The NIST Low Temperature Calibration Facility (LTCF) can accommodate most capsule and miniature type resistance thermometers suitable for use in vacuum within the range 0.65 K to 83.8 K, with special tests possible as high as 165 K. Calibrations of cryogenic resistance thermometers at NIST are performed by comparison to standard thermometers on the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) for the following thermometers:
- capsule standard platinum resistance thermometers (SPRTs)
- rhodium-iron
- germanium
- platinum cobalt
- zirconium nitride, ruthenia
Additional special tests are available for non-standard cryogenic thermometers.
The Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer Calibration Laboratory (SPRTL) calibrates thermometers from 84 K to 1235 K (Ar TP to Ag FP). Information for these calibrations are found on the ITS-90 Defining Artifacts webpage.
How to Arrange a Calibration
- Contact the staff member in charge of the calibration service for your artifact with any technical or calibration cost questions.
- Calibrations are performed on a first come first serve basis.
- Ship your artifact with a copy of the purchase order. Use a sturdy box in which we can return the calibrated instrument.
- The purchase order may be sent to contact by e-mail, fax, or mail. Please include the following information:
- service ID for the calibration
- model and serial number of your artifact
- customer contact name, address, phone, and e-mail
- return shipping method (e.g., shipping account number)
| Mailing Address |
|
Shipping Address |
| NIST |
|
NIST |
| Attn: Wes Tew |
|
Attn: Wes Tew |
| 100 Bureau Drive |
|
100 Bureau Drive |
| MS 8363 |
|
Bldg. 221, Rm. B308 |
| Gaithersburg, MD 20899 |
|
Gaithersburg, MD 20899 |
Description and Cost of Services
|
Service ID
|
Fee, US$
|
Description of Service
|
|
33010C
|
11,151
|
Capsule SPRT (13.8 K to 30 °C)
|
|
33020C
|
11,447
|
Capsule SPRT (13.8 K to 157 °C)
|
|
33030C
|
11,742
|
Capsule SPRT (13.8 K to 232 °C)
|
|
33031C
|
8,295
|
Capsule SPRT (24.5 K to 30 °C)
|
|
33032C
|
8,589
|
Capsule SPRT (24.5 K to 157 °C)
|
|
33033C
|
8,883
|
Capsule SPRT (24.5 K to 232 °C)
|
|
33040C
|
7,429
|
Capsule SPRT (54 K to 30 °C)
|
|
33050C
|
7,723
|
Capsule SPRT (54 K to 157 °C)
|
|
33060S
|
8,018
|
Capsule SPRT (54 K to 232 °C)
|
|
33140C
|
12,273
|
Rhodium-Iron or Platinum-Cobalt Resistance Thermometer (0.65 K to 24.6 K)
|
|
33141C
|
15,077
|
Rhodium-Iron or Platinum-Cobalt Resistance Thermometer (0.65 K to 83.8 K)
|
|
33142C
|
12,011
|
n-Type Germanium Resistance Thermometer (0.65 K to 24.6 K)
|
|
33320C
|
68
|
Additional copy of Calibration Report at time of test
|
|
33330C
|
433
|
Additional copy of Calibration Report at a later date
|
|
33340C
|
904
|
Minimum charge for an unsuitable thermometer
|
|
33355S
|
at cost
|
Special tests of cryogenic resistance thermometers
|
Calibration Measurement Uncertainties
ITS-90 Defining Fixed-Points for Capsule SPRTs
|
Fixed-Point Cell
|
U (k=2), mK
|
|
e-H2 TP
|
0.41
|
|
e-H2 VP
|
0.89
|
|
e-H2-VP
|
0.23
|
|
Ne TP
|
0.40
|
|
O2 TP
|
0.19
|
|
Ar TP
|
0.32
|
|
Hg TP
|
0.49
|
|
TPW
|
0.20
|
ITS-90 Subrange for Capsule SPRTs
|
Temperature
Range, K
|
Maximum
U (k=2), mK†
|
|
13.8033 to 273.16
|
1.36
|
† The ITS-90 temperature subrange uncertainties include the propagated fixed-point uncertainties and the contribution from non-uniqueness types I and III.
Rhodium-Iron Resistance Thermometers
|
Temperature
Range, K
|
Maximum
U (k=2), mK
|
|
0.65 to 2
|
0.50
|
|
2 to 5
|
0.32
|
|
5 to 9
|
0.23
|
|
9 to 14
|
0.30
|
|
14 to 17
|
0.34
|
|
17 to 20.5
|
0.40
|
|
20.5 to 24.5
|
0.50
|
|
24.5 to 54
|
0.58
|
|
54 to 84
|
0.40
|
General information regarding NIST calibration services may be found on the NIST Technology Services Calibration webpage.
