Using Fast-Switching Data to Characterize Atmospheric Phase Fluctuations at the Submillimeter Array

TL;DR

This study investigates the use of fast-switching calibration cycles at the Submillimeter Array to better understand and mitigate atmospheric phase fluctuations, aiming to improve observational sensitivity and resolution.

Contribution

It introduces a fast-switching observational method with ~90 sec cycles to analyze atmospheric phase fluctuations at the SMA, which is a novel approach for optimizing calibration.

Findings

Fast-switching data reveal residual atmospheric phase fluctuations.

Shorter calibration cycles improve phase stability.

Preliminary results suggest potential for enhanced SMA performance.

Abstract

For the submillimeter band observations, we have been routinely adopting the calibration cycle time of 20-30 minutes, which is the same as any typical centimeter and millimeter band observations. This cycle time, largely corrects only the instrumental phase fluctuations and there exists residual phase fluctuations, which are attributed to temporal and spatial atmospheric phase fluctuations. Hence, the classical calibration cycle needs closer attention for any future submillimeter band observations. We have therefore obtained fast-switching test data, cycling between three nearby calibrators, using the submillimeter array (SMA) with a cycle time of $\sim$90 sec, in order to understand and optimize the calibration cycle suitably, thereby to achieve the projected sensitivity, angular resolution and dynamic range for the SMA. Here, we present the preliminary results from this study.