Cryogenic design of KOSMA's SOFIA terahertz array receiver (STAR)

David Rabanus; Urs U. Graf; Martin Philipp; Jurgen Stutzki; Armin Wagner-Gentner

doi:10.1117/12.551311

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8 October 2004 Cryogenic design of KOSMA's SOFIA Terahertz Array Receiver (STAR)

David Rabanus, Urs U. Graf, Martin Philipp, Jurgen Stutzki, Armin Wagner-Gentner

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Proceedings Volume 5498, Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors for Astronomy II; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.551311
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

We present the opto-mechanical layout of KOSMA's (Kolner Observatorium fur SubMillimeter Astronomie) submillimeter and terahertz heterodyne array receiver STAR (SOFIA Terahertz Array Receiver) which is derived from SMART (Sub-Millimeter Array Receiver for Two frequencies). To reduce the alignment effort, SMART, for the first time, uses an integrated optics concept with no adjustable optical components inside the receiver dewar. For STAR this successful design concept will be extended and adapted for 1.9 THz and for use aboard SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy). The design of STAR's cryostat and cryogenic optics is described. Emphasis is laid on the required accuracy for 4x4 spatially multiplexed Terahertz heterodyne receivers. The proposed design of the local oscillator, a frequency-tripled BWO (Backward Wave Oscillator), is outlined. The presentation comprises the scheme for multiplexing the local oscillator, dense arrangement of mixer elements in a cryogenic focal plane and manufacturing techniques of integrated optics units for reduction of optical adjustment efforts in astronomical submillimeter and terahertz receivers.

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David Rabanus, Urs U. Graf, Martin Philipp, Jurgen Stutzki, and Armin Wagner-Gentner "Cryogenic design of KOSMA's SOFIA Terahertz Array Receiver (STAR)", Proc. SPIE 5498, Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors for Astronomy II, (8 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.551311

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