In February 1998 the Bolometer Development Group of the MPIfR successfully installed their 7-element array bolometer operating at 2mm wavelength. It was the first time this instrument had been used at a telescope. Using dilution refridgerator technology, the array was cooled down to 50mK, thus improving the sensitivity compared to 300mK ³He systems.

It was the first time an array receiver had been used at the SMTO. The array was used throughout February 1998 to map dust in dark clouds (L. Reichertz, E. Kreysa, J. Gromke, W. Esch, R. Stark).