research above the institute’s previous limit of 110 GHz. Impact of the instrumentation Even at its previous capacity, the CEFIM was the only South African facility to cover measurements in the critical 70 – 100 GHz frequency range. Extending its capabilities will further enhance the institute’s profile as a world class research facility and enable South African researchers to make an early impact alongside their international counterparts. Prof Stander, whose work in this field is internationally recognised, explains that some future 6G communication networks are expected to operate in the 100 – 300 GHz bands, whereas many next-generation radio astronomy receivers are required for observations at sub-THz frequencies. “As this is an emerging research field, no facility existed in South Africa to measure electromagnetic waves and devices at this frequency,” Prof Standers says. “This is what makes the establishment of this facility so significant on a national scale.” Combined with the CEFIM’s existing precision manufacturing and assembly capabilities, the measurement facility will increase the number of radio astronomy projects that South African engineers can meaningfully participate in, opening the door to new kinds of sub-THz radio astronomy research in South Africa. The facility will support the institute’s development and fabrication of next- generation radio astronomy receivers at sub-THz frequencies, funded by a grant from the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory. It will further support the group’s research collaborations with the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the country’s National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics, as well as the CEFIM’s participation in the Atacama Large Aperture Submillimetre Telescope project, enabling it to develop prototypes and test selected receiver concepts in-house. This also applies to the institute’s participation in the African Millimetre Telescope (AMT), led by Radboud University in the Netherlands and the University of Namibia, which will support the next generation Event Horizon Telescope network. The CEFIM’s new sub-THz measurement capabilities and geographic advantage position it perfectly to become a key technical partner in this project.
Participants in the lead-in training session that took place at the CEFIM in May 2026.
Lead-in training The equipment has been installed in the CEFIM’s mm-wave laboratory. Postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, CEFIM staff members who will be supervising research in this field and the institute’s laboratory technician attended the lead-in training. It was presented by Stefano Balzarini, the manufacturer’s representative in the Europe, Middle East and Africa Region, who is based in Milan, Italy, and supported by Darius Opperman of Tamashi Technology Investments, the South African agent for the equipment. “This equipment will enable me to perform testing that wasn’t previously possible in South Africa,” said Reuben Neate, a postgraduate researcher who attended the training. His research on water vapour radiometry at 183 GHz is critical to mm-wave radio astronomy, specifically to develop systems that can test potential sites for the next \ generation Event Horizon Telescope. This telescope will capture sharper images and even videos of black holes by linking telescopes all over the world to create a virtual, earth-sized telescope. “I’m excited to be among the first researchers to use the CEFIM’s new equipment,” Neate added. Alignment with national priorities The facility is aligned with the government’s national priorities in terms of testing high-frequency radio astronomy receivers.
“While the National Research and Development Strategy correctly states that South Africa has the engineering capability to build telescopes locally, the country does not yet possess the facilities to test the next-generation sub THz radio astronomy receivers that would be required for next-generation facilities such as the AMT, the large aperture submillimetre telescope in the Atacama Desert in Chile or future extensions to the Korean VLBI Network in South Korea,” Prof Stander explains. “This facility will fill that gap in the engineering capabilities of radio astronomy locally.” In addition to the design of radio astronomy receivers, the work done in water vapour radiometry systems for radio astronomy opacity measurements can also be applied in atmospheric and climate studies. Other applications of sub-THz technologies include sub-THz spectroscopy, sensors, radar and imaging. The new measurement capabilities will further contribute to the CEFIM’s research into the built-in self-testing of high frequency electronics, also funded by the NRF. This research can now be expanded into sub-THz bands with in-house measurements. By continuing to contribute to microelectronics and electromagnetics research in this frequency range through the CEFIM’s activities, UP is ensuring that South African research remains globally relevant and competitive, while making an impact locally. n
SEPTEMBER 2026 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za MODERN MINING 27
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker