NIKA2 Homepage

The New IRAM KID Array 2 (NIKA2) is a dual-band camera operating with three frequency-multiplexed kilopixels arrays of Lumped Element Kinetic Inductance Detectors (LEKID) cooled at 150mK. NIKA2 is designed to observe simultaneously the intensity at 1.15 and 2.0 mm. In addition, it allows for polarisation observations at 1.15 mm. NIKA2 is built by an international consortium, led by the Institute Neel (Grenoble, France).

NIKA2 in the web:

• NIKA2 website at OSUG

• NIKA2-internal wiki at IRAM-FR.

News

• On 29-Jan-2026, it is planned to replace a degrading amplifier of electronic board C of the 2mm array.

• In March 2025, NIKA2 was upgraded. New 1mm KID arrays were installed, the dichroic was exchanged, various filters have been exchanged. New 1mm bandpasses have been measured at the telescope and are provided here. New, still preliminary NEFDs are provided below.

• Polarimetry at 1mm has been commissioned in 2022 and observations of the B-FUN large polarimetry program have started.

• Since October 2019, the PIIC software for the reduction of NIKA2 data is available for download together with an extensive, regularly updated tutorial (see the PIIC dedicated page).

• After a phase of upgrades, tests, and commissioning, NIKA2 has been offered to the astronomy community for total power observations since October 2017.
• Since October 2015, NIKA2 is installed at the IRAM 30m telescope.

Overview

NIKA2 properties (valid after March 2025; still preliminary)

Changes after 2/2025 (1 mm bandwidth) and 1/2026 (1 mm NEFD) are marked in bold.

NIKA2 properties (valid till February 2025)

Comments: The half-power beam widths and the NEFDs are taken from Perotto et al. 2020. The NEFDs are extrapolated to a sky opacity of 0 and 90 deg. elevation.

NIKA2 observing time estimator

A Python script to estimate observing times is available together with a document describing the approach and giving examples. Please find it here.

PIIC data reduction software

The PIIC software for the reduction of NIKA2 total-power and polarimetry data is available for download together with an extensive, regularly updated tutorial (see the PIIC dedicated page).

The five Guaranteed Time Large Programs

Five Large Programs (LPs) for NIKA2 in guaranteed time (GT) have been granted time in September 2016 and March 2017. The GT LPs in total power have been completed. Their sources are not "fenced" against new continuum 2mm/1mm mapping projects at the 30m or NOEMA. Only the B-FUN GT LP project in polarimetry is ongoing and continues to be "fenced". <CK 23-Jan-2026>

• Source list of all five GT LPs:

  • NIKA2-GT-LPs-08feb2022.pdf

  • NIKA2-GT-LPs-08feb2022.xls

• Phase I

  • Galactic Star Formation with NIKA2 - GASTON (122-16) PI is Nicolas Peretto. Abstract: The IMF is a fundamental global output of the star formation process, and the question of its origin and universality has been a long-standing open issue. While the base of the IMF (0.1 to 1 Msun) may result from Jeans-like fragmentation of interstellar filaments, the problem of how the most extreme stellar objects (brown dwarfs, intermediate- and high-mass stars) build up their masses remains unsettled. The high-sensitivity and fast mapping capability of the NIKA2 camera offer the unique opportunity to detect large populations of low-brightness sources, and probe star-forming regions as never before. We propose to use this new instrument to: i. perform a complete survey of pre-brown-dwarf cores in two nearby star-forming regions, ii. map the intertwined populations of interstellar filaments and intermediate to high-mass cores within rich galactic plane star-forming regions; iii. use the dual band capability of NIKA2 at 1.2mm and 2mm to constrain the dust properties in a broad range of environments and reduce mass uncertainties by a factor of 3. Altogether, these observations will provide new insight on the earliest stages of star formation across both ends of the stellar IMF.

  • The NIKA2 Cosmological Legacy Survey (N2CLS) (192-16) PIs: Guilaine Lagache, Alexandre Beelen, Nicolas Ponthieu Abstract: Using 300h of the NIKA2 Guaranteed Time, we will map the star formation at high redshift in two of the most popular fields. N2CLS will reach for the first time the confusion noise at the 30m, in 160 square arcminutes in GOODS-N. In COSMOS, N2CLS sensitivity will at least match or outperform the sensitivity of the S2CLS survey at 850 microns on 0.5 square degree. N2CLS will detect hundreds of dust-obscured optically-faint galaxies during their major episodes of formation in the early universe. It will fully open a new window on the faint and high-redshift dusty Universe and answer the outstanding issue of whether dusty star-formation contributes to early galaxy evolution. It will uniquely probe the transition at z~3-4 of the cosmic star-formation history between the predominantly unobscured growth in the early Universe and the obscured star formation, driven by the build-up of the most massive galaxies during the peak of cosmic assembly. The availability of this uniquely large sample of mm-selected galaxies with superb supporting multi-wavelength data will provide the opportunity to address the history of star formation, dust production and the growth of large-scale structures.

  • High-resolution tSZ observations of a large sample of clusters of galaxies (NIKA2SZ) (199-16) PIs: Frédéric Mayet, Laurence Perotto Homepage: NIKA2LPSZ Abstract: The development of precision cosmology with clusters of galaxies requires high angular resolution observations to extend the understanding of galaxy clusters towards high redshift. The NIKA2 camera at the IRAM 30 m telescope is the only instrument currently in operation that is suited for this kind of observations, given its resolution, sensitivity and dual-band observation capability. We intend to observe a large sample of clusters of galaxies at high redshift (0.5 < z < 0.9), selected from the Planck and ACT catalogs. We have formed a representative cluster sample for redshift evolution and cosmological studies, with a homogeneous coverage in cluster mass as reconstructed from the integrated Compton parameter. We will use the SZ-dedicated pipeline that we have developed for the SZ observation with the NIKA camera. Our primary objective is to produce unprecedented high-quality deliverables (tSZ maps and pressure profiles) for all clusters of the sample. NIKA2 data will be complemented with ancillary data including X-ray, optical and radio observations. The full dataset will lead to significant improvements on the use of clusters of galaxies to draw cosmological constraints.

• Phase II

  • Interpreting the Millimetre Emission of Galaxies with IRAM and NIKA (IMEGIN) (160-16) PI is Suzanne Madden Abstract: The mm part of the spectrum is one of the least explored parts of a galaxy’s spectral energy distribution (SED), yet it contains emission from three fundamentally important physical processes. These processes are thermal emission from dust, free-free emission from ionized gas and synchrotron emission from charged particles moving in the galactic magnetic field. We are proposing to use the NIKA2 camera to observe a sample of 22 nearby galaxies that also have considerable ancillary data across the SED from the radio to the ultra-violet. We will investigate the dust emissivity, the relationship between the three physical processes and their relation to star formation and the gas-to-dust ratio. As the sample galaxies are of large angular size we will be able to carry out this project in a spatially resolved way and hence investigate the different environments found within galaxies.

  • Probing the B-Field in star-forming Filaments Using NIKA2-Pol (B-FUN) (015-17) PI: Philippe Andre Abstract: Recent Herschel and Planck observations of Galactic interstellar clouds support a paradigm of star formation in which magnetized filaments play a central role. Herschel results indicate that most cores/stars form in dense, supercritical filaments of ~0.1 pc width, and Planck polarization data suggest that the formation and evolution of these filaments is largely controlled by magnetic fields. The low resolution of Planck polarization data is however insufficient to probe individual cores along filaments and understand the role of B fields in filament evolution and fragmentation. To make decisive progress in this area, we propose a 1.2 mm polarimetric imaging survey with NIKA2-POL of ~8 nearby star-forming filaments spanning a range of line masses from marginally supercritical to highly supercritical. The proposed observations will constrain the role of magnetic fields in channeling matter from filaments to prestellar cores and will determine whether the B field remains roughly perpendicular to the filaments, as observed by Planck on larger scales, or becomes more parallel to the filaments in their dense interior, which would have profound implications for core formation.

Publications

• Astronomical papers:
  • NIKA2

    • Katsiola et al., 2025, Resolved ISM properties and scaling relations in the barred galaxy NGC 3627: constraints from NIKA2 observations, MNRAS, accepted arxiv

    • Schneider et al., 2025, Filamentary accretion flows in high-mass star-forming clouds, A&A, accepted arxiv

    • Gigli et al., 2025, CHEMOUT: CHEMical complexity in star-forming regions of the OUTer Galaxy. V. Chemical composition gradients as a function of the Galactocentric radius, A&A, accepted arxiv]

    • Rizzo et al, 2025, Millimetre continuum from LBV stars and their environs. NIKA2 observations and Virtual Observatory data, A&A, accepted arxiv

    • Berta et al., 2025, A panchromatic view of N2CLS GOODS-N: The evolution of the dust cosmic density since z∼7, A&A, 696, A193 ADS

    • Andreon et al., 2025, The uncommon intracluster medium features of the first massive clusters selected independently of their baryon content, MNRAS, 536, 3466 ADS

    • Ejlali et al., 2024, Interpreting Millimeter Emission from IMEGIN galaxies NGC 2146 and NGC 2976, A&A, 693, A88 ADS

    • Adam et al., 2024, The XXL Survey. LI. Pressure profile and YSZ − M scaling relation in three low-mass galaxy clusters at z ∼ 1 observed with NIKA2, A&A, 684A, 18, ADS

    • Bing et al. 2024, Faint mm NIKA2 dusty star-forming galaxies: Finding the high-redshift population, A&A, 683A, 232, ADS

    • Rigby et al. 2024, The dynamic centres of infrared-dark clouds and the formation of cores, MNRAS, 528, 1172 ADS

    • Beuther et al. 2023, Density distributions, magnetic field structures and fragmentation in high-mass star formation, A&A, 682A, 81 ArXiv ADS

    • Bing et al. 2023, NIKA2 Cosmological Legacy Survey: Survey Description and Galaxy Number Counts, A&A, 677A, 66 ArXiv ADS

    • Katsioli et al. 2023, NGC891 seen at millimeter wavelengths, A&A, 679, A7 ArXivADS

    • Scibelli et al. 2023, 3D Radiative Transfer Modelling and Virial Analysis of Starless Cores in the B10 Region of the Taurus Molecular Cloud, MNRAS, 521, 4579 ArXiv, ADS

    • Sai et al. 2022, Which Part of Dense Cores Feeds Material to Protostars? The Case of L1489 IRS, A&A, 925, 12 ADS

    • Muñoz-Echeverría et al. 2022, Multi-probe analysis of the galaxy cluster CL J1226.9+3332: Hydrostatic mass and hydrostatic-to-lensing bias,A&A, 671A, 28, ADS

    • Rose et al. 2022, The variability of brightest cluster galaxies at high radio frequencies, MNRAS, 509, 2869 ADS

    • Lestrade et al. 2022, Candidate cosmic filament in the GJ526 field, mapped with the NIKA2 camera, A&A, 667, A23 ADS

    • Ferragamo et al. 2022, Comparison of hydrostatic and lensing cluster mass estimates: A pilot study in MACS J0647.7+7015, ADS

    • Gianfagna et al. 2021, Exploring the hydrostatic mass bias in MUSIC clusters: application to the NIKA2 mock sample, MNRAS, 502, 5115 ADS

    • Rigby et al. 2021, GASTON: Galactic Star Formation with NIKA2. Evidence for the mass growth of star-forming clumps, ArXiv MNRAS, 502, 4576

    • Luppe et al. 2021, Observability of dusty debris discs around M-stars, MNRAS, 499, 3932 ADS

    • Ricci et al. 2020, The XXL Survey. XLIV. Sunyaev-Zel'dovich mapping of a low-mass cluster at z ∼ 1: a multi-wavelength approach, A&A, 642, A126 ADS

    • Keruzore et al. 2020, Exploiting NIKA2/XMM-Newton imaging synergy for intermediate-mass high-z galaxy clusters within the NIKA2 SZ large program. Observations of ACT-CL J0215.4+0030 at z ˜ 0.9, A&A, 644, A93 ADS

    • Torne et al. 2020, Detection of the magnetar XTE J1810-197 at 150 and 260 GHz with the NIKA2 kinetic inductance detector camera, A&A, 640, L2 ADS

    • Ruppin et al. 2020, Unveiling the Merger Dynamics of the Most Massive MaDCoWS Cluster at z = 1.2 from a Multiwavelength Mapping of Its Intracluster Medium Properties, ApJ

    • Ruppin et al. 2018, First Sunyaev-Zel'dovich mapping with NIKA2: implication of cluster substructures on the pressure profile and mass estimate, A&A, 2018, 26, 615, astro-ph

  • NIKA2 conference proceedings

    • Conference proceedings of mm Universe 2023 - Observing the Universe at mm Wavelengths

    • Conference proceedings of mm Universe 2021 @ NIKA2 - Observing the mm Universe with the NIKA2 Camera

    • Conference proceedings of mm Universe 2019 @ NIKA2 - Observing the mm Universe with the NIKA2 Camera

    • Bonnefoy et al. 2024, Microwave spectra of the leading and trailing hemispheres of Iapetus, ADSICARUS

    • Bonnefoy et al. 2019, Millimetric thermal emission from the two faces of Iapetus, ADS

  • NIKA

    • Sicilia-Aguilar et al. 2019, IRAM and Gaia views of multi-episodic star formation in IC 1396A The origin and dynamics of the Class 0 protostar at the edge of an HII region, A&A (622, 118) ADS

    • Adam et al. 2018, Sub-structure and merger detection in resolved NIKA Sunyaev-Zel'dovich images of distant clusters, A&A (614, A118)

