Enabling High Frequency Device Characterisation

Radio receivers which operate at wavelengths around 1 millimetre are essential for the study of the cold gas and dust out of which stars form. To minimise the noise of the receivers, they operate at cryogenic temperatures. This project will allow the purchase of laboratory equipment to test new and improved designs of the key components of these receivers. These new devices will improve the performance of receivers, making observations with telescope much more efficient.

The equipment requested here will enable the development of improved low noise amplifiers and other devices operating at frequencies up to 260 GHz and beyond. These will be used in the development improved receiver systems for radio telescopes, benefiting the UK and global astronomical community. This work will also benefit commercial manufacturers of devices by allowing us to work with them to characterise their devices and processes, helping them improve their design and production processes. The use of these test facility by students and PDRAs will help train them in the experimental techniques essential for developing and exploiting high frequency devices both in academia and industry. This also true for our collaborators in our range of Newton and GCRF collaborations where we are assisting in the training from experimentalists and engineers in a range of high precision techniques at THz frequencies, helping their countries to develop technological background in these areas which can form the basis for significant economic advancement.