Submillimeter Wave Bands Research Articles

Analysis of Low Loss and Wideband Characteristics for Lumped Element Isolators Implemented by Using Tunnel Diodes

Tunnel diodes are some of 2-port devices with negative differential resistance (NDR). In this paper, we propose a low insertion loss isolator, which can be designed to operate up to sub-millimeter region, by using resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) and a HEMT. Small-signal analyses are performed to confirm insertion loss and unidirectional characteristics for the proposed active isolator. It is found that unidirectional amplifications as well as isolation characteristics could be expected below sub-millimeter waveband as a result of numerical calculations.

Experimental investigation of liquid crystals in the millimetre frequency range

Dielectric properties of n·CB (n = 5, 6, 7, 8) liquid crystals (LCs) are investigated in the frequency intervals of 50–80, 120–160 GHz, and at 0.6 THz. The measurements are carried out in the millimetre wave range by the resonance method and with use of a reflectometer designed on the basis of a Michelson interferometer and quasi-optical metal-dielectric waveguides. Of most interest are the room temperature measurements of the birefringence of LCs. These measurements show that LCs can be used as polarisation transformers in the short wavelength region of the millimetre wave band and the long wavelength region of the sub-millimetre wave band.

Two-Dimensional Metallic Photonic Crystal with Point Defect Analysis Using Modified Finite-Difference Frequency-Domain Method

We have derived a modified finite-difference frequency-domain (FDFD) algorithm for two-dimensional (2-D) metallic photonic crystal (MPC) analysis. Using this method, the numerical results for the transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM) modes in square and triangular lattices are in excellent agreements with those from other method. Then the correspondence of the band gaps between a unit cell and a supercell is demonstrated. Furthermore, by comparing the field distributions of the defect modes in a point defected MPC and a point defected dielectric photonic crystal (DPC), it is found that the defect MPC has a higher degree of localization, which means that MPC is preponderant for resonator and waveguide applications in millimeter wave and sub-millimeter wave bands.

The capabilities of the calculated approach for the astroclimatic assessment in radioastronomy

The work is dedicated to calculation of daily variability of monthly averaged full vertical at-mospheric absorption for six well-known moun- tain locations of sub-millimeter wave band ra-diotelescopes obtained with usage of chosen by authors models combination. Test locations we- re defined as follows: Chajnantor plateau in the Atacama mountain desert (Chile), Hanle (India), South Pole (Antarctic), Mauna Kea (Hawaii, USA), Sierra Negra (Puebla, Mexico) and El Leoncito (Argentine). The data of these calculations were compared with the data of long term radiometric observations of other authors. Se- arching for new alternative places to complement existing sub-millimeter telescopes locations was attempted too.

LABORATORY DETECTION OF HOCN AND TENTATIVE IDENTIFICATION IN Sgr B2

The rotational spectrum of cyanic acid, HOCN, has been detected in the centimeter-wave band in a molecular beam by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy and in the millimeter-wave band by conventional spectroscopy in a low-pressure laboratory discharge. Spectroscopic constants, including the nitrogen hyperfine coupling constant, derived from 31 a-type transitions between 21 and 360 GHz with J up to 17 and K-a <= 2 allow the spectrum in the only rotational ladders populated in the interstellar gas to be calculated well into the submillimeter-wave band to 1 km s(-1) or better in equivalent radial velocity. Four consecutive transitions of HOCN between 83.9 and 146.8 GHz were tentatively identified in published spectral line surveys of Sgr B2(OH). An approximate column density in Sgr B2(OH) of 6 x 10(12) cm(-2) implies that the HOCN/HNCO ratio is about 0.5%. Because HNCO is widely distributed in the interstellar gas, HOCN may be as well.