    • Romero et al. 2018, A multi-instrument non-parametric reconstruction of the electron pressure profile in the galaxy cluster CLJ1226.9+3332, A&A (613, 39)

    • Rigby, A., Peretto, N., et al. 2018, A NIKA view of two star-forming infrared dark clouds: Dust emissivity variations and mass concentration, astro-ph A&A, 615, A18

    • Ritacco, A., Macías Pérez, J.-F., Ponthieu, N. et al. 2018, NIKA 150 GHz polarization observations of the Crab nebula and its spectral energy distribution, A&A, 616, A35

    • Adam et al. 2017, Mapping the hot gas temperature in galaxy clusters using X-ray and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich imaging, A&A, 606, 64 ADS

    • Bracco et al. 2017, Probing changes of dust properties along a chain of solar-type prestellar and protostellar cores in Taurus with NIKA, A&A, 604, 52 ADS

    • Ritacco, A., Ponthieu, N, Catalano, A., et al., 2017, Polarimetry at millimeter wavelengths with the NIKA camera: calibration and performance, A&A, 599, A34, ADS

    • Chacon-Tanarro et al. 2017, Search for grain growth towards the center of L1544, A&A, 606, A142 ADS

    • Ruppin, F., Adam, R., Comis, B., et al. 2016, Non parametric deprojection of NIKA SZ observations: pressure distribution in the Planck-discovered cluster PSZ1 G045.85+57.71, A&A, in press ADS

    • Adam, R., Bartalucci, I., Pratt, G. W., et al. 2016, Mapping the kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect toward MACS J0717.5+3745 with NIKA, A&A, ADS

    • Adam, R., Comis, B., Bartalucci, I., et al. 2016, High angular resolution Sunyaev-Zel'dovich observations of MACS J1423.8+2404 with NIKA: Multiwavelength analysis, A&A, 586, 122 ADS

    • Adam, R., Comis, B., Macias-Perez, J.-F., et al., 2015, Pressure distribution of the high-redshift cluster of galaxies CL J1226.9+3332 with NIKA, A&A, 576, A12 ADS

    • Adam, R., Comis, B., Macias-Perez, J.-F, et al., 2014, First observation of the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect with kinetic inductance detectors, A&A, 569, 66 ADS

  • NIKA related papers

    • Aumont, J., Macías Pérez, J.-F., Ritacco, A., Ponthieu, N., Mangilli, A., 2018, Absolute calibration of the polarisation angle for future CMB B-mode experiments from current and future measurements of the Crab nebula, (submitted to A&A) arxiv

    • Chastenet et al., 2022, SOFIA/HAWC+ observations of the Crab Nebula: dust properties from polarized emission, MNRAS, 516,4229 ADS

• Instrument/detectors papers:
  • NIKA2

    • Perotto et al. 2020, Calibration and Performance of the NIKA2 camera at the IRAM 30-meter Telescope, arxiv A&A

    • Adam et al. 2018, The NIKA2 large field-of-view millimeter continuum camera for the 30-m IRAM telescope, arxiv A&A

    • Catalano et al. 2016, The NIKA2 commissioning campaign: performance and first results, arxiv

    • Calvo et al. 2016, The NIKA2 instrument, a dual-band kilopixel KID array for millimetric astronomy, arxiv

  • NIKA

    • Bourrion et al. 2016, NIKEL_AMC: Readout electronics for the NIKA2 experiment, arxiv

    • Ritacco et al. 2016, First polarised light with the NIKA camera, JLTP, Volume 184, Issue 3-4, pp. 724-732, 08/2016 arxiv

    • Goupy et al. 2016, Microfabrication technology for large LEKID arrays : from NIKA2 to future applications, arxiv

    • Monfardini et al. 2014, Latest NIKA Results and the NIKA-2 Project, JLTP 176, 787, arxiv

    • Catalano et al. 2014, Performance and calibration of the NIKA camera at the IRAM 30 m telescope, A&A 569, A9, arxiv

    • Calvo et al. 2013, Improved mm-wave photometry for kinetic inductance detectors, A&A, 551, L12 ADS

    • Bourrion et al. 2012, NIKEL: Electronics and data acquisition for kilopixels kinetic inductance camera, Journal of Instrumentation, 7, 07, pp. 7014. arXiv

    • Monfardini et al. 2011, A Dual-band Millimeter-wave Kinetic Inductance Camera for the IRAM 30 m Telescope, ApJS, 194, 2, article id. 24. arXiv

    • Internal list of technical papers

• Ph.D. thesis:

  • Aurélien Bideaud (2007-2010) - NEEL - Supervisors: A. Benoit and F.-X. Desert - Development of a camera for millimeter-wave radioastronomy.

