Abstract

Millimeter and submillimeter-wave observations provide important informations for the studies of atmospheric chemistry and of astrochemistry (molecular clouds, stars formation, galactic study, comets and cosmology). But, these observations depend strongly on instrumentation techniques and on the site quality. New techniques or higher detector performances result in unprecedented observations and sometimes, the observational needs drive developments of new detector technologies, for example, superconducting junctions (SIS mixers) because its high sensitivity in heterodyne detection in the millimeter and submillimeter wave range (100 GHz - 700 GHz), HEB (Hot Electron Bolometer) mixers which are being developed by several groups for application in THz observations. For the sub-millimetre wavelengths heterodyne receivers, the local oscillator (LO) is still a critical element. So far, solid state fundamental sources are not often powerful enough for most of the applications at millimetre or sub-millimetre waveleng : large efforts using new planar components (HBV) and integrated circuits or new technics (laser mixing) are now in progress in few groups. The new large projects as SOFIA, ISS, FIRST, ALMA,…for astronomy ; SMILES, EOS-MLS,…for aeronomy and other projects for the planetary science, will profit of the new technologies.