ALMA Band 9 sideband separation, and dual-frequency operation of Bands 6 and 9

The Millimeter-wave Laboratory (MWL) is collaborating with SRON (The Netherlands) to improve the performance of sideband-separating receivers above 600 GHz. The MWL started providing SRON with several micro-machined components that were used for testing and as parts of functional receivers. More recently the MWL is studying the potential for performing dual observations combining Bands 6 and 9 of ALMA. The study will allow to (i) perform multi-frequency solar studies that are not hindered by the lag that exists when receivers at different frequency bands are used and (ii) accurate atmospheric calibration for Band 9 in long baselines. This time the MWL is implementing an optical system that will allow such measurements.

More Info: Band 9 and FPGA Integration schematic.pdf