Neal Erickson

My research interests are primarily in the area of low noise millimeter and submillimeter wave receiver systems, and astronomical observations with these systems. I have designed mixers in the frequency range from 80 to 2500 GHz and frequency multipliers from 40 to 500 GHz, all based on Schottky diode technology. I have also worked in the field of quasi-optics and have been a leader in the application of this technology to the mm and submm range.

I have worked with low noise FET and HEMT amplifiers in the 1-6 GHz range, and now am expanding this work into the mm-wave range using the new technology of HEMT's. This work is concentrated on the development of a very low noise amplifier for 40-50 GHz, operating at a temperature of 20 K, and also on a broad band low noise amplifier for 90-115 GHz. This amplifier will become the prototype for one element of a new focal plane array receiver.

I was responsible for much of the design of a 15 element cryogenic receiver array (QUARRY) for the 86 to 115 GHz range. This array is presently installed on the FCRAO 14 m telescope and is the largest in use on any mm-wave telescope. The front end of this receiver, makes use of 20 K cooled mixers and optics and a rather innovative LO system. This receiver has greatly increased the data rate at the 14 m telescope and it is designed for ease of operation.

I am working on frequency multipliers for 800 to 1000 GHz based on both waveguide and quasi-optical approaches, with the aim of producing an output power of 0.1 mW. So far, this work has resulted in the highest power frequency multiplier for 170 GHz, which will serve as a pump stage for following multipliers. I am also interested in the fabrication of a solid state receiver for 1 THz, which will serve as the prototype for a future space mission.

I am involved in the design and fabrication of a spacecraft known as the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS). This satellite will include receivers for 490 and 550 GHz and will be the first satellite to use heterodyne receivers in the submillimeter region. The primary interests of this mission are observations of interstellar water and oxygen, with C(I) and CO as secondary objectives.

Recent Publications

• "A New Quasi-Optical Filter: the Reflective Polarizing Interferometer," Erickson, N.R., Intl. Journal of IR and Millimeter Waves, 8, No. 9, 1015 (1987).

• "High Efficiency Submillimeter Frequency Multipliers," Erickson, N.R., 1990 IEEE MTT-S Inst. Microwave Symposium Digest, pp 1301-1304 (May 1990).

• "A 15 Element Focal Plane Array for 100 GHz," Erickson, N.R., Goldsmith, P.F., Novak, G., Viscuso, P.J., Erickson, R.B. and, Predmore, C.R., IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., MTT-40, pp. 1-11 (1992).

• "Low Noise Submillimeter Receivers Using Single-Diode Harmonic Mixers," Erickson, N.R., Proceedings of the IEEE, (Nov. 1992).

• "A 500 GHz Transmitter/Receiver for Phase Magnitude Measurements," Erickson, N.R., IEEE MTT-S Int. Microwave Symposium Digest (June 1992).

Last Update: Jan 2001