PHYSICS LABORATORY Technical Activities 1991
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NISTIR 4741 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION PHYSICS National Institute of Standards and Technology LABORATORY Submitted to the //4741 1992 DESCRIPTIONS OF COVER ILLUSTRATIONS The molecular structure of the ethylene-ketene weakly bound com- plex is shown as derived from mi- crowave spectroscopy (viewed along The NIST High Accuracy Cryo- the C = C bond of ethylene). The genic Radiometer (HACR) ties opti- geometry shows that the heavy cal power measurements to electri- atoms of the two molecules are cal power measurements, based on crossed at 90 degrees, as predicted the NIST standard volt and ohm. by organic chemists for the cyclo- Each power source causes a tem- addition reaction which produces perature rise on a receiving cavity cyclobutanone. (Molecular Spectros- in the center, which is precisely copy Division) measured and balanced. Cryogenic The building and antennas in the operation, which is not a part of are the short-wave Scanning Electron Microscopy background traditional electrical substitution broadcast facilities for radio station with Polarization Analysis (SEMPA) radiometry, substantially reduces broadcasts time and magnetization images show the WWV which uncertainties and systematic errors. domains in a clean Fe single crystal frequency information to the United The Radiometric Physics Division States. The van in the foreground is whisker (bottom panel), where the relies on the HACR to derive mea- a mobile satellite communication white and black regions denote surement scales in radiometry and magnetization to the right and left terminal used by the Time and photometry. Frequency Division for experiments respectively. The top panel shows on accurate time transfer. One ob- the magnetization in a 2 nm thick jective of this work is the develop- Fe film separated from the Fe whis- ment of a highly accurate satellite ker of the bottom panel by an evap- time service. orated wedge of Cr which varies linearly in thickness as shown on The lifetime of the free neutron is the bottom scale. The exchange measured by "trapping" decay pro- coupling starts off ferromagnetic at tons in an electromagnetic Penning small Cr thickness, then changes to figure a design trap. The shows antiferromagnetic (magnetization study of the trap electrode structure antiparallel to that of the whisker used in the NIST neutron lifetime substrate), as the thickness in- determination. The measurement of creases and undergoes several oscil- the neutron lifetime has implica- lations in this manner with a period tions for cosmology, astrophysics, of 1.4 to 1.7 nm, equivalent to the and particle physics. Techniques thickness of 10 to 12 Cr layers. resulting from this measurement (Electron and Optical Physics Divi- will also provide new standards for sion) neutron dosimetry and for analyti- cal chemistry. (Ionizing Radiation Division) Triple axis diffraction tracing of The NIST Reference Cell is pic- Elevation view of the major com- an x-ray optic multilayer structure. tured. Powered at a radio frequency ponents-throwing chamber, inter- The structure consists of 20 bi-lay- of 13.56 MHz, this source generates ferometer, and superspring-of the ers of molybdenum and silicon with a plasma similar to that used in FG5 instrument for ultrahigh pre- a 2d spacing of 13.2 nanometers. semiconductor etching devices. cision absolute gravity measure- (Quantum Metrology Division) Several laboratories throughout the ments. This NIST-developed tech- United States are cooperating in nology is being transferred to Axis reference measurements, including Instruments for engineering and emission and laser spectroscopy, manufacture. (Quantum Physics energy-analyzed mass spectrometry Division) and electric probes, to study its properties. (Atomic Physics Divi- sion) NISTIR 4741 PHYSICS LABORATORY Technical Activities 1991 Submitted to the Board on Assessment of NIST Programs, National Research Council February 24-25, 1992 Katharine B. Gebbie Director Physics Laboratory February 1 992 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Rockwell A. Schnabel, Acting Secretary Technology Administration Robert M. White, Under Secretary National Institute of Standards and Technology John W. Lyons, Director ' »" ' . 