The European Southern Observatory has received a significant technological upgrade with the introduction of the world’s lowest-noise amplifiers, developed through a collaboration between the Fraunhofer Institute and the Max Planck Society. These advanced devices will enhance the capabilities of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), a powerful network of 66 radio telescopes located on the Chajnantor Plateau in the Chilean Andes.
ALMA’s ability to observe faint astronomical signals, such as dust disks in young star systems and complex molecules, relies heavily on sophisticated technology to amplify these signals for scientific analysis. The new amplifiers, which operate at frequencies between 67 and 116 gigahertz (GHz), feature a remarkable average noise temperature of just 22 Kelvin, a benchmark that is currently unmatched globally.
Revolutionizing Radio Astronomy
The development was spearheaded by engineers at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR) in Bonn and the Fraunhofer IAF in Freiburg, who have refined the design of the receivers that detect crucial radio waves. According to Fabian Thome, head of the subproject at Fraunhofer IAF, the performance of these receivers is largely contingent upon the quality of the initial high-frequency amplifiers. With the new low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), signals can be amplified over 300 times in the initial amplification stage.
During a presentation organized by the “Hightech Agenda Deutschland,” Michael Kramer, executive director of MPIfR, showcased the low-noise amplifiers to Dorothee Bär, the Research Minister. This event highlighted the collaborative achievements of the two institutes and their commitment to advancing radio astronomy.
Future Prospects for ALMA
The LNAs are at the forefront of a new phase for ALMA, which is preparing for the next generation of receivers expected to be operational in the 2030s. These forthcoming devices will provide greater bandwidth and increased sensitivity, enhancing ALMA’s ability to probe the universe.
“This collaboration signifies that our amplifiers are not only ‘made in Germany’ but also the best in the world,” remarked Michael Kramer. The European Southern Observatory, which operates ALMA in conjunction with various international partners, tasked MPIfR and Fraunhofer IAF with the joint development of these amplifiers.
The collaboration has flourished over the past two decades, allowing both research institutes to cultivate the expertise necessary to establish themselves as independent sources for this technology, reducing reliance on non-European suppliers. The exceptional performance of these LNAs places them in a unique position within the global market, making them freely available across Europe.
As ALMA continues to explore and unveil the secrets of the universe, the introduction of these advanced amplifiers represents a crucial step forward in the field of radio astronomy, promising to deepen scientific understanding in the years ahead.
