Test and integration results from SuperCam: a 64-pixel array receiver for the 350 GHz atmospheric window

Christopher Groppi; Christopher Walker; Craig Kulesa; Dathon Golish; Jenna Kloosterman; Sander Weinreb; Glenn Jones; Joseph Bardin; Hamdi Mani; Tom Kuiper; Jacob Kooi; Art Lichtenberger; Thomas Cecil; Patrick Puetz; Gopal Narayanan; Abigail Hedden

doi:10.1117/12.857504

15 July 2010 Test and integration results from SuperCam: a 64-pixel array receiver for the 350 GHz atmospheric window

Christopher Groppi, Christopher Walker, Craig Kulesa, Dathon Golish, Jenna Kloosterman, Sander Weinreb, Glenn Jones, Joseph Bardin, Hamdi Mani, Tom Kuiper, Jacob Kooi, Art Lichtenberger, Thomas Cecil, Patrick Puetz, Gopal Narayanan, Abigail Hedden

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7741, Millimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy V; 77410X (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857504
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We report on both laboratory and telescope integration results from SuperCam, a 64 pixel imaging spectrometer designed for operation in the astrophysically important 870 micron atmospheric window. SuperCam will be used to answer fundamental questions about the physics and chemistry of molecular clouds in the Galaxy and their direct relation to star and planet formation. The SuperCam key project is a fully sampled Galactic plane survey covering over 500 square degrees of the Galaxy in ¹²CO(3-2) and ¹³CO(3-2) with 0.3 km/s velocity resolution In the past, all heterodyne focal plane arrays have been constructed using discrete mixers, arrayed in the focal plane. SuperCam reduces cryogenic and mechanical complexity by integrating multiple mixers and amplifiers into a single array module with a single set of DC and IF connectors. These modules are housed in a closed-cycle cryostat with a 1.5W capacity 4K cooler. The SuperCam instrument is currently undergoing laboratory testing with four of the eight mixer array modules installed in the cryostat (32 pixels). Work is now underway to perform the necessary modifications at the 10m Heinrich Hertz Telescope to accept the SuperCam system. SuperCam will be installed in the cassegrain cabin of the HHT, including the optical system, IF processing, spectrometers and control electronics. SuperCam will be integrated with the HHT during the 2009-2010 observing season with 32 pixels installed. The system will be upgraded to 64 pixels during the summer of 2010 after assembly of the four additional mixer modules is completed.

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Christopher Groppi, Christopher Walker, Craig Kulesa, Dathon Golish, Jenna Kloosterman, Sander Weinreb, Glenn Jones, Joseph Bardin, Hamdi Mani, Tom Kuiper, Jacob Kooi, Art Lichtenberger, Thomas Cecil, Patrick Puetz, Gopal Narayanan, and Abigail Hedden "Test and integration results from SuperCam: a 64-pixel array receiver for the 350 GHz atmospheric window", Proc. SPIE 7741, Millimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy V, 77410X (15 July 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857504

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