Seeing the stolen starlight with Herschel

AbstractThe Herschel Space Observatory is ESA's fourth Cornerstone mission and will be the largest, most sensitive telescope ever put into space. It will be the first space observatory to observe from the far-infrared to the submillimetre waveband, unveiling the cool, hidden universe for the first time. Herschel will observe stars and galaxies at the stage of formation and discover where all the cosmic dust polluting galaxies comes from. Given the huge public interest in large space missions such as Hubble and Spitzer, Herschel is an ideal opportunity to excite and inform the UK public during the International Year of Astronomy 2009. Here we present some of the education and outreach projects created by the Herschel Outreach Group (HOG).

Millimeter- and Submillimeter-Wave Band Receiver on Hot Electrons

Millimeter- and Submillimeter-Wave Band Receiver on Hot Electrons

Laboratory and Astronomical Detection of the Negative Molecular Ion C3N−

The negative molecular ion C3N− has been detected at millimeter wavelengths in a low-pressure laboratory discharge, and then with frequencies derived from the laboratory data in the molecular envelope of IRC+10216. Spectroscopic constants derived from laboratory measurements of 12 transitions between 97 and 378 GHz allow the rotational spectrum to be calculated well into the submillimeter-wave band to 0.03 km s−1 or better in equivalent radial velocity. Four transitions of C3N− were detected in IRC+10216 with the IRAM 30 m telescope at precisely the frequencies calculated from the laboratory measurements. The column density of C3N− is 0.5% that of C3N, or approximately 20 times greater than that of C4H− relative to C4H. The C3N− abundance in IRC+10216 is compared with a chemical model calculation by Petrie & Herbst. An upper limit in TMC-1 for C3N− relative to C3N (<0.8%) and a limit for C4H− relative to C4H (<0.004%) that is 5 times lower than that found in IRC+10216, were obtained from observations with the NRAO 100 m Green Bank Telescope (GBT). The fairly high concentration of C3N− achieved in the laboratory implies that other molecular anions containing the CN group may be within reach.

Human Skin as Arrays of Helical Antennas in the Millimeter and Submillimeter Wave Range

Recent studies of the minute morphology of the skin by optical coherence tomography showed that the sweat ducts in human skin are helically shaped tubes, filled with a conductive aqueous solution. A computer simulation study of these structures in millimeter and submillimeter wave bands show that the human skin functions as an array of low-Q helical antennas. Experimental evidence is presented that the spectral response in the sub-Terahertz region is governed by the level of activity of the perspiration system. It is also correlated to physiological stress as manifested by the pulse rate and the systolic blood pressure.

Development of a multi-Fourier-transform interferometer: imaging experiments in millimeter and submillimeter wave bands

We have developed a millimeter and submillimeter Michelson-type bolometric interferometer based on a Martin-Puplett-type Fourier-transform spectrometer named multi-Fourier-transform interferometer (MuFT). We have succeeded in proving that the MuFT is capable of performing broadband imaging observations as theoretically proposed by our previous paper (OHM) [Appl. Opt. 45, 2576 (2006)]. We succeeded in acquiring the mutual coherence signal for an extended source in broadband. By analyzing the obtained mutual coherence signal following the formula proposed in OHM, 2D source images for each wavenumber from 5 cm(-1) (150 GHz) to 35 cm(-1) (1.05 THz) with a wavenumber interval of 0.4 cm(-1) (12 GHz) were successfully extracted. The large dynamic range advantage of the MuFT proposed in OHM was confirmed experimentally.

An IR and Submillimeter Telescope for Dome C

The Antarctic Plateau provides the best terrestrial astronomical observing conditions across the Mid-InfraRed (MIR) and submillimeter wavebands due to its remarkable atmospheric transparency and stability. The opening of Concordia Station at Dome C is now offering a unique opportunity to the international submm astronomical community to perform ground-breaking astronomical science. To take advantage of these unique conditions, we are proposing the realization of an international Antarctic Submillimeter Observatory (ASO) based on the ALMA antenna prototype, to carry out both continuum and spectral line observations, across the MIR and submm wavebands. The telescope would be able to operate in the MIR using the innermost surface (2-4 m in diameter) of the primary reflector, which would be accurate enough to operate at wavelengths as short as ~5 micron.

