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Design of a lightweight and efficient cryogenic cooling system for prime focus operation of a radio telescope.

Author(s) : RAGHUNATHAN A., UDAYA SHANKAR N., KASTHURIRENGAN S., et al.

Summary

Measuring weak signals of celestial sources using radio telescopes remains as a challenge for the design of receivers with good signal to noise ratio. Cryogenic cooling of receiver electronics is generally adopted to minimize the noise. When the radio telescope operates in Cassegrain mode, any cryocooler can be used. However, when operated in the prime focus mode, the cooler should meet the stringent requirements of its weight and other criteria. In this work, a commercial twin piston Stirling cryocooler based on linear motor compressor with a suitable vacuum jacket has been adopted for the latter application. This system is compact and weighs <15 kg and has a refrigeration capacity of about 5 W at 65 K. The studies have shown that cryogenic cooling of the low noise amplifier reduces its noise temperature from 32 to 15 K. Experimental results of observations in a 4.6 m radio telescope where the above cooling system is installed at the prime focus are also discussed.

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Pages: 2006-3/ICEC II-B3

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Details

  • Original title: Design of a lightweight and efficient cryogenic cooling system for prime focus operation of a radio telescope.
  • Record ID : 2008-1448
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Multiconference CryoPrague 2006 (9th Cryogenics 2006, ICEC 21, ICMC'06)
  • Publication date: 2006/07/17

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