Physics Laboratory researchers, often in collaboration with scientists from
industry and other institutions, develop new measurement methods and
instruments for overcoming measurement barriers to accuracy, reliability, and
manufacturability. Examples include: a
new instrument for
measuring the operating voltage on mammographic X-ray instruments,
critical to image quality; a new method for manufacturing reference lines with
absolutely known, submicron spacing, critical for nanoscale metrology (see
cover photo); and a new instrument for
measuring local gravity changes,
needed for discovering newgas and oil resources.
STANDARDS.
The Physics Laboratory offers dozens of calibration services
and standard reference materials to manufacturers, researchers, and medical
equipment makers and clinics. For example, makers of all types of lighting
products measure their products against standard lamps calibrated at NIST. For
more details, see
http://physics.nist.gov/calibrations.
EVALUATED DATA.
Point your web browser to
http://physics.nist.gov/data the
next time you need atomic, molecular, or radiation data. Researchers can also
find the value of any fundamental constant in the
Fundamental Physical Constants database from the
Avogadro constant to the Stefan-Boltzmann constant.
AND MORE ...
NIST researchers work to improve the practice of
measurements by organizing workshops, participating in committees,
collaborating/consulting, and providing training seminars on topics such as temperature measurement by radiation thermometry
and time and
frequency.
