First constraints on source counts at 350 μm

We have imaged a similar to 6 arcmin(2) region in the Bootes Deep Field using the 350 mu m-optimized second-generation Submillimeter High Angular Resolution Camera (SHARC II), achieving a peak 1 sigma sensitivity of similar to 5 mJy. We detect three sources above 3 sigma, and determine a spurious source detection rate of 1.09 in our maps. In the absence of 5 sigma detections, we rely on deep 24 mu m and 20 cm imaging to deduce which sources are most likely to be genuine, giving two real sources. From this we derive an integral source count of 0. 84(-0.61)(+1.39) sources arcmin(-2) at S > 13 mJy, which is consistent with 350 mu m source count models that have an IR-luminous galaxy population evolving with redshift. We use these constraints to consider the future for ground-based short-submillimeter surveys.