SuperCam: A 64 pixel SIS receiver array for submillimeter-wave astronomy

We report on the development of SuperCam, a 64 pixel imaging spectrometer designed for operation in the astrophysically important 870 micron atmospheric window. SuperCam is being used to answer fundamental questions about the physics and chemistry of molecular clouds in the Galaxy and their relationship to star and planet formation. SuperCam's key project is a fully sampled Galactic plane survey covering over 500 square degrees of the Galaxy in ¹²CO(3-2).