An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Programs Fiscal Year 1997 (1997) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
5 Physics Laboratory
5 Physics Laboratory
Pages 95-120
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 95... ...
Chapter 5 Physics Laboratory
|
From page 96... ...
PANEL MEMBERS John 0. Dimmock, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Chair Thomas M
|
From page 97... ...
Projects reported in the press range from a demonstration arid analysis of the fundamental physics of Bose-Einstein condensations and of the formation of optical lattices to the improvement of dose metrology in optical lithography, the development of a radiation standards facility for mammography calibration, and the demonstration of a high-accuracy cryogenic radiometer. Through the Fundamental Constants Data Center, a significant commitment has also been made to creating a centralized international source of information on the fundamental physical constants, closely related precision measurements, and the international system of units (ST)
|
From page 98... ...
The laboratory has focused its efforts on establishing and carrying out collaborations rather than assessing their effects. (Two economic impact studies-on spectral irradiance and on optical detector calibrations-have been carried out, and there is an ongoing economic evaluation ofthe laboratory's activities in ionizing radiation.)
|
From page 99... ...
Major deficiencies include inadequate fume hoods, chemical storage, and exhaust systems; poor energy efficiency; frequent power outages and interruptions, insufficient chilled water capacity; lack of temperature, and humidity control; and substandard air cleanliness and vibration isolation. As the physical plant deteriorates, the technical requirements for higher accuracy and precision continue to increase, particularly in research and metrology for microstructures and atomic-scale structures, lasers and optical systems, complex electronic instrumentation, and computer networking.
|
From page 100... ...
It is therefore not unreasonable for them to use different priority-setting processes, but this makes assessing the overall laboratory prioritization processes difficult. Two established external technical advisory councils, the Council for Optical Radiation Measurements and Standards and the Council on ionizing Radiation Measurements, make welldefined recommendations on program priorities for the laboratory divisions.
|
From page 101... ...
This experiment should give the highest precision measurement of the energy of this transition, which would allow for direct comparison with atomic theoretical calculations and challenge current approaches for predicting these transition energies. The Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility (SURF)
|
From page 102... ...
Funding sources for the Electron and Optical Physics Division (in millions of dollars) : Fiscal Year 1 996 Fiscal Year 1 997 (estimated)
|
From page 103... ...
Atomic Physics Division Mission The Atomic Physics Division stated its mission as follows: The mission of the Atomic Physics Division is to carry out a broad range of experimental and theoretical research in atomic physics in support of emerging technologies, industrial needs, and national science programs. Technical Merit and Appropriateness of Work In the Atomic Spectroscopy Group, the installation and testing of a new Fourier transform spectrometer, with the best combination of wavelength range and resolution in the world (0.0025 cm~~ over the range from 200 to 5500 nary)
|
From page 104... ...
. Related applied work in conjunction with the Optical Technology Division exploits analogous techniques for solving Schrodinger's equation in confined nano structure s and Maxwell's equations for near-field optics.
|
From page 105... ...
Funding sources for the Atomic Physics Division (in millions of dollars) : Fiscal Year ~ 996 Fiscal Year ~ 997 (estimated)
|
From page 106... ...
Optical Technology Division Mission The Optical Technology Division stated its mission as follows: The mission of the Optical Technology Division is, by advancing knowledge and expertise in targeted areas of optical technology, to provide the highest quality services, technical leadership, and measurement infrastructure to promote the U.S. economy and support the public welfare and the national defense.
|
From page 107... ...
However, the division can focus this tension creatively, using its leadership in technical fields to catalyze growth in industry while supporting its basic science components to enable future development of new technologies. Technical Merit and Appropriations of Work The responsibilities of the Optical Technology Division are exceedingly broad and diverse ranging from basic research on applications of correlated quantum photon physics as absolute IR standards, to repeated and ongoing interactions with industrial-sector scientists and engineers to establish criteria for the color and appearance of common manufactured products.
|
From page 108... ...
Staff emphasize strategic and interdisciplinary research in selected areas of photophysics, photochemistry, and optics. Their efforts include optical stimulation and characterization of transient processes in gases, liquids, and solids and at interfaces; linear and nonlinear lightscattering interactions as probes of surface and interracial structure and dynamics, and measurements of nanometer-scale structures using optical techniques.
|
From page 109... ...
. The pane} commends the Optical Technology Division's continued efforts to improve the technology of detector-based radiometry.
|
From page 110... ...
Funding sources for the Optical Technology Division (in millions of dollars) : Fiscal Year 1996 Fiscal Year 1997 (estimated)
|
From page 111... ...
The panel commends the division for this effort. Ionizing Radiation Division Mission The Ionizing Radiation Division stated its mission as follows: The Ionizing Radiation Division has responsibility within NIST for providing national leadership in promoting accurate, meaningful, and compatible measurements of ionizing radiations (x-rays, gamma rays, electrons, neutrons, energetic charged particles, and radioactivity)
|
From page 112... ...
The division is working with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and CIRMS to move from an air-kerma calibration for radiation therapy energies to a water-based and possibly calorimetric calibration of absorbed dose. This is a major change in the physical basis of ionizing radiation standards and will have a substantial effect on radiation therapy dosimetry, especially if implemented through the accredited secondary standards laboratories.
|
From page 113... ...
For example, NIST's expertise in manufacturing disciplines has not integrated the use of ionizing radiation, with its environmental and economic benefits, into development of innovative processes based on known radiation responses.
|
From page 114... ...
The ionizing Radiation Division has unique capital requirements. Unlike most laboratories within NIST, individual capital demands in the field of ionizing radiation often require expenditures of at least several hundred thousand dollars.
|
From page 115... ...
industry and science by providing measurement services and research in time and frequency, and related technology. 2Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards Science and Technology Committee, Report on National Needs in Ionizing Radiation Measurements, Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards (CIRMS)
|
From page 116... ...
This involves collaboration with the Atomic Physics Division on transverse cooling. Collaboration is also under way with the Politecnico De Torino, Italy, on design of a microwave cavity with low distributed phase shift.
|
From page 117... ...
In addition, steady progress has been made in developing low noise synthesizer chains for frequency standards, with particular emphasis on frequency pulling effects. The group also performs many calibrations for industry.
|
From page 118... ...
Resources Funding sources for the Time and Frequency Division (in millions of dollars) : Fiscal Year 1996 Fiscal Year 1997 (estimated)
|
From page 119... ...
The laboratory disseminates the results of its programs widely through publications, workshops, conferences, standards committees, and the Internet. · The laboratory suffers from major facility deficiencies including inadequate fume hoods, chemical storage, and exhaust systems; poor energy efficiency; frequent power outages and interruptions; insufficient chilled water capacity; lack of temperature, air conditioning, and humidity controls; and substandard air cleanliness and vibration isolation.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.