SHARC‐2 350 μm Observations of Distant Submillimeter‐selected Galaxies

We present 350 μm observations of 15 Chapman et al. submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) with radio counterparts and optical redshifts. We detect 12 and obtain sensitive upper limits for three, providing direct, precise measurements of their far-infrared luminosities and characteristic dust temperatures. With these, we verify the linear radio-far-infrared correlation at redshifts of z ~ 1-3 and luminosities of 10^(11)-10^(13) L_☉, with a power-law index of 1.02 ± 0.12 and rms scatter of 0.12 dex. However, either the correlation constant q or the dust emissivity index β is lower than measured locally. The best-fitting q ≃2.14 is consistent with SMGs being predominantly starbust galaxies, without significant AGN contribution, at far-infrared wavelengths. Gas-to-dust mass ratios are estimated at 54^(+14)_(-11)(κ_(850μm)/0.15 m^2 kg^(-1)), depending on the absoption efficiency κ_ν, with intrinsic dispersion ≃40% around the mean value. Dust temperatures consistent with 34.6 ± 3 K (1.5/β)^(0.71), at z ~ 1.5-3.5, suggest that far-infrared photometric redshifts may be viable, and perhaps accurate to 10% ≲ dz/(1 + z), for up to 80% of the SMG population in this range, if the above temperature characterizes the full range of SMGs. However, observed temperature evolution of T_d ∝ (1 + z) is also plausible and could result from selection effects. From the observed luminosity-temperature (L-T) relation, L ∝ T^(2.82±0.29)_(obs), we derive scaling relations for dust mass versus dust temperature, and we identify expressions to interrelate the observed quantities. These suggest that measurements at a single wavelength, in the far-infrared, submillimeter, or radio wave bands, might constrain dust temperatures and far-infrared luminosities for most SMGs with redshifts at z ~ 0.5-4.

Strong Lensing on High‐Redshift Galaxies

The observed far greater number of giant arcs than that predicted by the ΛCDM cosmology has been a long-standing puzzle. We adopt high-resolution cosmological simulations to assess this problem and quantitatively show that this issue can be resolved by inclusion of high-redshift source galaxies. Our ΛCDM results reveal a much higher giant-arc probability (>10-5) for source galaxies of z > 2 than that for z < 2. Together with the source redshift distribution derived from the NTT catalogs, we obtain the predicted giant-arc number counts, which turn out to be consistent with most observations. The fact that the high-redshift (z ≥ 1.5) galaxies are preferentially magnified by the foreground lenses with a surprisingly high efficiency explains why previous theoretical work substantially underestimated the giant-arc number density. In previous work, the source galaxies were assumed to be mostly around z = 1, an assumption commonly adopted in weak-lensing studies. In addition, although the lens mergers have been found to yield enhanced lensing cross sections, we find that merely 5% of giant arcs are associated with merging lenses. Our results support not only the ΛCDM cosmology but also the long-standing anticipation that galaxy clusters, mostly formed below z = 1, are powerful gravitational telescopes for probing the high-redshift protogalaxies. We illustrate how the patchy dust regions in interacting galaxies at z = 4 may appear as filamentary structures within a giant arc when observed at the submillimeter wave band.

Low-loss terahertz ribbon waveguides

The submillimeter wave or terahertz (THz) band (1 mm-100 microm) is one of the last unexplored frontiers in the electromagnetic spectrum. A major stumbling block hampering instrument deployment in this frequency regime is the lack of a low-loss guiding structure equivalent to the optical fiber that is so prevalent at the visible wavelengths. The presence of strong inherent vibrational absorption bands in solids and the high skin-depth losses of conductors make the traditional microstripline circuits, conventional dielectric lines, or metallic waveguides, which are common at microwave frequencies, much too lossy to be used in the THz bands. Even the modern surface plasmon polariton waveguides are much too lossy for long-distance transmission in the THz bands. We describe a concept for overcoming this drawback and describe a new family of ultra-low-loss ribbon-based guide structures and matching components for propagating single-mode THz signals. For straight runs this ribbon-based waveguide can provide an attenuation constant that is more than 100 times less than that of a conventional dielectric or metallic waveguide. Problems dealing with efficient coupling of power into and out of the ribbon guide, achieving low-loss bends and branches, and forming THz circuit elements are discussed in detail. One notes that active circuit elements can be integrated directly onto the ribbon structure (when it is made with semiconductor material) and that the absence of metallic structures in the ribbon guide provides the possibility of high-power carrying capability. It thus appears that this ribbon-based dielectric waveguide and associated components can be used as fundamental building blocks for a new generation of ultra-high-speed electronic integrated circuits or THz interconnects.

