A team led by CATA Associate Researcher Ricardo Finger received the "Ramón Salas Edwards" award from the Institute of Engineers of Chile for developing pioneering technology in the country for the ALMA telescopes.
In a ceremony held at the premises of the Institute of Engineers of Chile, the organization presented the "Ramón Salas Edwards" award. This award is granted to engineers who have made significant contributions in applied research projects, the development and/or design of a new product or process, or in the implementation of an innovation in the productive sector. On this occasion, a cutting-edge research project led by Ricardo Finger, Associate Researcher at the Center for Astrophysics and Associated Technologies (CATA) and the Department of Astronomy (DAS) at the University of Chile, was recognized.
“The project ‘Design and Construction of the Band 1 Optical Receiver System for the ALMA Observatory’ represents a milestone in national engineering, as it was the first time a Chilean institution participated in the design and construction of an instrument for a major observatory like those currently operating in the north. It is an honor for me to say that this work is a source of pride for the country. Chile is considered the world’s capital of astronomy, and Chilean engineering and technology are making a strong entry into this development. We must thank engineers Ricardo Finger, Leonardo Bronfman, Nicolás Reyes, Patricio Mena, Valeria Tapia, Pablo Zorzi, Claudio Jarufe, and José Pizarro for their many years of effort, which have enabled our engineering to be present in these world-class developments,” highlighted Miguel Ropert, Director of the Institute of Engineers of Chile, while introducing the award recipients.
Long Process
The ALMA Band 1 project took place between 2008 and 2020 and is characterized by its focus on lower frequencies, allowing the observation of the colder universe, such as molecular clouds, gas, and dust at low temperatures, as well as complex molecules that emit at longer wavelengths. This makes it possible to study the initial stages of star and planetary formation, as well as complex chemical processes. The design and development of these technological components are now part of each of the 66 antennas of the ALMA observatory.
“The main highlight is that we opened the door, and we hope other teams will follow, to demonstrate that in Chile, we can perform engineering at the highest level. This is equivalent to placing an instrument on the International Space Station or building a probe to explore a planet. That's the level of dedication, precision, and technical demands required to place an instrument in a location like ALMA. So, beyond the specific technical aspects, this is a symbolic achievement for national engineering, and that makes us very happy,” said Ricardo Finger upon receiving the award.
In this process, CATA played a crucial role, coinciding with the initial phase of the core funding that led to its creation. “Conducting this kind of research is very complex and requires institutions that can make long-term commitments, because one of the challenges we face in Chile is that most funds are very short-term. Some grants last only a year, and in that time, very little can be accomplished. So, this is also a way of showing that investing in the long term pays off and that we must continue doing so. In this case, CATA was the support that made this great achievement possible. Without CATA, this would have been impossible, because there is no other fund we could have obtained directly as a lab that could have financed an effort of this magnitude,” added Ricardo Finger.
Leonardo Bronfman, also a member of CATA and DAS, shares a similar view. “In general, for long-term research to be successful, three essential factors are needed. First, having a project that is internationally interesting; second, having the right people—and fortunately, in Chile, we have top-level engineers; and third, funding. No matter how well the first two factors are covered, without funding, it can't be done. In this regard, CATA has demonstrated over time the importance of its role in bringing high-level research to fruition.”
The team is already working on a second phase, with the construction of Band 2 lenses (a new ultra-wideband receiver), which is the last band remaining to be installed. A prototype has been completed, which is currently being tested, and it would enable the installation of 80 lenses for all ALMA antennas in that spectrum.