Submillimeter Astronomy

SPIFI


The First Submillimeter Direct Detection Imaging Spectrometer!
  • 5 x 5 Array of Bolometers at 60 mK in Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR)
  • Superconducting coile aligns the magnetic domains in a paramagnetic salt
  • ADR is taken adiabatically from an ordered to disordered state of magnetic spins which reults in lower T




    

Fabry-Perots
  • Resonant cavity formed by two highly reflecting mirrors
  • Resonant condition met when n*λ/2 = d
  • Tuned by changing d
  • Filtered by using two in series



Design
  • Designed for:
    • 15 m James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) on Mauna Kea
      • Beam size ~ 7"
      • Field of view 35 x 35"

    • 1.7 m AST/RO telescope at the South Pole
      • Beam size ~ 55"
      • Field of view 300 x 300"




SPIFI Image Gallery