arXiv subjects

Peter F. Schloerb

Publications and source records attributed to Peter F. Schloerb.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

FINER: development of the wideband millimeter-wave receiver system and preparations for first light on the Large Millimeter Telescope

The recent discovery of an excess of luminous galaxies in the early Universe necessitates sensitive and wideband millimeter spectroscopy to understand their rapid growth. To address this, we present the development of the Far-Infrared Nebular Emission Receiver (FINER) for the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT). The FINER frontend comprises two receivers covering 120-350 GHz (corresponding to ALMA Bands 4+5 and 6+7). The warm optics are designed to enable simultaneous two-band observations. Combined with the 10.24-GHz-wide digital spectrometer array, the system aims to deliver an instantaneous bandwidth approximately five times wider than current ALMA capabilities. We report that the 210-350 GHz receiver has already achieved commissioning-level performance, with sideband rejection further enhanced by the digital sideband separation technique. With installation expected in 2026, we discuss parallel preparations, including integrated testing and commissioning plans for first-look targets.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

The LMT 2 millimeter receiver system (B4R). II. Science demonstration observations toward Orion-KL/OMC-1

We present the results of mapping and single-point spectral scans toward Orion-KL/OMC-1 performed as science demonstrations of a 2 mm SIS receiver, the Band 4 Receiver (B4R), installed on the 50 m Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT). To prove the capabilities of mapping and spectral scans with the B4R on the LMT, commissioning observations were conducted employing the on-the-fly mapping technique toward Orion-KL/OMC-1, which covers a map size of 5$'\times$5$'$. These mapping observations were performed with two frequency settings providing 10 GHz in total (131.4-133.9 GHz and 145.1-147.6 GHz; 136.2-138.7 GHz and 149.9-152.4 GHz) with a frequency resolution of 76.293 kHz. We conducted spectral line identification analysis for the hot core and compact ridge regions in the Orion-KL with a beam size of 11-12$''$. We detected nearly 400 emission lines and identified two recombination lines and 29 molecular species, including isotopologues, deuterated molecules, and vibrational excited states, despite the short integration time. These results are consistent with those of previous studies. The 29 molecular species include nitrogen (N)-bearing complex organic molecules (COMs) and oxygen (O)-bearing COMs. To demonstrate the capability of the B4R in astrochemistry, we conducted detailed analyses of column densities, rotational temperatures, and relative abundances with respect to H$_2$ on two representative COMs, N-bearing C$_2$H$_5$CN and O-bearing CH$_3$OCHO in the central 40$''\times$40$''$ area of the map. The wide bandwidth of 10 GHz enabled the use of 8 and 34 emission lines, respectively. The spatial differences in the physical and chemical properties between these molecules were derived at a spatial resolution of $\sim$12$''$. The B4R on the LMT was successfully demonstrated to be powerful for mapping and spectral scans and to have high potential for the study of interstellar chemistry.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

The LMT 2 Millimeter Receiver System (B4R). I. Overview and Results of Science Demonstration

We report on the results of the on-sky test and science demonstration conducted with the 2 mm receiver system, B4R, on the 50 m Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT), located at an altitude of 4600 m in Mexico. The B4R receiver was developed based on the dual-polarization sideband-separating mixer technology of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, and is equipped with a fast Fourier transform digital spectrometer, XFFTS. The primary science objective is the spectroscopic redshift identification of high-redshift dusty star-forming galaxies, complementing the existing 3 mm Redshift Search Receiver by enabling the detection of multiple carbon monoxide lines. Additionally, the B4R receiver broadens the range of science cases possible with the LMT, including astrochemistry, as the 2 mm band encompasses unique molecular lines such as deuterated molecules and shock tracers. During on-site commissioning in 2018 and 2019, we successfully demonstrated on-the-fly mapping and position-switching observations toward the Orion Molecular Cloud 1 and bright high-redshift dusty star-forming galaxies, respectively. We confirmed that the installed B4R system largely met its basic performance specifications. Furthermore, we measured the LMT's aperture efficiencies across the entire B4R frequency range (130-160 GHz), finding them to be roughly consistent with expectations based on a surface accuracy of 100 $μ$m and the receiver optics design. These results with the B4R will enable the most sensitive single-dish spectroscopic observations at 2 mm using the LMT.

astro-ph.IM↗