Quasioptical Systems & Components for Terahertz Astronomy

Abstract

Over the past two decades, submillimeter and terahertz astronomy has grown rapidly and become an important new window for studying the universe. This growth has been enabled by the confluence of several technologies which make the design and fabrication of high frequency single and multi-pixel heterodyne receivers possible. This dissertation reviews the development of a new generation of terahertz instrumentation at the University of Arizona, with specific emphasis on their optical components and systems. These instruments include several receivers for the Antarctic Submillimeter Telescope and Remote Observatory (formerly installed at the South Pole), including a dual-frequency 492/810 GHz receiver called Wanda, a 4-pixel 810 GHz heterodyne array called PoleSTAR, and a 1.5 THz receiver called TREND. It also covers receivers for the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope on Mt. Graham in southern Arizona. These receivers include a 7-pixel 345 GHz heterodyne array called DesertSTAR, a 64-pixel polarimeter/bolometer system called Hertz, and a 64-pixel 345 GHz heterodyne array called SuperCam. After reviewing these instruments, concepts for the next generation of arrays and terahertz telescopes designed for the high Atacama desert, Antarctica, high altitude balloon missions, and orbiting observatories will be presented. This dissertation will also cover other contributions made to terahertz astronomy, including the creation of a Gaussian beam propagation program to help design terahertz optical systems and an integrated optics design for a waveguide interferometer to be used as an alternative to traditional bulk optics systems.