Groningen University RUG's Kapteyn Institute for Astronomy may again build detectors for the ALMA radio telescope in Chile. The project is being carried out in cooperation with partners from Sweden and Italy. A total of 66 detectors are involved.
As an astronomical institute, the RUG's Kapteyn Institute has a lot of experience in building highly sensitive instruments. In most cases, however, these are unique instruments, of which only one is needed. In contrast, the ALMA radio telescope consists of 66 dishes, all equipped with the same equipment. 'These are high-quality detectors that need to be very reliable,' Joost Adema, who is coordinating the Groningen part of the project, said in a press release.
Complex molecules
The ALMA radio telescope can analyse radiation from space at different wavelengths. A separate detector was developed and produced for each band. Previously, the Kapteyn Institute supplied detectors for Band 5 (wavelength 1.8 - 1.4 mm) and Band 9 (wavelength 0.5 - 0.4 mm). Now it is Band 2, for observing wavelengths from 2.6 to 4.5 mm.
At this wavelength, the radio telescope can find complex molecules in the universe that may have played a role in the emergence of life. Scientists have now found out that those molecules did not only originate on Earth but are also in space. Simple building blocks for DNA have also already been found in space. Astronomers would like to know in detail where these building blocks for life are located and that is where ALMA can help. The radio telescope can even contribute to the search for planets.
However, before it is possible to make such observations, the detectors have to be developed and built. 'We need two years to figure out how to make these detectors,' says Adema. This will be done in collaboration with colleagues from the universities of Gothenburg (Sweden) and Bologna (Italy). This will be followed by a three-year process in which the entire series will be built, tested and delivered.
Metalworking
To make the detectors, the Kapteyn Institute is also collaborating with technical companies in the region, including in metalworking and PCB construction. Making an entire series with consistent quality is something not many institutes can do. 'We have proven we can build series with consistent quality, in that we are unique,' says Adema. 'We think that's why they came to us again.'
A team of six will work on the telescope. The total budget, including partners, is about 13 million euros, 11 million of which will go to the Kapteyn Institute. 'About two-thirds of our budget goes on the often specialised components, the rest on personnel and operations.' The aim is to ship the detectors to Chile in five years' time.
Source: RUG.
