Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Spring 5-31-2015
Degree Name
Master of Science in Applied Physics - (M.S.)
Department
Physics
First Advisor
Dale E. Gary
Second Advisor
Haimin Wang
Third Advisor
Andrew Gerrard
Abstract
ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) is an antenna array of 66 antennas located in northern Chile at 5000 meters altitude. It is the largest ground-based array operated at millimeter/submillimeter wavelengths. In this thesis, the advantages of using ALMA for solar observation are presented, together with the introduction of a campaign to commission ALMA for solar observations. Observation modes of the solar campaign are reviewed in Chapter 2. Methods for constructing images from single dish data as well as the procedure for processing interferometer data, including calibration and imaging, are given in Chapter 3. The CLEAN algorithm that is used for producing images is also discussed in this chapter. Examples of processed images, both for single dish and interferometer, are shown in Chapter 4. In the final Chapter 5, a discussion about what remains to be done to create the observing tool and define observing modes for future ALMA solar campaign is provided.
Recommended Citation
Chai, Yi, "Characterizing alma for solar observation" (2015). Theses. 224.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/224
