For decades scientists have observed the cosmos with radio antennas to visualize the dark distant regions of the Universe.
This consist of the gas and dust of the interstellar medium ISM planet forming disks and objects that cannot be observed in visible light.
In this field the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array ALMA in Chile stands out as one of world powerful radio telescopes.
Using its 66 parabolic antennas, ALMA observes the millimeter and submillimeter radiation emitted by cold molecular clouds from which new stars are born.
Each antenna is equipped with high frequency receivers for ten wavelength ranges 35-50 GHZ and 787-950 GHZ known as Band 1.
Thanks to Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy MPIFR, ALMA has received upgrade with addition of 145 new low noise amplifiers LNAs.
These amplifiers are part of facilities Band 2 coverage ranging from 67 to 116 GHz on the electromagnetic spectrum.
This coverage will allow researchers to study and gain better understanding of Universe.
They hope to gain new insights into cold interstellar medium the dust, gas radiation and magnetic fields from which stars are born.
Scientist will be able to study planet forming disk in better detail.
But certainly not least they will be able to study complex organic molecules COM in nearby galaxies which considered precursors to building blocks of life DNA, RNA.
These studies will allow astronomers and cosmologists to witness how stars and planetary systems form and evolve and how presence of organic molecules can lead to emergence of life.
Each LNA consist of a series of monolithic microwave integrated circuits MMICs developed by Frauhofer IAF using the semiconducting material indium gallium arsenide INGAAS.
MMICs are based on metamorphic high electron mobility transistor mHEMT technologt a method for creating advance transistors that are flexible and allow for performance in high frequency receivers.
The addition of LNAs equipped with these circuits will amplify low noise signals and minimize background noisce increasing the sensitivity of ALMAs receivers.
Frauhofer IAF and MPIFR were commissioned by the European Southern Observatory ESO to provide amplifiers.
Frauhofer IAF was responsible for designing, testing and manufacturing the MMICs at room temperature, MPIFR was task with assembling and qualifying the LNA modules, then testing them in cryogenic conditions.
This is wonderful recognition of our fantastic collaboration with Fraunhofer IAF which shows that amplifiers are not only made in Germany but best in world said Prof Dr. Michael Kramer executive director at MPIFR.
Dr Fabian Thome head of subproject at Frauhofer IAF explained in IAF press release.
The performance of receivers depend on the performance of the first high frequency amplifiers installed in them.
Our technology is characterized by an average noise temperature of 22 K which is unmatched worldwide.
New LNA signals can be amplified more than 300 fold in first step.
This enables the ALMA receivers to measure millimeter and submillimeter radiation from depths of universe much more precisely and obtain better data.
We are proud that our LNA technology is helping us to better understand the origin of stars and entire galaxies.
