Development and Construction of the Cosmic Background Imager

9413935读头 该项目支持开发和建造一个研究仪器-宇宙背景成像仪，以研究2“-20”角尺度上的宇宙微波背景辐射，灵敏度为Trms/T = 2 x 10-6。 CBI是工作在28 GHz - 36 GHz的四元件干涉仪。 每个单元具有三个主反射器的补充，其尺寸为0.75米、1.5米和3米，将根据待成像的角标度来选择。 该仪器在一个16 m x 16 m的“光具座”上运行，元件可以放置在各种配置中。 中频和本地振荡器信号通过光纤分配。 CBI将制作宇宙微波背景辐射的图像，从而能够确定2x 1012太阳质量至2x 1015太阳质量尺度上的质量波动谱。 这将为宇宙结构的形成理论提供基础，并可能在非常早期的宇宙中的量子波动和已知的最大结构之间提供联系。 此外，CBI将能够观测星系团中的Sunyaev-Zel'dovich效应，并将使我们能够在与高分辨率X射线观测结合使用时对星系团中的热气体进行详细研究。 CBI也将成为研究弥漫星系前景发射的工具。 ***

9413935 Readhead This project supports the development and construction of a research instrument -- the Cosmic Background Imager (CBI) -- to study the cosmic microwave background radiation on angular scales from 2'-20' with sensitivity Trms/T = 2 x 10-6. The CBI is a four element interferometer operating at 28 GHz - 36 GHz. Each element has a complement of three primary reflectors, of sizes 0.75 m, 1.5 m and 3 m, which will be selected according to the angular scale to be imaged. The instrument operates on a 16 m x 16 m "optical bench" on which the elements can be placed in a wide variety of configurations. The intermediate frequency and local oscillator signals are distributed via optical fibres. The CBI will make images of the cosmic microwave background radiation and hence enable determination of the spectrum of mass fluctuations on scales of 2 x 1012 solar mass to 2 x 1015 solar mass. This will provide foundation for theories of the formation of structure in the universe, and could provide a link between quantum fluctuations in the very early universe and the largest structures known. In addition, the CBI will be capable of making observations of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect in clusters of galaxies, and will allow us to carry out detailed studies of the hot gas in clusters when used in combination with high resolution X-ray observations. The CBI will also be a tool for the study of diffuse galactic foreground emission. ***