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In Search of Better Pressure Standards

Published

Author(s)

Jay H. Hendricks, Jacob E. Ricker, Patrick F. Egan, Gregory F. Strouse

Abstract

Based on highly accurate optical interferometry and fundamental quantum calculations, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the US are developing an improved definition of the SI unit for pressure that will consign the mercury manometer to history. The five-year project aims to fundamentally change the way the pascal is realized and disseminated, and will raise pressure standards to the level of other SI units based on fundamental constants and also offer a brand new way to redefine the kelvin.
Citation
Physics World
Volume
67
Issue
8

Keywords

pascal, Torr, pressure, vacuum, temperature, kelvin, dimensional, metrology, optical interferometry, Fabry–Pérot, interferometer, refractive index, quantum chemistry, SI, helium, air, mercury manometer

Citation

Hendricks, J. , Ricker, J. , Egan, P. and Strouse, G. (2014), In Search of Better Pressure Standards, Physics World, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=916352 (Accessed October 10, 2025)

Issues

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Created August 1, 2014, Updated February 19, 2017
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