The Science Case for Simultaneous mm-Wavelength Receivers in Radio Astronomy

TL;DR

This review emphasizes the scientific advantages of using simultaneous mm-wavelength receivers in radio astronomy, demonstrating their critical role in advancing high-impact research across various astrophysical phenomena.

Contribution

It highlights the broad scientific applications and necessity of simultaneous mm-wavelength receivers, showcasing recent results and future opportunities in radio astronomy.

Findings

Enhanced sensitivity and efficiency in VLBI observations.

Critical for studying weak sources and spectral index variations.

Enables new insights into astrophysical phenomena.

Abstract

This review arose from the European Radio Astronomy Technical Forum (ERATec) meeting held in Firenze, October 2015, and aims to highlight the breadth and depth of the high-impact science that will be aided and assisted by the use of simultaneous mm-wavelength receivers. Recent results and opportunities are presented and discussed from the fields of: continuum VLBI (observations of weak sources, astrometry, observations of AGN cores in spectral index and Faraday rotation), spectral line VLBI (observations of evolved stars and massive star-forming regions) and time domain observations of the flux variations arising in the compact jets of X-ray binaries. Our survey brings together a large range of important science applications, which will greatly benefit from simultaneous observing at mm-wavelengths. Such facilities are essential to allow these applications to become more efficient, more sensitive and more scientifically robust. In some cases without simultaneous receivers the science goals are simply unachievable. Similar benefits would exist in many other high frequency astronomical fields of research.