Rotational spectroscopy and equilibrium structures of S3 and S4

The sulfur molecules thiozone S3 and tetrasulfur S4 have been observed in a supersonic molecular beam in the centimeter-wave band by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy, and in the millimeter- and submillimeter-wave bands in a low-pressure glow discharge. For S3 over 150 rotational transitions between 10 and 458 GHz were measured, and for S4 a comparable number between 6 and 271 GHz. The spectrum of S3 is reproduced to within the measurement uncertainties by an asymmetric top Hamiltonian with three rotational and 12 centrifugal distortion constants; ten distortion constants, but an additional term to account for very small level shifts caused by interchange tunneling, are required to reproduce to comparable accuracy the spectrum of S4. Empirical equilibrium (r(e)(emp)) structures of S3 and S4 were derived from experimental rotational constants of the normal and sulfur-34 species and vibrational corrections from coupled-cluster theory calculations. Quantum chemical calculations show that interchange tunneling occurs because S4 automerizes through a transition state with D2h symmetry which lies about 500 cm(-1) above the two equivalent C2upsilon minima on the potential energy surface.

Spatial demultiplexing in the submillimeter wave band using multilayer free-standing frequency selective surfaces

In this paper, we show that a multilayer freestanding slot array can be designed to give an insertion loss which is significantly lower than the value obtainable from a conventional dielectric backed printed frequency selective surface (FSS). This increase in filter efficiency is highlighted by comparing the performance of two structures designed to provide frequency selective beamsplitting in the quasioptical feed train of a submillimeter wave space borne radiometer. A two layer substrateless FSS providing more than 20 dB of isolation between the bands 316.5-325.5 GHz and 349.5-358.5 GHz, gives an insertion loss of 0.6 dB when the filter is orientated at 45/spl deg/ incidence in the TM plane, whereas the loss exhibited by a conventional printed FSS is in excess of 2 dB. A similar frequency response can be obtained in the TE plane, but here a triple screen structure is required and the conductor loss is shown to be comparable to the absorption loss of a dielectric backed FSS. Experimental devices have been fabricated using a precision micromachining technique. Transmission measurements performed in the range 250-360 GHz are in good agreement with the simulated spectral performance of the individual periodic screens and the two multilayer freestanding FSS structures.

Fabrication and Characterization of Sub-Micron Thin Film Intrinsic Josephson Junction Arrays

We have fabricated intrinsic Josephson junction arrays in thin films of Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O. Such arrays are candidates for applications in the sub-millimeter waveband both by virtue of the large gap energy and due to the existence of inductive and capacitive coupling mechanisms between junctions in the array. Characterization of such junctions is complicated by the fact that the transport properties are dominated by Josephson fluxon flow (for junctions whose dimensions exceed the Josephson penetration depth) and premature switching to the voltage state at bias currents less than the critical current (for junctions whose dimensions are less than the Josephson penetration depth). Here we show that the magnetic-field dependence of the switching current is not Fraunhofer-like, although there is clear minimum corresponding to the point at which a single flux quantum is inserted between the cuprate double-planes. Nevertheless a Fraunhofer-like dependence can be obtained if the critical current is experimentally defined by specifying a low-voltage criterion.

