Optimization of Low-Noise Amplifiers for Cryogenic Performance for Radio Astronomy

该项目旨在改变对低噪声放大器的理解，并生产新一代此类器件。低噪声放大器是射电天文学的一项关键技术，它们也有其他实际应用。该项目包括一个综合的理论和实验方法，旨在提高对这些设备的理解和性能，并为天文学部署新设备。美国在射电天文学、量子计算和先进雷达系统方面的持续领导地位取决于这些进展。射电天文学（如最近的黑洞成像）解决了人类了解宇宙的基本需求。量子计算将提供更高的网络安全性，先进的雷达系统有助于确保国防安全。该项目将开发一个基于理论固态物理的磷化铟（InP）高电子迁移率晶体管（HEMT）的噪声源的描述，并使用它来优化低噪声放大器的低温性能。为了进行这项工作的实验方面，将开发和使用一种新的测试和测量设施，即自动低温探测站。该项目生产的芯片组将促进正在进行的和未来的新仪器和设施的制造，如下一代甚大阵列（ngVLA）和绿色银行望远镜的无线电相机。这些新的设施将在银河系和附近星系的大规模光谱测绘领域实现变革性科学;通过测量高度红移的一氧化碳（CO）来研究第一批星系;该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的评估来支持。影响审查标准。

This project seeks to transform the understanding of low noise amplifiers and produce a new generation of such devices. Low noise amplifiers are a critical technology for radio astronomy, and they also have other practical applications. This project consists of a combined theoretical and experimental approach toward improving the understanding and performance of these devices and deploying new devices for astronomy. Continued US leadership in radio astronomy as well as quantum computing and advanced radar systems depends on such progress. Radio astronomy (such as the recent imaging of a black hole) addresses a basic human need to understand the universe. Quantum computing will provide increased cyber-security, and advanced radar systems help secure the national defense. This project will develop a theoretical solid-state physics-based description of the sources of noise in indium phosphide (InP) high electron-mobility transistors (HEMT) and use it to optimize the cryogenic performance of low noise amplifiers. In order to perform the experimental aspect of this work, a new test and measurement facility, an automated cryogenic probe station, will be developed and used. The chip sets produced by this project will facilitate the ongoing, and future, fabrication of new instruments and facilities such as the next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) and radio cameras for the Green Bank Telescope. These new facilities will enable transformative science in the areas of large-scale spectroscopic mapping of the Milky Way and nearby galaxies; studying the first galaxies via measurements of highly-redshifted carbon-monoxide (CO); and unveiling the formation of solar system analogs on terrestrial scales.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.