Christopher Emil Groppi

Warm-Dense Molecular Gas in the ISM of Starbursts, LIRGs and ULIRGs

The role of star formation in luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs, LIR ≥ 1011 L☉; ULIRGs, LIR ≥ 1012 L☉) is a hotly debated issue: while it is clear that starbursts play a large role in powering the IR luminosity in these galaxies, the relative importance of possible enshrouded AGNs is unknown. It is therefore important to better understand the role of star-forming gas in contributing to the infrared luminosity in IR-bright galaxies. The J = 3 level of 12CO lies 33 K above ground and has a critical density of ~1.5 × 104 cm-3. The 12CO J = 3-2 line serves as an effective tracer for warm, dense molecular gas heated by active star formation. Here we report on 12CO J = 3-2 observations of 17 starburst spiral galaxies, LIRGs, and ULIRGs, which we obtained with the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope on Mount Graham, Arizona. Our main results are as follows. (1) We find a nearly linear relation between the infrared luminosity and warm, dense molecular gas such that the infrared luminosity increases as the warm, dense molecular gas to the power 0.92; we interpret this to be roughly consistent with the recent results of Gao & Solomon. (2) We find LIR/M ratios ranging from ~38 to ~482 L☉/M☉ using a modified CO-H2 conversion factor of 8.3 × 1019 cm-2 (K km s-1)-1 derived in this paper.

Millimeter and Submillimeter Survey of the R Coronae Australis Region

Using a combination of data from the Antarctic Submillimeter Telescope and Remote Observatory (AST/RO), the Arizona Radio Observatory Kitt Peak 12 m telescope, and the Arizona Radio Observatory 10 m Heinrich Hertz Telescope, we have studied the most active part of the R CrA molecular cloud in multiple transitions of carbon monoxide, HCO+, and 870 μm continuum emission. Since R CrA is nearby (130 pc), we are able to obtain physical spatial resolution as high as 0.01 pc over an area of 0.16 pc2, with velocity resolution finer than 1 km s-1. Mass estimates of the protostar driving the millimeter-wave emission derived from HCO+, dust continuum emission, and kinematic techniques point to a young, deeply embedded protostar of ~0.5-0.75 M☉, with a gaseous envelope of similar mass. A molecular outflow is driven by this source that also contains at least 0.8 M☉ of molecular gas with ~0.5 L☉ of mechanical luminosity. HCO+ lines show the kinematic signature of infall motions, as well as bulk rotation. The source is most likely a Class 0 protostellar object not yet visible at near-IR wavelengths. With the combination of spatial and spectral resolution in our data set, we are able to disentangle the effects of infall, rotation, and outflow toward this young object.

First results from DesertSTAR: a 7-pixel 345-GHz heterodyne array receiver for the Heinrich Hertz Telescope

We present the first astronomical results from DesertSTAR, a 7 pixel heterodyne array receiver designed for operation in the astrophysically rich 345 GHz atmospheric window. DesertSTAR was constructed for the 10m Heinrich Hertz Telescope located at 3150m elevation on Mt. Graham, Arizona. This receiver promises to increase mapping speed at the HHT by a factor of ~15 over the facilitys existing single beam, dual polarization receiver. DesertSTAR uses tunerless, single-ended waveguide SIS mixers to achieve uncorrected receiver noise temperatures of ~60K. The instantaneous bandwidth is 2 GHz, with a 5 GHz Intermediate Frequency, offering 1600 km/s of velocity coverage. Cryogenic isolators are employed between the mixers and low noise amplifiers to assure a flat IF passband. The system uses a Joule-Thompson closed-cycle refrigerator with 180W capacity at 70K and 1.8W capacity at 4K. A novel reflective phase grating is used for Local Oscillator multiplexing, while a simple Mylar beamsplitter is used as an LO diplexer. Optics include only polyethelene mixer lenses and a single, cold, flat mirror, maximizing simplicity for high efficiency and easy optical alignment. The computer controlled bias system provides low noise bias for the SIS junctions, magnets and LNAs through a modular and hardware independent GUI interface, and allows remote operation and monitoring. We present measurements of receiver noise, beam quality, efficiency and stability in addition to astronomical observations obtained during engineering runs at the HHT.

