Search for the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect at millimeter wavelengths

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184080· OSTI ID:5512614

Meyer, S S; Jeffries, A D; Weiss, R

We report an initial result in a program to measure the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect at frequencies from 3 to 10 cm/sup -1/. The unique spectral characteristics of the effect and the small flux from contaminating astrophysical sources make the millimeter spectral region very attractive for this measurement. We show that the effect of atmospheric fluctuations can be greatly reduced by making multi-freuency measurements. Our measurement of the Zel'dovich effect in Abell 1795 results in a limit on the Comptonization parameter ..delta..y = (-0.4 +- 1.7) x 10/sup -4/ which corresponds to a ..delta..T/sub RJ/ = 0.2 +- 0.9 mK when referred to a change of brightness temperature in the Rayleigh-Jeans limit. These results are not corrected fo the geometrical form factor which depends strongly on models of the cluster plasma.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• OSTI ID: 5512614
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 271:1; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640101* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmic Radiation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
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BACKGROUND RADIATION
COSMIC RADIATION
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INFRARED SPECTRA
IONIZING RADIATIONS
PLASMA
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA