An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Measurement and Standards Laboratories Fiscal Year 2001 (2001) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
5. Physics Laboratory
5. Physics Laboratory
Pages 129-162
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 129... ...
Physics Laboratory 129
|
From page 130... ...
Smith, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Vice Chair Patricia A Baisden, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Anthony J
|
From page 131... ...
Many of its capabilities are unique in the nation; 1 ~7 ~7 ~7 | Physics | I Laboratory I I I ~ T I 1 Electron and Optical Technology Time and Frequency Optical Physics Division Division Division · Optical Temperature · Ion Storage · Photon Physics and Source · Time and Frequency · Far UV Physics · Optical Properties Services · Electron Physics and Infrared · Atomic Standards Technology · Optical Frequency · Optical Sensor Measurements · Laser Applications · Phase Noise · Spectroscopic Measurements Applications · Network | ~ Synchronization ~ | Atomic Physics Ionizing Radiation Quantum Physics Division Division Division (JILA) · Atomic Spectroscopy · Radiation Interactions · Fundamental and · Quantum Processes end Dosimetry Precision · Plasma Radiation · Neutron Interactions Measurements · Laser Cooling and and Dosimetry · Atomic, Molecular, Trapping · Radioactivity Optical and Nonlinear · Quantum Metrology Physics · Materials Interactions and Characterizations FIGURE 5.1 Organizational structure of the Physics Laboratory.
|
From page 132... ...
Detailed comments on other technical programs ongoing in the Physics Laboratory are given below in "Divisional Reports." Program Relevance and Effectiveness Many programs in the Physics Laboratory are clearly reaching their customers in industry and the scientific community. For example, the laboratory's programs in optical radiation measurements (including derived photometric and radiometric units, the radiation temperature scale, spectral source and detector scales, and optical properties of materials such as reflectance and transmittance)
|
From page 133... ...
Assessing program relevance and effectiveness was difficult, since the panel did not hear a clearly articulated overall strategic vision for the laboratory' s impact. Clearly, articulating specific overall strategic goals for the laboratory would help improve alignment of individual programs with the laboratory mission and allow NIST stakeholders to better understand the value and effectiveness of the programs.
|
From page 134... ...
Laboratory Resources Funding sources for the Physics Laboratory are shown in Table 5.1. As of January 2001, staffing for the Physics Laboratory included 205 full-time permanent positions, of which 170 were for technical professionals.
|
From page 135... ...
Technical Merit DIVISIONAL REVIEWS Electron and Optical Physics Division The Electron and Optical Physics Division states that its mission is to develop measurement capabilities needed by emerging electronic and optical technologies, particularly those required for submicrometer fabrication and analysis. The division is organized into three groups: Photon Physics, Electron Physics, and Far UV Physics.
|
From page 136... ...
The group is following up on this success with an experiment on the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which will provide even greater image resolution. The group will have full access to a beam line dedicated to tomography experiments and anticipates beginning experiments using 4000-eV photons and hollow-cone illumination by the end of 2001.
|
From page 137... ...
This capability, coupled with its available instrumentation for absolute optical and radiation measurements makes SURF III unique in the United States. The facility has a well-defined customer base that requires high-precision radiometry and optical measurements in the near and extended ultraviolet frequencies.
|
From page 138... ...
Most significant is the substantial number of high-quality papers published in refereed external scientific literature. Division Resources Funding sources for the Electron and Optical Physics Division are shown in Table 5.2.
|
From page 139... ...
Atomic Physics Division Technical Merit The Atomic Physics Division states its mission as carrying out a broad range of experimental and theoretical research in atomic physics in support of emerging technologies, industrial needs, and national science programs. It is organized into five groups: Plasma Radiation, Quantum Processes, Laser Cooling and Trapping, Atomic Spectroscopy, and Quantum Metrology.
|
From page 140... ...
At that time the management of the Physics Laboratory presented a 7-year plan to use internal funding to rejuvenate the experimental and theoretical atomic spectroscopy and data compilation core competencies. In its review last year, the panel expressed great satisfaction that the plan was being implemented and that the laboratory had made a very strong commitment to continue the world-class leadership of NIST in these areas.
|
From page 141... ...
Last year the panel noted enthusiastically the theoretical work carried out in the Atomic Physics Division to develop simple but accurate algorithms for the computation of electron-impact ionization cross-sections of molecules. Results for 70 molecules are now available on the laboratory' s Web site.
|
From page 142... ...
Program Relevance and Effectiveness Several of the division's programs are providing results critical to efforts to successfully implement 157-nm lithography for the manufacture of large-scale integrated circuits. The design of optics for 157nm processes depends on resolving issues of chromatic aberrations in calcium fluoride, and the division's index of refraction measurements are invaluable in this effort.
|
From page 143... ...
