NRC develops precise radio detector for ALMA

The National Research Council's Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics has designed and built a radio detector for millimeter-wavelength uses that's being hailed as the most sensitive and precise of its type in the world. Called Band 3, the radio receiver system is intended for use in the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope being built in Chile. Its design has already been licensed to Nanowave Technologies Inc, Etobicoke ON. The privately owned firm says the transferred technology will enhance its penetration of larger commercial and defence markets for radar and satellite communications devices. For the ALMA telescope, the receiver is designed to operate under extreme conditions. It will be attached to each antenna and will ensure that atmospheric disturbances are corrected across the entire array. The first scientific results from ALMA are due in about three years. Located five km above sea level, it will be used by an international consortium for radio astronomy that includes Canada….