4.5 K using closed-cycle pulse tube technology. We then show the laboratory and telescope characterization of the first array with its 14 pixels (LFA), which culminated in the successful commissioning in May 2015 aboard the SOFIA airborne observatory observing the [CII] fine structure transition at 1.9005 THz. This is the first successful demonstration of astronomical observations with a heterodyne focal plane array above 1 THz and is also the first time high-power closed-cycle coolers for temperatures below 4.5 K are operated on an airborne platform.