NewLight UHMWPE chosen as lens material for astronomical radio telescope receivers

ALMA antennas’ main role is to observe space.

The frequency range available to ALMA is divided into 10 different receiver bands, from 35 to 950 gigahertz (GHz) – equating to wavelength bands of 0.3 to 8.6 millimeters.

Subsidiary of Mitsui Chemicals, Saxin Corporation’s NewLight ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) molding has been selected as the lens material for new receivers at ALMA for its low loss, stable dielectric constant and ability to withstand environment exposed to powerful UV rays.

NewLight is applied to the lenses to be used in the optical system of the band 2 receivers, allowing observation within the frequency range 67-116 GHz, with wavelength of 2.6-4.5mm.

The picture shows a receiver in the radio telescope.

Radio telescope lenses need to allow very weak high-frequency radio waves from astronomical objects to pass through with as little loss as possible.

Lens material must also have uniform properties to maintain optical performance across 66 antennas. Ultraviolet (UV) resistance is an essential property due to their location at an altitude of around 5,000 meters.

The picture shows NewLight lens adopted for use in the radio telescope.

ALMA began its full-scale operations in 2013, and has revolutionized mankind’s understanding of the birth of planets and the formation and evolution of galaxies.

It also proved the existence of various simple organic molecules in the dust and gas disks where planets are being born.