The Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT) is a radio telescope with a primary mirror of 64 meters from the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF). With the co-financing obtained from the PON ESF FESR "Research and Innovation 2014-2020" INAF intends to complete the technological developments necessary for the full exploitation of the SRT up to the maximum frequency achievable, also equipping itself with the Q-band microwave receivers (33-50 GHz multibeam), 3-band (18-26 GHz, 33-50 GHz, simultaneous 80-116 GHz), W-band (75-116 GHz, multibeam) and 3 mm «bolometric» receiver. The object of this open procedure is the realization and commissioning on SRT (and on the other two Italian radio telescopes, medicine and known) of a receiver capable of simultaneously observing the same celestial source in 3 frequency bands centered respectively at 22, 43 and 86 GHz.
With note prot. n. 424 of 28.2.2018, the Ministry of Education, University and Research ("MIUR") issued the "Notice for granting funding aimed at strengthening research infrastructures, implementing Action II.1 of the PON Research and Innovation 2014-2020 "(hereinafter also referred to as" Notice "). The Sardinia Radio Telescope has been included in the notice as a "research infrastructure" that can be subjected to upgrading; in response to the notice, the INAF presented the project proposal «PIR01_00010 - SRT_HighFreq - Strengthening of the Sardinia Radio Telescope for the study of the Universe at high radio frequencies» («Proposal»), articulated according to nine «Realization Objectives» (of below also referred to as "OR" only.
Among these, the realization objective 4, called "A compact and simultaneous three-band microwave receiving system for the three Italian radio telescopes", aims to complete SRT and the radio telescopes of the INAF network of Medicina (BO) and Noto (SR ) with the equipment of a receiver able to observe a celestial source simultaneously on 3 radio bands.
Besides allowing high-frequency observation, another key feature of the receiver will be the simultaneity in observing the same celestial source in three frequency bands centered respectively at 22, 43 and 86 GHz. The simultaneity in being able to observe the same phenomenon multi-band frequency astrophysicist is for certain astronomical radio applications, such as for example the study of variable objects (eg active galactic nuclei, maser sources) and transients (eg supernova remnants, gamma-ray bursts, microquasars) of fundamental importance. Moreover, this simultaneity facilitates the calibration of the observations, both in single-dish mode and, above all, in VLBI mode (in network with other antennas).
In the receiver to be acquired through this open procedure multi-frequency observations are essential for the study of variable objects (eg active galactic nuclei, maser sources) and transients (eg supernova remnants, gamma-ray bursts, microquasars).
The complete tender dossier, with free, unlimited and direct access, is provided to the internet address of the electronic e-procurement platform used by INAF: https://inaf.ubuy.cineca.it/PortaleAppalti/ («Platform U -Buy »), through which the candidates, upon registration and in compliance with the art. 40 of the public contracts code, of Legislative Decree 50/2016 and subsequent amendments, must submit their offer.