National Research Council Canada scientists produce world's most sensitive radio detectors to probe the Universe (Forwarded)

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National Research Council Canada

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NRC Herzberg Institute for Astrophysics
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For immediate release: April 20, 2007

NRC scientists produce world's most sensitive radio detectors to probe the
Universe

Victoria, BC -- The National Research Council of Canada has designed and
built the most sensitive and precise radio detector ever built for
millimetre-wavelength operation. Called "Band 3" millimetre-wavelength radio
receivers, these devices promise to revolutionize studies of the cold
Universe, notably about the birth of stars and planets.

Created at the National Research Council Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
(NRC-HIA), the Band 3 receiver systems will be installed on the world's
largest and most sophisticated radio telescope the Atacama Large Millimetre
Array, known as ALMA being built in the Chilean Andes.[*] A receiver will be
installed on each ALMA antenna for research purposes but will also ensure
that atmospheric disturbances are corrected across the entire ALMA array.
ALMA is the highest priority for a new ground-based astronomical facility in
the Long Range Plan for Canadian Astrophysics. The first scientific results
should be available in about three years. Researchers expect spectacular
images of young stars and galaxies to be made using the Band 3 receivers.

Gregory Fahlman, Director General of NRC-HIA, comments: "The international
ALMA community has placed a great deal of faith in NRC's ability to deliver
stable, reliable receivers. I am very proud that we have designed and built
the highly precise electronic and mechanical components necessary for
reliable operation under extreme conditions."

Band 3 operates at a temperature of -269 C (the temperature of the internal
system necessary to suppress noise) and to withstand the harsh external
environment on the Andes in Chile . Fred Lo, Director of the US National
Radio Astronomy Observatory, stated "Band 3 will be a leading workhorse for
producing the exciting scientific discoveries we expect from ALMA."

The Band 3 receiver can also be used in other applications. The design has
been licensed to Nanowave Technologies of Ontario. Units have already been
sold to the French atomic energy agency for use in advanced materials
research.

"In addition to creating what we believe is a unique Canadian industrial
capability to serve the needs of the worldwide Radio Astronomy and Physics
communities, the transferred technology provides Nanowave with the
additional tools to access the much larger commercial and defence radar and
satellite communications markets," comments Justin Miller, President of
Nanowave Technologies.

"We're very excited about the outstanding performance of the Band 3
receiver. It's the most sensitive receiver ever produced for this wavelength
range, and clearly marks NRC as a leader on the technological frontier,"
said Adrian Russell, ALMA's North American Project Manager. "We deeply
appreciate the dedicated efforts of the Canadian team that produced this
receiver," Russell added.

Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada 's National Research
Council is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based
economy for Canada through science and technology.
[*] ALMA is a unified collection of more than fifty high-precision radio
dishes, 5 kilometres above sea level on the Chajnantor plain, which will be
used by an international consortium for radio astronomy.

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For detailed information, pictures and interviews, please visit NRC-HIA web
site at
http://www.hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/me...7-04-20_e.html