The Rest‐Frame Optical Spectra of SCUBA Galaxies

We present near-infrared spectroscopy and narrowband imaging at the wavelength of redshifted Hα for a sample of 30 high-redshift, far-infrared luminous galaxies. This sample is selected from surveys in the submillimeter, millimeter, and radio wave bands and has complete redshift coverage with a median redshift of z ~ 2.4. We use our data to measure the Hα properties of these systems and to gauge the prevalence of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in these galaxies through their [N II]/Hα ratios and Hα line widths. Removing obvious AGNs, we find that the predicted Hα star formation rates in this diverse population are suppressed (by a factor of ~10) compared to those derived from their far-infrared luminosities. Using the AGN indicators provided by our near-infrared spectra, we estimate that AGNs are present in at least 40% of the galaxies in our sample. To further investigate this, we construct a composite rest-frame spectrum for both the entire sample and those galaxies that individually show no signs of nuclear activity. We find [N II]/Hα ratios for both composite spectra that suggest that the energy output of the galaxies is star formation rather than AGN dominated. However, we also find that the Hα line in the composite non-AGN spectrum is best fitted with an underlying broad-line component with a narrow/broad flux ratio of 0.45 ± 0.20. The median Hα line width for our sample (removing obvious AGNs) is 400 ± 70 km s-1 (FWHM), and the typical spatial extent of the Hα emission in our narrowband observations is ≲4-8 kpc, which indicates a dynamical mass of (1-2) × 1011 M☉ with corresponding dynamical times of 10-20 Myr. Using both high-resolution imaging and spectroscopically identified velocity offsets, we find that seven of the far-infrared luminous galaxies have companions, suggesting that they are undergoing interactions/mergers, and from their relative velocities we can determine a dynamical mass of (1.5 ± 0.9) × 1011 M☉. These measurements are comparable to millimeter CO estimates for the dynamical masses of these systems on similar scales and larger than recent estimates of the dynamical masses of UV-selected galaxies at similar redshifts derived in an identical manner. Using the [N II]/Hα index to predict abundances, we investigate the luminosity-metallicity relation for these galaxies and find that many have metallicities consistent with UV-selected high-redshift galaxies and slightly lower than local luminous infrared and elliptical galaxies (although we caution that our metallicity estimates have possible systematic uncertainties). We also compared our Hα and far-infrared luminosities with deep Chandra observations of a subset of our survey fields and use these data to further assess their AGN content. We conclude that these high-redshift, far-infrared luminous galaxies represent a population of massive, metal-rich, merging systems with high instantaneous star formation rates, strong dust obscuration, and actively fueled AGNs that are likely to be the progenitors of massive local elliptical galaxies.

A Population of Hot, Dusty Ultraluminous Galaxies atz≈ 2

We report spectroscopic redshifts for 18 μJy radio galaxies at a mean redshift of z = 2.2 that are faint at both submillimeter and optical wavelengths. While the radio fluxes of these galaxies could indicate far-IR luminosities comparable to high-redshift submillimeter-selected galaxies (1012 L☉), none are detected in the submillimeter. We propose that this new population of galaxies represents an extension of the high-redshift submillimeter galaxy population but with hotter characteristic dust temperatures that shift the peak of their far-IR emission to shorter wavelengths, reducing the submillimeter flux below the sensitivity of current instruments. Therefore, surveys in the submillimeter waveband may miss up to half of the most luminous, dusty galaxies at z ≈ 2. Mid-infrared observations with the Spitzer Space Telescope will be a powerful tool to test this hypothesis.

A Polarization Waveguide Band-Stop Filter for Millimeter-Wave and Submillimeter-Wave Bands

The use of waveguide band-stop filters allows to ensure, with maximum efficiency, a single-sideband operation of high-sensitivity cooled detector. But the shorter is the operating wavelength, the more difficult is the realization of the waveguide filters. In the present paper, the possibility is considered of the creation of waveguide-type polarization filter based on two polarization reflectors turned with respect to each other. It is suggested to use waveguide transitions from rectangular to circular cross-section as polarization reflectors. The relative simplicity of the filter allows to expect that it will be of wide use in millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave bands.