Effects of cryostat infrared filters on the performance of ALMA band 1 (35–52 GHz) receiver optics

The ALMA telescope is one of the largest on-ground astronomical projects in the world. It will perform astronomical observations in all the atmospheric windows from 35 to 950 GHz when completed. The ALMA band 1 (35-52 GHz) receiver is in an advanced development state and production may start soon. As for other bands, the receiver is enclosed in a cryostat, where electronics are cooled down for minimum noise temperature operation. However, in the case of band 1, components are large in comparison with cryostat dimensions and aperture sizes. This makes that the best receiver optics designs have the corrugated feed horn very close to the cryostat infrared (IR) filters. This paper discusses the effects of the IR filters on the performance of the ALMA band 1 receiver optics.