SZ surveys with the Arcminute MicroKelvin Imager

The Arcminute MicroKelvin Imager (AMI) is an instrument currently under construction in Cambridge designed to produce a survey of galaxy clusters via the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effect. It consists of two interferometric arrays, both operating at 12-18 GHz; one of ten 3.7-m antennas to provide good temperature sensitivity to arcminute-scale structures, and one of eight 13-m antennas (the present Ryle Telescope) to provide flux sensitivity for removing contaminating radio sources. The telescope is due to be observing by 2003, and will produce a public survey of galaxy clusters, as well as being available to guest observers.