We are pleased to announce the release of a new video on the development of ALMA.
In a radio telescope, radio waves from the universe are reflected by the antenna surface and guided to the receiver which is installed inside the antenna. The new video gives overall explanation of the receiver including its mechanism and the development process of the SIS junction, which is the heart of the receiver. The SIS junction is a tiny sensor that requires ultra-precision machining on a micrometer scale as applied to the semiconductors.

To realize unprecedentedly high performance telescope, it was essential to develop and manufacture a new ultra-sensitive sensor with the highest performance ever achieved for all the three receiver bands undertaken by the Japanese team. You can learn how these receivers were developed in the video.

“MADE IN NAOJ! ALMA Receiver Development part. 1”