Fundamental physical constants and systems of units for physical quantities

Fundamental questions of contemporary metrology connected with redefinition of the basic units of physical quantities are discussed. Some new definitions of the kilogram, ampere, Kelvin, and mole are suggested and their consequences are analysed. The possibility of fixing some fundamental physical constants at the level of accuracy contemporary for 2011 is considered. Alongside the practical system of units, use of a fundamental (theoretical) system is proposed. The importance is noted of considering possible variations of physical constants for a fundamental system of units, whereas in practical metrology these variations are not currently essential. __________ Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 1, pp. 3–7, January, 2007.     

Some questions of ensuring the traceability of measurements of the parameters of involute surfaces

The fundamental problems of the metrology of involute surfaces are considered. New approaches for investigating this field are proposed. Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 8, pp. 66–67, August, 1996.     

The concept of developing standardization, metrology, and the assessment of conformity in the area of nondestructive monitoring and testing

The fundamental aspects of the concept of developing standardization, metrology, and an estimate of conformity in the area of nondestructive testing, including the purposes, problems, and ways of realizing it are proposed. A structure and scheme showing the interaction between different organisations and services when carrying out this work, and also the accreditation of nondestructive-testing laboratories are presented. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 5, pp. 31–35, May, 1999.     

Metrology in the system of physics disciplines (discussion paper)

Methodological problems of metrology are discussed. Metrology is viewed as an empirical scientific discipline in which the basic notions are determined in an operational manner and ought to be verifiable. Relationship between metrology and theoretical and experimental scientific branches is established. From the aspect of the methodology proposed herein, certain notions of metrology are incorrectly defined and not verifiable. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 10, pp. 3–5, October, 1998.     

The Fundamental Physical Constants,the Gravitational Constant,and the See Space Experiment Project

The paper discusses the fundamental physical constants, the classification of them, the number of them, the definition accuracy, and the relationships to fundamental physical theories (interactions). Basic concepts are presented on gravitational relativistic metrology related to precision space-time measurements. The main attention is given to Newton’s gravitational constant G as regards the measurement of the absolute value and the possible variations in time and space as predicted by interaction union theories. Principles are presented for a proposed space experiment to measure G and its variations, whose implementation will enable one to improve on current data from appropriate laboratory experiments on Earth by 2–3 orders of magnitude.__________Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 6, pp. 3–10, June, 2005.     

Physical Nature of Measurement Uncertainty in Metrology

It is shown that the problem of measurement uncertainty in metrology is many-sided and must be interpreted not only on the basis of the purely statistical processing of data but also taking account of the definition of a physical quantity as a fundamental triad: observable, state, average value. It is shown that inaccuracy and uncertainty are two realities associated with a lack of information concerning the system of knowledge.     

The traceability of temperature measurements in aerological radiosonde observations

During the last 15 years new concepts and ideas, developed by the international community to be introduced into the standards of high-quality systems, have been incorporated into national metrological practice. This has naturally also had an effect on the fundamental ideas of applied metrology in such a conservative field as meteorological measurements of the state of the atmosphere. Methods of harmonizing the ideas of “uniformity” and “traceability” are illustrated using the example of measurements of the temperature of the atmosphere.     

Theoretical principles of inflationary quantum metrology

A hypothetical foundation is presented for future metrology in the form of a simple alternative to superstring and quantum-gravitation theories: a phase-tree model, which agrees with ideas of combining quantum fields and cosmological inflation. Translated from Metrologiya, No. 8, pp. 3–30, August, 2008.     

A Roadmap for Thermal Metrology

A provisional roadmap for thermal metrology was developed in Spring 2006 as part of the EUROMET iMERA activity toward increasing impact from national investment in European metrology R&D. This consisted of two parts: one addressing the influence of thermal metrology on society, industry, and science, and the other specifying the requirements of enabling thermal metrology to serve future needs. The roadmap represents the shared vision of the EUROMET TC Therm committee as to how thermal metrology should develop to meet future requirements over the next 15 years. It is important to stress that these documents are a first attempt to roadmap the whole of thermal metrology and will certainly need regular review and revision to remain relevant and useful to the community they seek to serve. The first part of the roadmap, “Thermal metrology for society, industry, and science,” identifies the main social and economic triggers driving developments in thermal metrology—notably citizen safety and security, new production technologies, environment and global climate change, energy, and health. Stemming from these triggers, key targets are identified that require improved thermal measurements. The second part of the roadmap, “Enabling thermal metrology to serve future needs” identifies another set of triggers, like global trade and interoperability, future needs in transport, and the earth radiation budget. Stemming from these triggers, key targets are identified, such as improved realizations and dissemination of the SI unit the kelvin, anchoring the kelvin to the Boltzmann constant, k _B, and calculating thermal properties from first principles. To facilitate these outcomes, the roadmap identifies the technical advances required in thermal measurement standards.     

