APPLICATION OF RADIO TELESCOPE RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY TO LABORATORY MICROWAVE SPECTROMETERS

Author Institution: National Bureau of StandardsNew observations of molecular spectra in astronomical objects have followed advances in the sensitivity and bandwidth o£ radio telescope receivers. Modern millimeter-wave receivers are being used as microwave spectrometers. The spectra obtained are becoming increasingly complex, and spectra obtained from the interstellar medium have been assigned to species yet to be produced in the Laboratory. A critical evaluation of the essential components of telescope and laboratory spectrometers will identify some areas where new receiver technology and engineering analysis can be applied to improve the performance of laboratory spectrometers