  • Markus Roesch (2010 - 2013) - IRAM - Supervisors: K. Schuster and M. Siegel - Development of lumped element kinetic inductance detectors for mm-wave astronomy at the IRAM 30m telescope.

  • Antonio D’Addabbo (2011 - 2014) - NEEL - Supervisors: A. Monfardini and P. de Bernardis - Applications of Kinetic Inductance Detectors to Astronomy and Particle Physics.

  • Rémi Adam (2012-2015) - LPSC - Advisors: J.F. Macías-Pérez and F.X. Désert - Observation of galaxy clusters via the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect and the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (in French).

  • Grégoire Coiffard (2012 - 2015) - IRAM - Supervisor: K. Schuster - Development of kinetic inductance detectors for millimeter astronomy and related problems in material science and process technology.

  • Alessia Ritacco (2013-2016) - LPSC - Advisors: J.F. Macías-Pérez, Alessandro Monfardini, Andrea Catalan and Nicolas Ponthieu - Polarimetry at millimeter wavelengths with the instruments NIKA and NIKA2.

  • Florian Ruppin (2016 - 2018) - LPSC - Supervisor: F. Mayet - Cosmology from Sunyaev-Zel’dovich observations of galaxy clusters with the NIKA2.

  • Shibo Shu (2017 - 2019) - IRAM - Supervisors: K. Schuster and E. Driessen - Large format LEKID arrays for millimeter-wave astronomy.

  • Aina Andrianasolo (2017 - 2019) - IPAG - Supervisors: F.-X. Desert and N. Ponthieu - Measuring the sky polarization with KIDS on the ground with NIKA2 and preparing satellite observations.

  • Florian Kéruzoré (2019 - 2021) - LPSC - Supervisors: F. Mayet - Cosmologie à partir des observations Sunyaev-Zeldovich d’amas de galaxies avec NIKA2.

  • Miren Muñoz Echevarría (2021 - 2023) - LPSC - Supervisors: J.F. Macías-Pérez - Cosmologie multi-longueur d'onde avec les amas de galaxies.

  • Corentin Hanser (2022 - 2024) - LPSC - Supervisors: L. Perotto - Cosmologie avec les amas de galaxies dans l'expérience NIKA2.

• Talks:

  • Alessia Ritacco, November 2016, Polarimetry at Millimeter wavelengths with NIKA and NIKA2 ritacco-seminar-nika2-nov2016.pdf

  • Many more talks in the dedicated private wiki table

• NIKA2 publications list maintained at IPAG

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Information for Observers & Technical Documentation

• Observations

  • Pool observations provides information on the observing modes offered for NIKA2 and examples of the scripts that you must prepare to observe your project.

  • Observing session provides an example of a typical session with NIKA2 at the 30m telescope.

  • Pointing sources and calibrators provides a list of pointing sources and calibrators.

  • Polarimetric observations provides information for observers on how to conduct observations. In addition, it lists how to change between total power mode to polarimetry mode and vice versa.

  • 30m Telescope Science Portal provides more general informations about the 30m telescope to science users (links to Observatory status, Schedules, Observing runs, Safety, Weather, Observing time estimator, and so on.)

• Data reduction

  • PIIC software.

  • IDL pipeline

• Cryostat & Electronics & PIMP

  • Pulse Tube Adjustment, M.Calvo, Jan-2017

  • Guide to replace electronic boxes for thermometer readout

  • Instrument-related documentation page

  • Documentation on Cryostat, Cooling procedure, etc. by the Granada Receiver Group (internal)

  • NIKA2 Bandpasses

    • Measured bandpasses

    • Martin Puplett interferometer (PIMP)

• Network

  • Computer Network, M.Calvo, June-2017

  • Remote network access to nika2-a computer

• Acquisition and tuning

  • Data Acquisition: HOWTO, M.Calvo, Feb-2017

  • Data Acquisition V1: Recovery, M.Calvo, Mar-2018

  • Data Acquisition V2: Recovery, M.Calvo, Oct-2018

  • Tuning procedure and data flagging description, M.Calvo, Feb-2016

  • Checking Noise traces

Science runs (October 2017 - March 2026)

• See the progress of observations in the Pool data base and in TAPAS. Both databases are synchronized and can be used to write/read a logsheet.

Current Semester: Winter 2025

• 9-16 December 2025 - w25 Pool #1 [= Cryo Run 89, 77^th of NIKA2]

  • Observers and staff at the telescope

  • Daily Reports

• 6-13 January 2026 - w25 Pool #2 [= Cryo Run 90, 78^th of NIKA2]

  • Observers and staff at the telescope

  • Daily Reports

• 13-20 January 2026 - w25 Pool #3 [= Cryo Run 90, 78^th of NIKA2]

  • Observers and staff at the telescope

  • Daily Reports

• 20-27 January 2026 - w25 Pool #4 [= Cryo Run 90, 78^th of NIKA2]

  • Observers and staff at the telescope

  • Daily Reports

• 10-17 February 2026 - w25 Pool #5 [= Cryo Run 91, 79^th of NIKA2]

  • Observers and staff at the telescope

  • Daily Reports

• 17-24 February 2026 - w25 Pool #6 [= Cryo Run 91, 79^th of NIKA2]

  • Observers and staff at the telescope

  • Daily Reports

• 24 Feb.-3 Mar. 2026 - w25 Pool #7 [= Cryo Run 91, 79^th of NIKA2]

  • Observers and staff at the telescope

  • Daily Reports

Previous Semester: Summer 2025

• 21-28 October 2025 - s25 Pool #1 [= Cryo Run 87, 75^th of NIKA2]

  • Observers and staff at the telescope

  • Daily Reports

• 11-18 November 2025 - s25 Pool #2 [= Cryo Run 88, 76^th of NIKA2]

  • Observers and staff at the telescope

  • Daily Reports

• 18-25 November 2025 - s25 Pool #3 [= Cryo Run 88, 76^th of NIKA2]

  • Observers and staff at the telescope

  • Daily Reports

Older Semesters

• Science Runs Winter 2024

• Science Runs Summer 2024

• Science Runs Winter 2023

• No science observations in Summer 2023 due to 30m telescope upgrade (Cryo Run 76, 64^th of NIKA2 for testing & telescope commissioning)

• Science Runs Winter 2022

• Science Runs Summer 2022

• Science Runs Winter 2021

• Science Runs Summer 2021

• Science Runs Winter 2020

• Science Runs Summer 2020

• Science Runs Winter 2019

• Science Runs Summer 2019

• Science Runs Winter 2018

• Science Runs Summer 2018

• Science Runs Winter 2017

• Previously accepted projects in open time.

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Commissioning & special test runs

• History_of_optical_and_radio_alignments_of_NIKA2.pdf

Phase I [total power] (October 2015 - April 2017)

• 1^st run of NIKA2 (test): 29-October-2015 till 10-November-2015. Installation, cool down at the 30m, testing/debugging/developing. Alignment. [= Run 13 of a NIKA instrument ; numbering useful for analysis software, count numbers of cooling down the cryostat <=> Cryo Run]

  • Go to the 1st run Wiki page

  • Private Wiki detailing the organization of the run and the instrument characterization plan

• 2^nd run of NIKA2 (test): 24-November-2015 till 02-December-2015. Continue tests started during run 1, in particular Beam maps and NEFD with the 13 NIKEL boards assembled the last days of run 1. [= Run 14 of a NIKA instrument <=> Cryo Run 14]

  • Go to the 2nd run Wiki page

• 3^rd run of NIKA2 (test): 12-January-2016 till 01-February-2016. Implementation of new NIKEL boards; the 20 data lines of NIKA2 are foreseen to be plugged simultaneously. With the 3 arrays fully read, continue and redo tests started with runs 1 & 2, in particular Beam maps and NEFD. [= Run 15 of a NIKA instrument]

  • Go to the 3rd run Wiki page

• 4^th run of NIKA2 (test): 1-March-2016 till 15-March-2016. Continue tests started with previous runs, in particular investigate deeper beam patterns (XY focus, beam maps), synchronization, array 1 & 3 performances vs electronic boards, NEFD, mapping strategies. [= Run 16 of a NIKA instrument]

  • Go to the 4th run Wiki page

• Dark run: 4-May-2016. Test sensitivity of NIKA2 to external electromagnetic perturbations, with the entrance window of the cryostat closed. [= Run 17 of a NIKA instrument]

• 5^th run of NIKA2 (test): 16-September-2016 till 11-October-2016. Upgrade NIKA2 with new dichroic, new corrugated lenses, new 2mm array, new NIKEL boards (get the 20 lines with homogeneous electronics, v3); redo better the tests started with previous runs (mostly beam maps in best weather conditions, but also various types of scan to investigate deeper beams and noise, synchronization, NEFD, skydips, mapping strategies, possibly polarization. (window not changed due to defects on new one). Alignment. [= Run 18 of a NIKA instrument]

