Phase correction for the BIMA array: atmospherical model calculations for the design of a prototype correlation radiometer

Johannes G. Staguhn; Andrew I. Harris; R. L. Plambeck; William J. Welch

doi:10.1117/12.317376

31 July 1998 Phase correction for the BIMA array: atmospherical model calculations for the design of a prototype correlation radiometer

Johannes G. Staguhn, Andrew I. Harris, R. L. Plambeck, William J. Welch

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3357, Advanced Technology MMW, Radio, and Terahertz Telescopes; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.317376
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 1998, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

We present results from atmospheric model calculations for the design of an atmospheric phase correlation radiometer for the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Millimeter Array (BIMA). The radiometer will monitor the atmospheric path delay by observing the fluctuations in the emission from tropospheric water vapor which causes de-correlation of astronomical signals which are observed along different lines of sight. We discuss the applicability of monitoring the optically thick 183 GHz water line and the optically thin 22 GHz water line. We conclude that for the BIMA site, which is not extremely dry, optical depth effects make observations of the 183 GHz line unfavorable. We discuss possible observing schemes and conclude that a multi-channel radiometer provides the highest achievable accuracy, as it provides the possibility to fit a line shape model to the observed channels. Systematic errors due to the unknown altitude distribution of water vapor and optical depth effects can be significantly reduced by this scheme, compared to methods which only monitor the change of the peak brightness temperature of the water vapor line.

Citation Download Citation

Johannes G. Staguhn, Andrew I. Harris, R. L. Plambeck, and William J. Welch "Phase correction for the BIMA array: atmospherical model calculations for the design of a prototype correlation radiometer", Proc. SPIE 3357, Advanced Technology MMW, Radio, and Terahertz Telescopes, (31 July 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.317376

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available