Radiómetros del instrumento LFI de la misión Planck

Abstract

The Planck satellite is a mission of the European Space Agency due to be launched in 2007 to map the anisotropies in the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation [1]. These anisotropies hold the answers to many questions in cosmology. Planck receivers are specifically designed to detect microwaves at frequencies in the range between 30 and 850 GHz. Two different instruments are under development to cover low and high frequency channels. The Low Frequency Instrument (LFI) will take measurements in four channels, from 30 to 100 GHz, based on differential radiometers using broadband very low noise amplifiers and direct detection. The Front End amplifiers are cooled at 20 K and the Back End amplifiers are at high temperature. The LFI radiometer system will have a total number of 46 receivers. The Back End Modules at 30 and 44 GHz are in development in Spain, using MMIC amplifiers and Schottky diode detectors. At present the Qualified Model units are under fabrication.