  • Go to the 5th run Wiki page

• 6^th run of NIKA2 (test): 25-October-2016 till 1-November-2016. Continue NIKA2 commissioning. [= Run 19 of a NIKA instrument]

  • Go to the 6th run Wiki page

• 7^th run of NIKA2 (test): 6-December-2016 till 13-December-2016. Test DRO based external calibrator, continue NIKA2 commissioning. [= Run 20 of a NIKA instrument]

  • Go to the 7th run Wiki page

• 8^th run of NIKA2 (test): 9-January-2017 to 13-January-2017, then 23-January to 27-January. Reverse 1mm bands 0.1K lenses to smooth version + adjust fixation of cold mirrors block (M7-M8) to get better radio alignment of the internal optics (degraded during run 5 intervention), short test on sky to see effect of the intervention. [= Run 21 of a NIKA instrument]

  • Go to the 8th run Wiki page

• 9^th run of NIKA2 (test): 21-February-2017 to 28-February-2017. Resume NIKA2 commissioning after run 8 intervention. [= Run 22 of a NIKA instrument]

  • Go to the 9th run Wiki page

• 10^th run of NIKA2 (test): 18-April-2017 to 25-April-2017. End of commissioning phase 1, science verification. [= Cryo Run 23]

  • Go to the 10th run Wiki page

Phase II [Polarization, Tests] (June 2017 - September 2021)

• 11^th run of NIKA2 (test): 8-June-2017 to 13-June-2017. Start commissioning phase 2: polarization. [= Cryo Run 24]

  • Go to the 11th run Wiki page

• 13^th run of NIKA2 (test): 21-November-2017 to 28-November-2017. (Alignment done in run 12). Continuation of commissioning in polarization mode. [= Cryo Run 26]

  • Go to the 13th run Wiki page

• 16^th run of NIKA2 (test): 6 to 13-March-2018. Continuation of commissioning in polarization mode. [= Cryo Run 29] (Run lost due to bad weather)

  • Go to the 16th run Wiki page

• 19^th run of NIKA2 (test): 12 to 17-June-2018. Continuation of commissioning in polarisation mode (redo run 16 lost due to bad weather). + Spectral characterization with a Martin Puplett (named PIMP): 18 to 22 June 2018. [= Cryo Run 32]

  • Go to the 19th run Wiki page

• Change of dichroic and entrance window: 27 to 29-August-2018. Results of June's PIMP measurement; remove 2nd dichroic and install 3rd dichroic; preparation of PIMP upgrade.

  • Go to the Wiki page

• 20^th and 21^st run of NIKA2 (test): 5-6 September (N2R20) and 18 to 25-September-2018 (N2R21). Performance characterization after replacement of the dichroic. [Sep 5-6 dichroic = Cryo Run 33 ; Sep 5-6 polar = Cryo Run 34; Sep 18-25 = Cryo Run 35] Because dichroic no.3 showed problems, the 2nd dichroic was re-installed between 5-6 September and 18-25 September. We are continuing with dichroic no.2..

  • Go to the 20th and 21st runs Wiki page

• 25^th run of NIKA2 (test): 04 to 11-December-2018. Continuation of polarisation commissioning. [ = Cryo Run 39]

  • Go to the 25th run Wiki page

• 31^st run of NIKA2 (test): 16 and 17-May-2019. Short DAQ v3 tests. Sep 6: Checks and tests in preparation for the IRAM School (Sep 7-10); (not really a test run) [ = Cryo Run 45]

  • Go to the 31st run Wiki page

• 32^nd run of NIKA2 (test): 7 to 10-September-2019. Sep 7-10 use of NIKA2 at the 9th IRAM 30m Summerschool; (not really a test run) [ = Cryo Run 46]

  • Go to the 32nd run Wiki page

• 33^rd run of NIKA2 (test): Sep 11th 2019 tests of DAQ v3 in preparation of commissioning run. 17 to 24-September-2019. Updated DAQ v3 tests, PIMP, external calibrator, polarization. [ = Cryo Run 47]

  • Go to the 33rd run Wiki page

• 42^nd run of NIKA2 (test): Feb 25th - Mar 3rd 2020. (Alignment done just before run 38, and re-checked here). Polarimetry commissioning [ = Cryo Run 54]

  • Go to the 42nd run Wiki page

• 44^th run of NIKA2 (test): Aug 6th - Aug 29th 2020. Summer testing festival [ = Cryo Run 56]. Telescope stopped.

  • Go to the 44th run Wiki page

• 46^th run of NIKA2 (test): Nov 10-17 2020. Polarimetry commissioning [ = Cryo Run 58].