The methodological principles of metrology

Methodological aspects are considered for theoretical metrology and the principles for determining basic concepts. The basic concepts in metrology are determined operationally, with the meanings established during the performance of sequences of experimental operations. Differences are pointed out in the definition of the same concepts in metrology and in theoretical physics. __________ Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 8, pp. 3–6, August, 2006.     

Measurement problems in the statistical identification of the scale of cosmological distances

Problems of statistical data processing that are general problems from the standpoint of metrology are considered for the Hubble diagram as the basis of the scale of cosmological distances. Results of an identification of the diagram for radio galaxies and quasars on the basis of a rigorous solution of Mattig’s equation are presented.     

Some remarks on definitions and, in particular, on the definition of the term calibration

Confucius (Analects xiii:3) ‘It is not possible to haveany valid argument until rigorously defined terms are agreed’. In radiation protection dosimetry, we perhaps need to take asthe fundamental sources of our definitions for personal dosimetryand area monitoring, mainly those three committees—theJoint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM), which givesdefinitions for metrology generally; the International Commissionon Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU), which gives basicphysical quantities and units for ionising radiation; and theInternational Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) forquantities considering the health effect of ionising radiation,for example effective dose, equivalent dose and the qualityfactor/linear energy transfer function. The JCGM, chaired by the Director of the BIPM, is formed bythe seven international organisations that had prepared theoriginal versions of the     

VNIIFTRI radio standards: State of the art and development trends

A survey is presented on the development of standards for HF and UHF radio engineering measurements set up all the All-Union Technical Physics and Electronics Research Institute. Prospects are considered for improving these standards together with new problems arising in this area of metrology and possible ways of solving them. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 7, pp 6–10, July, 1995.     

Metrology-cybernetics-control: A new approach

As a science and as a special activity concerned with measurements, the science of metrology pursues a classical, orthodox purpose, mainly involving the measurement of physical quantities. The term “measurement” is now applied also to social, economic, medical, and other disciplines, including cybernetics and problems of management and control. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 7, pp. 17–20, July, 1996.     

关于计量单位向量子基准发展的趋势

本文从计量学的基本特性出发,讨论了计量单位由实物基准向量子基准发展的必然性,提出了 SI 的几个单位建立量子基准的初步构想,最后还指出了基本物理常数及共组合与计量单位的对应关系以及精测这些常数的重要性。     

Need to update the metrological paradigm

It is shown to be necessary to increase the precision of the definition of the initial propositions of metrology utilizing the contemporary theory of measurement scales. A field of applied metrology is identified which fundamentally fails to be included by the international system (SI) of units. The functions of measurement standards, measuring transducers, and comparators are defined more precisely. Evidence is given of the strong desirability of updating the State and international normative documents on metrology. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 8, pp. 15–21, August, 1998.     

Harmonizing the terminological subsystem “Standards for units of physical quantities”

Suggestions are considered on harmonizing the terms in the terminological subsystem “Standards for units of physical quantities.” Proposals are made on upgrading intergovernmental terminological documents. Definitions are given of terms proposed for use. Editor's note. Terminology is extremely important for metrology, so this paper is useful. However, it has become customary to use the term “means of measurement,” so it is hardly desirable to introduce a new definition for “means of measurement engineering.” As regards the suggestion on the direct introduction of the international dictionary of basic and general terms in metrology, the Publishing House for Standards in 1998 published this dictionary in Russian with equivalents for the terms in English, French, German, and Spanish (see Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 12, p. 62, 1998). Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 4, pp. 40–42, April, 1999.     

In-line monitoring of advanced microelectronic processes using combined X-ray techniques

Accurate and reliable in-line monitoring of the different films thickness that occur throughout the integrated circuit manufacturing process is mandatory to develop and produce advanced microelectronic devices. X-ray reflectivity (XRR) is a fundamental and suitable metrology technique to precisely determine the thickness of both transparent and metallic thin films. Furthermore, XRR is very sensitive to surface and interface roughness, and also provides information about the film density. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is currently used as a metrology technique to control the thickness and the elemental composition of relatively thick films. The performance of a new in-line metrology tool, which gathers XRR and XRF data to monitor film thickness, has been assessed. Results on the monitoring of high κ thin films, low κ materials, copper barrier and copper seed layers are presented.     

Some problems in basic metrology

The paper discusses some of the problems of modern metrology in the context of the past. These include those relating to physical quantities, uncertainties, the SI units, and the role of the fundamental physical constants.Paper presented at the European Metrology Conference, St. Petersburg, Russia, September 1–3, 1992.Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 10, pp. 66–70, October, 1993.     

Document-factographic database management for documentation support of metrology

We consider problems on application of databases for information support of metrology. We present a comparison of the characteristics of different types of database management. Our emphasis is on the need to use document-factographic databases in the problems under consideration. We describe the capabilities of the PCBIRS 3.0 system. As an example we consider the database containing data on the State register of measurement instruments. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 8, pp. 11–14, August, 1997.