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Thermodynamic Temperatures of the Triple Points of Mercury and Gallium and in the Interval 217 K to 303 K

Published

Author(s)

Michael R. Moldover, S J. Boyes, Christopher W. Meyer, A R. Goodwin

Abstract

We measured the acoustic resonance frequencies of an argon-filled spherical cavity and the microwave resonance frequencies of the same cavity when evacuated. The microwave data were used to deduce the thermal expansion of the cavity and the acoustic data were fitted to a temperature-pressure surface to deduce zero-pressure speed-of-sound ratios. The ratios determine (T-T90), the difference between the Kelvin thermodynamic temperature T and the temperature on the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). The acoustic data fall on six isotherms: 217.0950 K, 234.3156 K, 253.1500 K, 273.1600 K, 293.1300 K, and 302.9166 K and the standard uncertainties of (T-T90) average 0.6 mK, depending mostly upon the model fitted to the acoustic data. Without reference to ITS-90, the data redetermine the triple point of gallium Tg and the mercury point Tm with the results: Tg/Tw =(1.108 951 6 + 0.000 002 6) and Tm/Tw = (0.857 785 5 + 0.000 002 0), where Tw = 273.16 K exactly, (All uncertainties are expressed as standard uncertainties.) The resonator was the same one that had been used to redetermine both the universal gas constant R, and Tg. However, the present value of Tg is (4.3 + 0.8) mK larger than that reported earlier. We suggest that the earlier redetermination of Tg was erroneous because a virtual leak within the resonator contaminated the argon used at Tg in that work. This suggestion is supported by new acoustic data taken when the resonator was filled with xenon. Fortunately, the virtual leak did not affect the redetermination of R. The present work results in many suggestions for improving primary accoustic thermometry to achieve sub-millikelvin uncertainties over a wide temperature range.
Citation
Journal of Research (NIST JRES) -
Volume
104 No. 1

Keywords

acoustic resonator, acoustic thermometry, argon, fixed point, gallium point, gas constant, ideal gas, mercury point, microwave resonator

Citation

Moldover, M. , Boyes, S. , Meyer, C. and Goodwin, A. (1999), Thermodynamic Temperatures of the Triple Points of Mercury and Gallium and in the Interval 217 K to 303 K, Journal of Research (NIST JRES), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed December 6, 2024)

Issues

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Created February 1, 1999, Updated February 17, 2017