Techniques for Next Generation Terahertz Telescopes and Telecommunications Systems

Abstract

In recent years heterodyne terahertz observations have gone from fringe research experiments to becoming a pillar of mainstream of astronomy. However, even as the underlying receiver technology has undergone rapid development, the challenge of how to best overcome the absorptive effects of the Earth’s atmosphere remains. In this dissertation, I will discuss efforts that I have contributed to over the past decade that seek to address this challenge, including finding the best location on Earth for observations from the ground; and working to develop a next generation technique for building giant inflatable dishes for telescopes in the stratosphere and space. Lastly, I present work on applying our balloon telescope concept towards enabling low weight, highly compactable, high-gain telecommunications dishes for mobile applications.