As of January 2001, staffing for the Atomic Physics Division included 35 full-time permanent positions, of which 27 were for technical professionals. There were also 13 nonpermanent or supplemental personnel, such as postdoctoral research associates and temporary or part-time workers.
|
From page 144... ...
The EBIT program is another program that is clearly valuable but undermanned relative to the results that could be obtained from it. The panel's primary concern, however, is the longterm viability of the atomic spectroscopy and data compilation program.
|
From page 145... ...
The activities of the division are diverse, encompassing basic research on light-matter interactions, applications of light scattering as a metrological tool for the characterization of solid surfaces, and repeated and ongoing interactions with scientists and engineers in establishing methodologies and standards for industries relying on optical technologies. The Optical Technology Division also has the institutional responsibility for maintaining two base SI (International System)
|
From page 146... ...
The Optical Technology Division is carrying out fundamental studies aimed at developing spectroscopic techniques that permit probing material of reduced spatial dimension such as a surface, thin-film, or bulk sample with high spatial resolution. The division is addressing key scientific issues in various disciplines and is very well aligned with other major initiatives in NIST and with areas of external need, such as bio- and nanotechnology, photonics, and electronics.
|
From page 147... ...
All members of the division understand this vision and communicate it in their technical interactions with colleagues, customers, and collaborators to raise awareness of it and get feedback on it. The division maintains a liaison with the Council for Optical Radiation Measurements (CORM)
|
From page 148... ...
The feasibility of this method was demonstrated in the past year. The division hosted the RTP 2000 Conference to disseminate this measurement technology to the semiconductor industry.
|
From page 149... ...
As of January 2001, staffing for the Optical Technology Division included 42 full-time permanent positions, of which 38 were for technical professionals. There were also 15 nonpermanent or supplemental personnel, such as postdoctoral research associates and temporary or part-time workers.
|
From page 150... ...
This is accomplished by providing standards, establishing and validating traceability programs, performing instrument calibrations, and participating in intercomparison programs. Currently, the customers include the FDA, the Army, the Air Force, DOE and its associated national laboratories, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the nuclear medicine and power industries through the Nuclear Energy Institute.
|
From page 151... ...
The group's fundamental physics programs involve extensive collaboration with the academic community and DOE national laboratories. Two significant experiments involving weak neutron interactions and neutron lifetime are making substantial progress.
|
From page 152... ...
This technique will be applied to phase-contrast tomography. The Neutron Interactions and Dosimetry Group's activities in the area of neutron dosimetry continue to provide much-needed calibrations for industry and government.
|
From page 153... ...
The Radiation Interactions and Dosimetry Group is engaged in commendable programs involving mammography proficiency testing, improved international dose traceability for mammography testing, and comparisons of mammography quality. These involve collaborations with international organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
|
From page 154... ...
Division personnel are members of key professional associations, such as the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the Health Physics Society, and of national bodies such as the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements and the Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards (CIRMS)
|
From page 155... ...
Division Resources Funding sources for the Ionizing Radiation Division are shown in Table 5.5. As of January 2001, staffing for the Ionizing Radiation Division included 38 full-time permanent positions, of which 34 were for technical professionals.
|
From page 156... ...
Longrange research is flourishing. Research results obtained over the last 20 years are bearing fruit in improved techniques, including the connection of optical and microwave frequencies and the use of trapped ions for significantly improved stability of frequency standards, and real improvements in standards and services are being realized.
|
From page 157... ...
Division staff also added a new comparison and measurement system at 100 MHz to enable better measurements of local highperformance frequency standards. The Time and Frequency Division continues its development of an optical frequency standard based on the locking of an ultrastable laser to an ultraviolet transition in a single Hg+ ion.
|
From page 158... ...
In view of its potentially small size, low power, and moderately good performance, this gas-cell standard could have many military and commercial applications, particularly in telecommunications. The Time and Frequency Division continues high-quality work on phase and amplitude noise measurements and standards and on electronics for the primary frequency standards.
|
From page 159... ...
Many of the Time and Frequency Division's results on phase and amplitude noise measurement capability and microwave frequency synthesizers for frequency standards have direct and important applications in industry. The division even provides systems for measurements of phase noise in pulsed radar amplifiers.
|
From page 160... ...
Division Resources Funding sources for the Time and Frequency Division are shown in Table 5.6. As of January 2001, staffing for the Time and Frequency Division included 39 full-time permanent positions, of which 34 were for technical professionals.
|
From page 161... ...
· While many programs in the Physics Laboratory are clearly reaching their customers in industry and the scientific community, others did not have a clear focus. Clearly articulated overall strategic goals for the Physics Laboratory would improve the alignment of individual programs with the laboratory mission and improve communication of the value and effectiveness of programs to NIST stakeholders.
|
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.