  • Go to the 46th run Wiki page

• 53^rd run of NIKA2 (test): Jul 9 2021. A2 recent excess noise investigation. [= Cryo Run 65]

  • Go to the 53th run Wiki page

• 54^th run of NIKA2 (test): Sep 21-25 2021. New Sweep, Check up before pool, Polarization tests including external calibrator source [ = Cryo Run 66].

  • Go to the 54th run Wiki page

Phase III [Commmissioning after upgrade of 30m servo system & new paint layer of M1] (January & August to September 2024)

• 64^th run of NIKA2 (test): Jan 22-29 2024. Commissioning tests of the new servo-system with NIKA2 [ = Cryo Run 76].

  • Go to the 64th run Wiki page

• 67^th run of NIKA2 (test): Aug 12-25 2024. M1-new paint layer tests with NIKA2 [ = Cryo Run 79].

  • Go to the 67th run Wiki page

• 67^th run (pol) of NIKA2 (test): Sep 24-Oct 1 2024. COSMOCal tests [ = Cryo Run 79].

  • Go to the 67th run (pol) Wiki page

Phase IV [NIKA2 upgrade & Re-commissioning] (March to October 2025)

• Upgrade works: Mar 3-11 2025.

  • Go to upgrading Wiki page

• 72^nd run of NIKA2: Mar 18-25 plus Mar 30 - Apr 1, 2025. Re-commissioning [ = Cryo Run 84].

  • Go to the 72nd run Wiki page

• 73^rd run of NIKA2: Jun 10-12 plus 16-18, 2025. Box-C LNA replacement & Re-commissioning (2nd part) [ = Cryo Run 85].

  • Go to the 73rd run Wiki page

• 74^th run of NIKA2: Jul 12-13, 2025. Re-commissioning (3rd part) [ = Cryo Run 86].

  • Go to the 74th run Wiki page

• 75^th run of NIKA2: Oct 14-21, 2025. Re-commissioning (4th part) [ = Cryo Run 87].

  • Go to the 75th run Wiki page

Support teams

• Overall coordinators:

  • Stefano Berta (IRAM/Grenoble, <berta@iram.fr>)

  • Samuel Leclercq (IRAM/Grenoble, <leclercq@iram.fr>)

• NIKA2 team:

  • Alessandro Monfardini <monfardini@neel.cnrs.fr> (PI, IN, instrument)

  • Martino Calvo <martino.calvo@neel.cnrs.fr> (IN, instrument)

  • François-Xavier Désert <francois-xavier.desert@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr> (IPAG, data processing)

  • Nicolas Ponthieu <nicolas.ponthieu@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr> (IPAG, data processing)

  • Juan Macias-Perez <macias@lpsc.in2p3.fr> (LPSC, aquisition, LP coordinator)

  • Andrea Catalano <catalano@lpsc.in2p3.fr> (LPSC, instrument)

  • Laurence Perotto <laurence.perotto@lpsc.in2p3.fr> (LPSC, commissioning coordination, data processing)

  • Alessia Ritacco <alessia.ritacco@lpsc.in2p3.fr> (LPSC, polarization)

  • Olivier Bourrion <olivier.bourrion@lpsc.in2p3.fr> (LPSC, electronics)

  • Former members: Alain Benoit (IN), Johannes Goupy (IN)

• IRAM/Granada NIKA2 support team:

  • Miguel Sanchez (30m Station Manager, <msanchez@iram.es>)

  • Albrecht Sievers (IMBfits/Data, NCS/pako, <sievers@iram.es>)

  • Antonio J. Vázquez, Jean Tedros, Pablo Mellado (IMBfits data, Computers/Network, <avazquez@iram.es>, <jtedros@iram.es>, <mellado@iram.es>)

  • Dave John (Cryostat, <john@iram.es>)

  • Angel Bongiovanni, Ioannis Myserlis, Stergios Amarantidis (NIKA2 Pool Managing, <bongio@iram.es>, <imyserlis@iram.es>, <samarant@iram.es>)

  • Former members: Santiago Navarro (Cryostat), Bilal Ladjelate (former postdoc of IRAM/Granada and Pool manager until April 2021)

• IRAM/Grenoble NIKA2 support team:

  • Samuel Leclercq (Coordinator, Optics <leclercq@iram.fr>)

  • Stefano Berta (Coordinator, Data processing Software piic, <berta@iram.fr>)

  • Eduard Driessen (Detectors, <driessen@iram.fr>)

  • Carsten Kramer (Science Coordinator of the 30m telescope, <kramer@iram.fr>)

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Created: 2015.AUG.05 by Israel Hermelo. This page is maintained by AR, SL, CK, and the NIKA2 team.