arXiv subjects

Cornelia E. Honingh

Publications and source records attributed to Cornelia E. Honingh.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

4GREAT -- a four-color receiver for high-resolution airborne terahertz spectroscopy

4GREAT is an extension of the German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz frequencies (GREAT) operated aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The spectrometer comprises four different detector bands and their associated subsystems for simultaneous and fully independent science operation. All detector beams are co-aligned on the sky. The frequency bands of 4GREAT cover 491-635, 890-1090, 1240-1525 and 2490-2590 GHz, respectively. This paper presents the design and characterization of the instrument, and its in-flight performance. 4GREAT saw first light in June 2018, and has been offered to the interested SOFIA communities starting with observing cycle 6.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

New laboratory techniques using heterodyne receivers

Two laboratory emission spectrometers have been designed and described previously. Here, we present a follow-up study with special focus on absolute intensity calibration of the new SURFER-spectrometer (SUbmillimeter Receiver For Emission spectroscopy of Rotational transitions), operational between 300 and 400~GHz and mostly coincident with ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) Band 7. Furthermore, we present a feasibility study to extend the detection frequencies up to 2~THz. First results have been obtained using the SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for IR Astronomy) upGREAT laboratory setup at the University of Cologne. Pure rotational spectra of the complex molecule vinyl cyanide have been obtained and are used to give an estimate on the sensitivity to record ro-vibrational transitions of molecules with astrophysical importance at 2~THz.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2015

First supra-THz Heterodyne Array Receivers for Astronomy with the SOFIA Observatory

We present the upGREAT THz heterodyne arrays for far-infrared astronomy. The Low Frequency Array (LFA) is designed to cover the 1.9-2.5 THz range using 2x7-pixel waveguide-based HEB mixer arrays in a dual polarization configuration. The High Frequency Array (HFA) will perform observations of the [OI] line at ~4.745 THz using a 7-pixel waveguide-based HEB mixer array. This paper describes the common design for both arrays, cooled to 4.5 K using closed- cycle pulse tube technology. We then show the laboratory and telescope characterization of the first array with its 14 pixels (LFA), which culminated in the successful commissioning in May 2015 aboard the SOFIA airborne observatory observing the [CII] fine structure transition at 1.905 THz. This is the first successful demonstration of astronomical observations with a heterodyne focal plane array above 1 THz and is also the first time high- power closed-cycle coolers for temperatures below 4.5 K are operated on an airborne platform.

astro-ph.IM↗