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Gerbrandt, Stephanie A. N.

The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) will study Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) in the redshift range when the expansion of the Universe began to accelerate due Dark Energy’s dominating influence. CHIME will measure the Hubble parameter, H(z), and constrain the equation of state parameter, w, of Dark Energy. These measurements are critical in furthering our understanding of the expansion history of the Universe and Dark Energy. CHIME will observe the faint cosmological signal and map expansion from its location at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) near Penticton, BC. In order to make the required measurements, the CHIME telescope requires an accurate calibration plan. Of the many components of the overall calibration plan, this paper specifically addresses the system gain calibration, with respect to exploring the relationship between system gain and temperature in the development of a thermal model. The model presented here describes the relationship to first order and lays the foundation for more detailed study. Findings provide insight into system gain configuration and facilitate subsequent development of the thermal model. The results presented here are critical steps in the system gain calibration, contributing to a successful overall calibration plan that will ultimately lead to reliable data from which new science results will emerge. The analysis of these data has the potential to lead to an increased understanding of the expansion of the Universe and the nature of Dark Energy.

Text

University of British Columbia. ASTR 449

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0085986

Physics and Astronomy, Department of; Science, Faculty of

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/