Performance Of The Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT) X. The First Submillimeter Phased Array

B. L. Ulich; C. J. Lada; N. R. Erickson; P. F. Goldsmith; G. R. Huguenin

doi:10.1117/12.933506

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4 November 1982 Performance Of The Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT) X. The First Submillimeter Phased Array

B. L. Ulich, C. J. Lada, N. R. Erickson, P. F. Goldsmith, G. R. Huguenin

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Proceedings Volume 0332, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes I; (1982) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.933506
Event: 1982 Astronomy Conferences, 1982, Tucson, United States

Abstract

The Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT) has been used for the first time to make astronomical observations as a coherent phased array at sub-millimeter wavelengths. The success of the initial experiment indicates that the precipitable water vapor over Mt. Hopkins is sufficiently low to permit routine operation at 870 μm wavelength and frequent operation at 450 μm and 350 μm wavelength. The six telescopes of the MMT were initially phased to an accuracy of λ/30 at λ = 870 μm and remained phased to that accuracy over a four day period and over a wide range of elevation angle. The measured beam pattern of the telescope matches diffraction theory, and the width of the main lobe is 26 arc seconds. A coherent super-heterodyne receiver and a novel beamcombiner were used to make spectral line maps of the J = 3-2 line of CO. The combination of large collecting area, high angular resolution, and good atmospheric transmission makes the MMT superior to other existing telescopes for both continuum and spectral line astronomy at sub-millimeter wavelengths.

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B. L. Ulich, C. J. Lada, N. R. Erickson, P. F. Goldsmith, and G. R. Huguenin "Performance Of The Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT) X. The First Submillimeter Phased Array", Proc. SPIE 0332, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes I, (4 November 1982); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.933506

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