Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Wavelength Standard Reference Materials (SRMs)

typical wavelength reference standard

Figure 1. Typical Wavelength Reference Standard

The Applied Physics Division provides several types of Wavelength Reference Cells. A typical cell is depicted in Figure 1 and a typical absorption spectrum is depicted in figure 2. The absorption spectrum is realized by illuminating a cell at its operational wavelength by a tunable fiber coupled laser source and measuring the spectra with appropriate spectrographic instrumentation, typically a fiber coupled wave-meter or optical spectrum analyzer.

normalized spectrum of hydrogen cyanide
Figure 2. Normalized spectrum of the hydrogen cyanide H13C14N 2v3 rotational-vibrational band obtained by scanning a tunable diode laser and measuring the laser power transmitted through an SRM 2519a absorption cell.

The primary documentation associated with an SRM is its certificate. This provides customers with sufficient information to know whether the SRM will meet their calibration and/or traceability needs, to understand its proper use along with storage and aging considerations, and to understand the basis for the statement of certified values and associated uncertainties. The documentation also provides a thorough technical basis for the SRM or provides references to where that information is available.

Select one of the SRMs described in the table below for more information including price, ordering information, an example certificate, and other supporting documentation. Please contact Bill Swann (bill.swann [at] nist.gov (bill[dot]swann[at]nist[dot]gov)) for additional information.

Table 1. Available Wavelength Reference Standards

SRM # Name Brief Description Order Info
2514 Wavelength Reference for 1560-1595 nm - Carbon Monoxide (12C16O) Fiber-coupled molecular gas absorption cell with absorption lines in the WDM- L-Band between 1560 and 1595 nm https://www-s.nist.gov/srmors/view_detail.cfm?srm=2514
2515 Wavelength Reference for 1595-1630 nm - Carbon Monoxide (13C16O) Fiber-coupled molecular gas absorption cell with absorption lines in the WDM- L-Band between 1595 and 1630 nm https://www-s.nist.gov/srmors/view_detail.cfm?srm=2515
2517a High Resolution Wavelength Calibration Reference for 1510–1540 nm Acetylene 12C2H2 Fiber-coupled molecular gas absorption cell with narrow absorption lines between 1510 and 1540 nm https://www-s.nist.gov/srmors/view_detail.cfm?srm=2517A
2519a  High Resolution Wavelength Calibration Reference for 1530 nm - 1565 nm Hydrogen Cyanide H13C14N Fiber-coupled molecular gas absorption cell with narrow absorption lines between 1530 and 1565 nm https://www-s.nist.gov/srmors/view_detail.cfm?srm=2519A

Resources

For quotes, inquiries, and shipping information:

NIST Office of Reference Materials
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2300
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2300
Phone: 301-975-2200
Fax: 301-948-3730
E-mail: srminfo [at] nist.gov (srminfo[at]nist[dot]gov)

 

For technical information:

Bill Swann
Applied Physics Division
Phone: 303-497-7381
E-mail: william.swann [at] nist.gov (william[dot]swann[at]nist[dot]gov)

 

For information about other NIST calibration services:

Calibration Administrators
Physical Measurement Laboratory
E-mail: calibrations [at] nist.gov (calibrations[at]nist[dot]gov)

 

Created January 21, 2011, Updated June 2, 2021