2V PHYSICS LABORATORY TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES ABSTRACT This report summarizes research projects, measurement method development, calibration and testing, and data evaluation activities that were carried out during calendar year 1991 in the NIST Physics Laboratory. These activities fall in the areas of electron and optical physics, atomic physics, molecular physics, radiometric physics, quantum metrology, ionizing radiation, time and frequency, quantum physics, and fundamental constants. Key Words: atomic physics: calibrations: data evaluation: electron physics: funda- mental constants: ionizing radiation; measurement methods; molecular physics; optical physics, optical radiation; quantum metrology; quantum physics; standard reference materials, time and frequency iii PHYSICS LABORATORY TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 PHYSICS LABORATORY OFFICE 7 ELECTRON AND OPTICAL PHYSICS DIVISION 17 ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION 25 MOLECULAR PHYSICS DIVISION 35 RADIOMETRIC PHYSICS DIVISION 45 QUANTUM METROLOGY DIVISION 51 IONIZING RADIATION DIVISION 61 TIME AND FREQUENCY DIVISION 73 QUANTUM PHYSICS DIVISION Appendices 81 A. PUBLICATONS 109 B. INVITED TALKS 129 C. TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP 147 D. SPONSORED WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, AND SYMPOSIA 151 E. JOURNAL EDITORSHIPS 155 F. INDUSTRIAL INTERACTIONS 159 G. OTHER AGENCY RESEARCH AND CONSULTING 165 H. CALIBRATION SERVICES AND STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIALS 177 J. ACRONYMS V ] PHYSICS LABORATORY TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES PHYSICS LABORATORY INTRODUCTION This report is a summary of the technical activi- means of calibrations, measurement quality ties of the National Institute of Standards and assurance, and standard reference materials. Technology (NIST) Physics Laboratory for the The Laboratory generates, evaluates, and period January 1991 to December 1991. The compiles atomic, molecular, optical, and ionizing Laboratory is one of nine major operating units radiation data in response to national needs, of the National Institute of Standards and Tech- develops and operates major radiation sources nology. The mission of the Physics Laboratory is as user facilities, and maintains appropriate to advance science and technology by: pursuing collaborations with other Laboratories in NIST, fundamental research in the physical sciences; the Nation, and throughout the world. It con- developing new physical standards, measure- ducts a major cooperative research program ment methods, and data; conducting an aggres- with the University of Colorado through the sive dissemination program; and collaborating Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics. The with industry to commercialize our inventions Laboratory’s programs support the research and discoveries. community and industry in such areas as com- The Laboratory is vertically integrated, munication, defense, energy, environment, spanning the full range of programs from tests of space, health, electro-optics, electronics, radia- fundamental postulates of physics through tion, and transportation. generic technology to the more immediate needs The Physics Laboratory consists of eight of industry and commerce. Its constituencies are Divisions. broadly distributed throughout academia, gov- Electron and Optical Physics Division. Provides ernment, and industry. the central national basis for the measurement As part of a major NIST reorganization, the of far ultraviolet and soft x-ray radiation; con- Laboratory was formed from the former Center ducts theoretical and experimental research for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics and with electron, laser, ultraviolet, and soft x-ray the former Center for Radiation Research and radiation for measurement applications in fields began official operation on February 10, 1991. such as atomic and molecular science, multi- The Physics Laboratory focuses its long-term photon processes, radiation chemistry, space research on atomic, molecular, optical, and and atmospheric science, microelectronics, radiation physics. It develops new physical electron spectroscopy, electron microscopy, standards, measurement methods and reference surface magnetism, and solid state and materi- data, and promulgates these standards, meth- als science; determines the fundamental mecha- ods, and data by providing measurement nisms by which electrons and photons transfer services, conducting workshops, publishing energy to gaseous and condensed matter; devel- research results, and collaborating with indus- ops advanced electron- and photon-based tech- try, universities, and other agencies of govern- niques for the measurement of atomic and ment. molecular properties of matter, for the determi- Specifically, the Laboratory establishes nation of atomic and magnetic microstructure, spectroscopic methods and standards for infra- and for the measurement and utilization of red, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma-ray ultraviolet, soft x-ray, and electron radiation; radiation; investigates the structure and dynam- develops and disseminates ultraviolet, soft x-ray ics of atoms and molecules, singly and in aggre- and electron standards, measurement services, gate; develops and disseminates national stan- and data for industry, universities, and govern- dards for time and frequency and for the mea- ment; and develops and operates well-character- surement of optical