The upGREAT Dual Frequency Heterodyne Arrays for SOFIA

We present the performance of the upGREAT heterodyne array receivers on the SOFIA telescope after several years of operations. This instrument is a multi-pixel high resolution ([Formula: see text]) spectrometer for the Stratospheric Observatory for Far-Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The receivers use 7-pixel subarrays configured in a hexagonal layout around a central pixel. The low frequency array receiver (LFA) has [Formula: see text] pixels (dual polarization), and presently covers the 1.83–2.07[Formula: see text]THz frequency range, which allows to observe the [CII] and [OI] lines at 158[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m and 145[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m wavelengths. The high frequency array (HFA) covers the [OI] line at 63[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m and is equipped with one polarization at the moment (7 pixels, which can be upgraded in the near future with a second polarization array). The 4.7[Formula: see text]THz array has successfully flown using two separate quantum-cascade laser local oscillators from two different groups. NASA completed the development, integration and testing of a dual-channel closed-cycle cryocooler system, with two independently operable He compressors, aboard SOFIA in early 2017 and since then, both arrays can be operated in parallel using a frequency separating dichroic mirror. This configuration is now the prime GREAT configuration and has been added to SOFIA’s instrument suite since observing cycle 6.

Heterodyne Interferometry in the Infrared

The University of California Infrared Spatial Interferometer (ISI) for the 10 μm wavelength region is briefly described along with results obtained on prominent stars and on atmospheric phenomena. The system has two movable telescopes of 1.65 m aperture. It operates in principle like a modern radio interferometer, using heterodyne detection, CO2 laser local oscillators, RF delay lines, and lobe rotation to maintain a fixed-frequency fringe rate.Rather extensive measurements have been made on atmospheric pathlength or phase fluctuation characteristics which show substantial deviations from the Kolmogorov-Taylor model, fortunately in a direction favoring adaptive optics, long baselines, and the use of infrared wavelengths. Outer scales as small as about 10 meters occur under good seeing conditions. Visibility results on 13 stars show that 6 of them have dust shells rather far from the star and give evidence for episodic emission of gas. Others of the 13 stars also vary with time, but are characterized by more continuous emission and dust formation near the stars at temperatures as high as 1300 K.