An Efficient Linear-array Imager for radio astronomy

Abstract

Large-scale surveys are essential means to leapfrog astronomical understanding. Yet, Galaxy-wide surveys at millimetre wavelengths are rare and have not benefited much from multiple receivers that provide large instantaneous field of view. If one were to have a large number of millimetre wave receivers, how best to deploy them to maximize survey speed to measure both point and smoothly distributed emission? In this paper, we present a new cross telescope configuration, Efficient Linear-array Imager, and demonstrate that it provides an interesting alternate solution. As an interferometer element, it lends itself for close packing and thereby blends short and long spacing visibilities naturally, improving imaging.