Heterodyne receiver for the submillimeter wavelength region based on cyclotron resonance in InSb at low temperatures

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · Int. J. Infrared Millimeter Waves; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01019856· OSTI ID:6113978

Brown, E R; Keene, J; Phillips, T G

A heterodyne receiver has been developed for observation of interstellar atomic and molecular lines in the submillimeter wavelength region. The main detection mechanism of the device is cyclotron resonance in bulk n-InSb due to a quantized magnetic field. Measurements were carried out between 492 and 812 GHz in order to determine the sensitivity of the device for astrophysical applications. Double sideband receiver noise temperatures of 250 K at 492 GHz; 350 K at 625 GHz; and 510 K at 812 GHz were obtained. The magnetic induction for the laboratory tests was about 2.5 KG and the mixer operating temperature was about 1.6 K. It is shown that the receiver is sensitive enough to identify the narrow rotation lines of diatomic hydrides in dark-cloud regions of the interstellar medium. 30 references.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
• OSTI ID: 6113978
• Journal Information: Int. J. Infrared Millimeter Waves; (United States), Vol. 6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
HETERODYNE RECEIVERS
SENSITIVITY
ANTIMONY ALLOYS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CYCLOTRON RESONANCE
GHZ RANGE 100-1000
INDIUM ALLOYS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
LOW TEMPERATURE
ALLOYS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FREQUENCY RANGE
GHZ RANGE
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
PNICTIDES
RADIO EQUIPMENT
RESONANCE
SPACE
440300* - Miscellaneous Instruments- (-1989)
640100 - Astrophysics & Cosmology