Developments of multi frequency receivers with shared optical paths are bringing new scientific and technological opportunities to Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). Operations at frequencies above 22 GHz, thanks to the technique of frequency phase transfer (FPT), are becoming feasible at sites with ordinary atmospheric conditions, as shown by the performance of the Korean VLBI Network (KVN). Several telescopes in Europe, including the three INAF radio telescopes, are in the process of developing or installing three-band (22/43/86 GHz) receivers. Combined with source-frequency phase referencing (SFPR), this holds an exceptional discovery potential that would strongly impact a number of scientific fields, ranging from fundamental cosmology and black hole physics to stellar astrophysics and studies of transient phenomena.
This workshop aims at extending the activities started after the 2022 Bonn workshop. It will feature reports from the science and technology working groups, status updates from the institutes in the process of designing/installing/operating three-band receivers, an overview of the possible extension of the FPT technique to even higher frequencies, a series of reviews of the evolving multimessenger context, and ample discussion sessions devoted to science opportunities, technical development, and organisational challenges. We expect the meeting to foster international collaboration and exchanges, particularly by encouraging the engagement of the Italian community. The workshop also sets a goal of converging on a reference “baseline” configuration for a global array, to be taken as a reference for the development of science cases.
In addition to the above described sessions by invitation, we expect to be able to accommodate several contributed talks. Contributions are encouraged on scientific, technical, and organisational topics. Abstract submission will remain open until May 30 and we expect to announce the full workshop programme on July 1st.
Important Dates
- 2025 May 30: Abstract submission deadline
- 2025 July 1: Programme announcement
- 2025 September 26: Registration closes
- 2025 October 28-30: workshop in Bologna
- 2025 October 31: visit to Medicina radio telescopes
Logistics
There will be no registration fee. Coffee breaks and lunches will be provided, while a conference dinner will be organised but will be at each participant’s own expense. The workshop will take place at the CNR Research area in Bologna.
On the day after the sessions (Friday, October 31st), we will organise a visit to the Medicina radioastronomical station for interested participants. The Medicina station is undergoing major upgrades, with the installation of the active surface on the 32m dish that is currently underway, refurbishment of the Northern Cross, and preparation for the installation of a LOFAR 2.0 station. Please indicate your interest in the visit through the registration form.
Invited Speakers (to be confirmed)
- Pietro Bolli
- Marica Branchesi
- Richard Dodson
- Cristina Garcia Mirò
- Mareki Honma
- Giulia Illuminati
- Hiroshi Imai
- Taehyun Jung
- Wu Jiang
- Micheal Lindqvist
- Tuomas Savolainen
- Roberta Zanin
- Guangyao Zhao
Scientific Organising Committee
- John Conway
- Marcello Giroletti
- Federica Govoni
- Andrei Lobanov
- Maria Rioja
- Eduardo Ros
- Bong Won Sohn
- Corrado Trigilio
- Tiziana Venturi
Local Organising Committee
- Marcello Giroletti
- Rocco Lico
- Cristiana Spingola
- Matteo Stagni
- Alice Tabellini
- Tiziana Venturi
