ASTE Band 10 (787–950 GHz) heterodyne receiver: System description, commissioning, and science verification

Abstract We report the system description and results of the commissioning and science verification (CSV) of the Band 10 (787–950 GHz) heterodyne receiver for ASTE (Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment), a 10 m submillimeter telescope at the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) site in Chile. The new ASTE Band 10 receiver cartridge was refurbished from a prototype ALMA Band 10 receiver with SIS mixers employing high critical current density junctions. We installed the new receiver on ASTE and carried out its CSV. The best double-sideband (DSB) system noise temperature achieved on ASTE toward the zenith was ∼1500 K (PWV ∼ 0.5 mm). As a part of CSV activities, we performed science verification observations to demonstrate ASTE Band 10 capabilities to the community. Wide-field images were successfully obtained toward the well-studied OMC-1 region with both [C i](3P2–3P1) and 12CO(J = 7–6) lines. In addition, we partially carried out observations toward a super star cluster RCW 38, [C i](3P1–3P0), images of which were already obtained by ASTE. We demonstrated the capability of ASTE Band 10 observations toward bright and extended objects like giant molecular clouds.