Terahertz Instrumentation For Radio Astronomy

Radio Astronomy was always a frontrunner in the demand on terahertz technology. Millimetre and sub-millimetre wave receivers operate at ground-based observatories for more than 20 years with real Terahertz instruments making its way to ground-based [1] and space-based observatories, e.g., Herschel HIFI, during last years.In this talk, we will look at the key requirements to the radio astronomy and environmental science terahertz receivers using heterodyne technology. The most promising and established technologies for high-resolution spectroscopy instrumentation will be discussed. Using results of the Group for Advanced Receiver Development for Onsala Space Observatory 20 m telescope, for Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) telescope and ALMA Project Band 5, we will illustrate the trends and achievements in the terahertz instrumentation for radio astronomy