The Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA). Improvement of the antenna response with a matching network and scientific impacts

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of a matching network to improve the antenna response of HERA, aiming to reduce signal reflections and enhance the accuracy of early universe observations.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new matching circuit design that reduces antenna reflections, improving the scientific capabilities of HERA for studying the Epoch of Reionization.

Findings

Electromagnetic and electrical simulations of the antenna were performed.

The matching network significantly reduces signal reflections between feed and dish.

Improved antenna response enhances the quality of 21-cm emission signal measurements.

Abstract

The Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) is a new powerful radio-telescope, dedicated to the study of the early universe. Its main goal is to characterise the period of the universe where the first galaxies and stars started to form, by studying the evolution of the 21-cm emission signal from neutral hydrogen, during the Epoch of Reionization. In this article, we present an electromagnetic and electrical co-simulation of the antenna performed with CST. We focus our analysis on the characterisation of the chromatic effects caused by the antenna, in particular multiple reflections of the received signal between the feed and the dish. These reflections can have an important impact on the scientific results, and it is crucial to keep them as low as possible. Therefore, we are currently developing a matching circuit which aims to improve the impedance matching between the feed and the front end.