SmallSat interferometry for THz astrophysics

While great strides have been made in far-infrared astrophysics with the NASA Spitzer and ESA Herschel missions, subarcsecond spatial resolution from space is still beyond the reach of current technologies. The Atacama Large Millimeter Array has produced stunning images from the ground of planetary systems in the process of formation but cannot observe the key molecules of water or O2, due to the presence of Earth’s atmosphere. The concept presented here will enable interferometric imaging with sub-arcsecond resolution of water and other key far infrared molecular species from space at a cost far lower than the flagship class interferometric missions previously proposed (i.e. ESA’s ESPRIT). We present a concept for a far infrared interferometer based on a constellation of CubeSat antenna elements with a central ESPA-class correlator satellite optimized for the imaging of water in protoplanetary systems. Such a mission would produce groundbreaking images of newly forming planetary systems in a key astrophysical and astrobiological tracer, the 557 GHz ground state line of water. By leveraging recent developments in CubeSat technology, inflatable reflectors, miniaturized receiver systems and low power CMOS digital electronics, such a mission could be implemented at an Explorer level budget. In addition to the proposed astrophysics application, the developments proposed here could also find application in planetary science (FIR spectroscopy of comets and small bodies) and Earth observing (high resolution imaging of Earth from geostationary orbit).

IF system design for the Galactic/Extragalactic ULDB Spectroscopic Terahertz Observatory (GUSTO)

We present the design, and prototype phases of the intermediate frequency (IF) system for the upcoming balloon borne observatory, Galactic/Extragalactic Ultra-Long Duration Balloon (ULDB) Spectroscopic Terahertz Ob- servatory (GUSTO). GUSTO is a multi-organizational project whose goal is to address several key unanswered questions concerning all of the phases of the stellar life cycle within the Interstellar Medium (ISM). Using the NASA ULDB system for its platform, GUSTO will employ on-the-fly mapping techniques to scan a total of 124 square degrees of the Milky Way and Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). GUSTO will survey the three brightest cooling lines in the Milky Way and the LMC. These lines are [CII], [OI], and [NII] corresponding to the three wavelengths of 158, 63, and 205 micron respectively. The completed survey will provide higher angular, and velocity resolution than that of previous surveys of [CII], [OI], and [NII]. These lines will be measured using three 8-pixel heterodyne arrays, each one dedicated to an individual cooling line, and all working together to make a 24-pixel focal plane. The GUSTO IF system is being designed to operate at low power consumption and high sensitivity all in a compact and lightweight package. The IF system will include a wideband 0.3 - 5 GHz, cryogenic, low noise amplifier (LNA), which will boost the IF output of a superconducting hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixer. The LNA was designed with commercial, off the shelf SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistors, and surface mount passive components. The LNA design has been optimized for low power consumption, and for sensitivity. The input impedance of the LNA is matched to the output impedance of the mixer over a wide range of frequencies to reduce reflections, and standing waves. Warm IF electronics have also been designed using commercial, off the shelf, surface mount SiGe transistors in order to achieve a high, and at gain (>50dB) over the entire bandwidth. These components provide variable gain and deliver an optimum signal level to the analog to digital converter of the backend spectrometer. The warm IF components were optimized for wide bandwidth, low power consumption, as well as reliability, and fit in a compact package. Commercially fabricated custom flexible printed circuit boards are being used for multi-channel stripline-based transmission lines, instead of the traditional stainless steel cryogenic semi-rigid coaxial cables. Replacing coaxial cables with the flexible printed circuit boards allows us to transmit through up to 16 lines on a single flex circuit, without losing performance, and furthering the design goal of providing a compact/lightweight solution. Each of the components used in this IF system will undergo rigorous qualification testing, and documentation in accordance with a NASA Class-D balloon mission. We discuss the design challenges in adapting cryogenic, and warm IF electronics to operate for an ultra long duration balloon mission.

Dielectrically embedded mesh lens design for cubesat water detection

Here we present a preliminary design for a dielectrically embedded mesh lens, with the intended purpose of being deployed on a 6-unit CubeSat to observe the 556GHz water emission line. A CubeSat offers a cost-effective potential solution for observing these emissions, which cannot be observed from the ground, given it has a lens which can offer a significant effective collecting area at that frequency. To this end, we investigate designs for a lens by using transmission line theory to model a flat, lightweight, dielectrically embedded mesh lens which can be fabricated using layers of photolithographically etched material. We demonstrate that, using commercially available material, transmittances of over 95% may be achieved.

ERRATUM: “WARM-DENSE MOLECULAR GAS IN THE ISM OF STARBURSTS, LIRGs, AND ULIRGs” (2005, ApJ, 630, 269)

Many of the coordinates in the original paper have been recorded wrongly from the original submission to the final printed version. The coordinates for all sources were taken from the IRAS Revised Bright Galaxy Survey (Sanders et al. 2003). As such, the Sanders et al. catalog should be referred to for the coordinates used in this study.