Galaxies (Dec 2022)

Applications of the Source-Frequency Phase-Referencing Technique for ngEHT Observations

  • Wu Jiang,
  • Guang-Yao Zhao,
  • Zhi-Qiang Shen,
  • María J. Rioja,
  • Richard Dodson,
  • Ilje Cho,
  • Shan-Shan Zhao,
  • Marshall Eubanks,
  • Ru-Sen Lu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/galaxies11010003
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
p. 3

Abstract

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The source-frequency phase-referencing (SFPR) technique has been demonstrated to have great advantages for mm-VLBI observations. By implementing simultaneous multi-frequency receiving systems on the next-generation Event Horizon Telescope (ngEHT) antennas, it is feasible to carry out a frequency phase transfer (FPT) which could calibrate the non-dispersive propagation errors and significantly increase the phase coherence in the visibility data. Such an increase offers an efficient approach for a weak source or structure detection. The SFPR also makes it possible for high-precision astrometry, including the core-shift measurements up to sub-mm wavelengths for Sgr A*, M 87*, etc. We also briefly discuss the technical and scheduling considerations for future SFPR observations with the ngEHT.

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