The NRAO in Green Bank has a receiver construction project underway for the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope.
October 2004 - We are in the process of resurrecting work on Module 1. Standby for details.
The project will produce a cryogenic hetrodyne receiver which may be used for continuum, spectral line, or VLBI observations on the GBT. The front-end will operate at the Gregorian focus, and will use cooled HFET amplifiers produced by the NRAO Central Development Labs.
We will build a dual-beam, dual-polarization, hetrodyne, cryogenic receiver covering portions of the 3mm atmospheric window. This will be the first of a family of instruments that will exploit the scientific potential of the GBT in its high frequency range. This first instrument will be built in two modules, and is configured to achieve optimum point-source sensitivity. The first module will cover the 68-95 GHz band, and will be a pseudo-correlation receiver similar to those built for the MAP project. This module will have excellent performance for both continuum and spectral line observations. The second module will be a somewhat simpler total power receiver, and will target spectral line observations in the 90-116 GHz range. Module 1 will be built and installed for use first. Module 2 will be installed in the same cryostat at a later date.
This receiver is expected to be the first of several operating in the 3mm window which will be built for the GBT. Future plans are discussed in the funding proposal.
Funding for the first phase of construction has been approved. The project formally got underway with a Conceptual Design Review, held May 29, 2001. A Preliminary Design Review was held on October 2, 2001.
April 1, 2002 - Update on activity since PDR.
Reports of laboratory component tests, and so forth.
November 2002 - Because of resource conflicts work on this project was essentially halted in the fall of 2002. Most of the purchasing was completed prior to the halt, and we intend to restart the work when resources become available.
April 2004 - Status update memo by Mike Stennes. (With minor updates in October 2004.)
October 2004 - We are in the process of resurrecting work on Module 1. The current construction schedule is available in Current Schedule.
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