MASTER: A Triple Heterodyne Receiver for Astronomy in the Millimetre and Sub-millimetre Domain

E. Battistelli, M. Zannoni, G. Boella, M. Gervasi, A. Passerini, G. Sironi, D. Andreone, L. Brunetti, V. Lacquaniti, S. Maggi, R. Steni, E. Natale and J. R. Thorpe

Abstract

A progress report of the MASTER project is presented here. MASTER is a system of three heterodyne receivers based on SIS (superconductor–insulator–superconductor) tunnel junction mixers. In our instrument these mixers will allow direct down-conversion from 94, 225, and 345 to 1.5 GHz, the IF where the signal will be detected. This instrument, coupled to a 2–4 m telescope like the one proposed for the DOME C base in Antarctica and in conjunction with an Acusto Optical Spectrometer, can be used to detect emission lines associated with molecular clouds in the interstellar medium. The current status of a 94 GHz receiver, the prototype of MASTER, will be presented too. The study of the optical coupling between the receiver and MITO telescope in the Italian Alps will also be described.

Keywords: instrumentation: detectors — ISM: lines and bands — cosmology: cosmic microwave background — submillimetre

Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia 19(3) 323 - 327 (2002) doi:10.1071/AS01073