Abstract:
The ALMA Band 2 Project is currently in Phase I, construction of prototype receiver cartridges. The cartridge design exploits recent advances in cryogenic low noise amplifier technology to cover the full ALMA Band 2 and 3 atmospheric window (67-116 GHz). At the same time, this sideband separating receiver cartridge has a goal to provide 4-18 GHz intermediate frequency (IF) bandwidth, a factor of 3.5 times wider than the current IF (4-8 GHz). In order to exploit this, it must be coupled with appropriate backend technologies including the next-generation ALMA digitizers, transmission system, and correlator. Below we highlight some of the observational advantages of such a wideband system, but note the cases we present for Band 2 have analogous applications across the full mm/submm spectrum. Wideband capabilities will help meet all three of the Key Science Drivers identified by the ALMA Development Working Group in the ALMA 2030 Roadmap.
