Thermodynamic Metrology Group

The group mission is to advance the state of the art in measurement of thermodynamic quantities. We have active efforts in optics, nano-photonics, and quantum-based metrology along with traditional precision measurements to advance U.S. industry. We collaborate nationally and internationally, and engage in metrology education and outreach.

News and Updates

In Search for Dark Matter, New Fountain Design Could Become Wellspring of Answers

November 27, 2020

You can’t see it. You can’t feel it. But the substance scientists refer to as dark matter could account for five times as much “stuff” in the universe as the

Thermal MagIC: New NIST Project to Build Nano-Thermometers Could Revolutionize Temperature Imaging

October 9, 2020

Cheaper refrigerators? Stronger hip implants? A better understanding of human disease? All of these could be possible and more, someday, thanks to an ambitious

Tracking Lab-Grown Tissue With Light

December 12, 2019

Someday, doctors would like to grow limbs and other body tissue for soldiers who have lost arms in battle, children who need a new heart or liver, and many

No Longer Under Pressure: NIST Dismantles Giant Mercury Manometer

June 28, 2019

Video by: Jennifer Lauren Lee/NIST. Animations: Sean Kelley/NIST. Music: Blue Dot Sessions. Photos: Bruce Johnson and Jay Hendricks/NIST For the last 30 years

Projects and Programs

Platform for Realizing Integrated Molecule Experiments (PRIME)

PRIME (Platform for Realizing Integrated Molecule Experiments) aims to establish primary, quantum-based realizations for both the radiometric watt and kelvin

Humidity

The NIST Thermodynamic Metrology Group maintains and develops national standards of humidity (in the range 1 nmol/mol to 0.6 mol/mol of water concentration)

Hybrid Humidity Generator

NIST's new primary standard humidity generator, the Hybrid Humidity Generator (HHG), replaces the NIST 2-Pressure Humidity Generator, Mark 2 (2-P). The HHG

Realizing Pressure, Temperature, and Length using Optical Interferometry

This project aims to fundamentally change the methods for realizing and disseminating the SI units of pressure, temperature, and length. The underlying

Publications

Note: A Radio Frequency Voltage-Controlled Current Source for Quantum Spin Manipulation

October 19, 2020

Author(s)

Daniel S. Barker, Alessandro Restelli, James A. Fedchak, Julia K. Scherschligt, Stephen P. Eckel

We present a design for a wide-bandwidth, voltage-controlled current source that is easily integrated with radiofrequency magnetic field coils. Our design uses

Effect of thermal ballast loading on temperature stability of domestic refrigerators used for vaccine storage

July 8, 2020

Author(s)

Michal J. Chojnacky, Alexandra L. Rodriguez

Vaccine temperature control failures represent a significant public and private healthcare cost. Vaccines damaged by excessive heat or freezing lose their

Effect of Teflon® Transmittance on Sensitivity of Thermoluminescence Dosimeter Cards

May 20, 2020

Author(s)

Vyacheslav B. Podobedov, Carl C. Miller, Alexander Romanyukha, Andrew Hoy

Thermoluminescence dosimeter cards purchased by the United States Navy in recent years have different radiation sensitivities, e.g. they exhibit a different

On-chip Silicon Photonics Radiation Sensors

September 18, 2019

Author(s)

Nikolai N. Klimov, Zeeshan Ahmed, Lonnie T. Cumberland, Ileana M. Pazos, Ronald E. Tosh, Ryan P. Fitzgerald

We have examined the impact of cobalt-60-ray radiation up to 1 megagray (MGy) absorbed dose on silicon photonic devices. We do not find any systematic impact

Tools and Instruments

Facility for spectroradiometric calibrations (FASCAL 2)

FASCAL 2 facility is solely dedicated to spectral irradiance scale realizations and calibrations. The spectral irradiance standards are calibrated using a high

Facility for irradiance calibration using synchrotrons (FICUS)

The spectral irradiances of deuterium lamps from 200 nm to 400 nm are calibrated in the Facility for Irradiance Calibration Using Synchrotrons (FICUS) which is

Piston gauges and pressure transducers

Piston gauges are used to calibrate customer piston gauges and pressure sensing devices. Piston gauges are calibrated via a direct comparison to another piston

Low Pressure Gauges

NIST has developed best-in-the-world primary standard pressure measurement capabilities for pressures spanning the range of 0.01 Pa to 360 kPa through the

Thermodynamic Metrology Group

News and Updates

In Search for Dark Matter, New Fountain Design Could Become Wellspring of Answers

Thermal MagIC: New NIST Project to Build Nano-Thermometers Could Revolutionize Temperature Imaging

Tracking Lab-Grown Tissue With Light

No Longer Under Pressure: NIST Dismantles Giant Mercury Manometer

Projects and Programs

Platform for Realizing Integrated Molecule Experiments (PRIME)

Humidity

Hybrid Humidity Generator

Realizing Pressure, Temperature, and Length using Optical Interferometry

Publications

Note: A Radio Frequency Voltage-Controlled Current Source for Quantum Spin Manipulation

Effect of thermal ballast loading on temperature stability of domestic refrigerators used for vaccine storage

Effect of Teflon® Transmittance on Sensitivity of Thermoluminescence Dosimeter Cards

On-chip Silicon Photonics Radiation Sensors

Tools and Instruments

Facility for spectroradiometric calibrations (FASCAL 2)

Facility for irradiance calibration using synchrotrons (FICUS)

Piston gauges and pressure transducers

Low Pressure Gauges

Awards

2019 Fellow of the American Vacuum Society - James Fedchak

2018 ANSI Next Generation Award - Michal Chojnacky

2016 Robert D. Thompson Memorial Award - Dr. Christopher W. Meyer

2015 ASTM International Award of Merit - Dr. Weston L. Tew

Highlights

Related Links

Contacts

Group Leader

Office Manager