European metrology research program: Successful completion of three projects and launch of a new one

From 18 to 20 May, a dissemination workshop was held in Prague, where results from three research and development projects were presented. From June 2013 to May 2016, and funded by the European Metrology Research Program EMRP, current topics in the field of precision electrical metrology had been addressed in those projects.

Organized by the Czech Metrology Institute CMI, the meeting was attended by 65 participants from 18 countries, coming mostly from Europe but also from Japan, Korea, USA, and Canada, to review and discuss the project results. PTB has been contributing large work packages to all projects, and all were coordinated by scientists from PTB’s Electricity division. Specifically, the following topics were presented and discussed during the meeting:

• In project GraphOhm (Quantum resistance metrology based on graphene) the fabrication, processing technology, characterization methods, and metrological application of graphene as a quantum-based standard for resistance and impedance were considerably advanced. Eleven institutes from eight European countries as well as from Korea were involved in GraphOhm.
  
  
• In the project AIM-QuTE (Automated IMpedance metrology extending the Quantum Toolbox for Electricity) quantum based Josephson and conventional digital-based AC bridges, as well as improved methods of their application for electrical impedance measurements were developed. 14 partners from twelve countries cooperated to create an application-oriented "toolbox" for impedance metrology and make it available to stakeholders.
  
  
• Finally, in project Q-WAVE (A quantum standard for sampled electrical measurements sampled) the expanded use of fundamentally accurate Josephson AC voltage sources for sampled voltage measurements, the most common type of measurements, was the key subject. Again, a high number of 13 participating institutes from twelve countries testifies to the high interest also in this field.

This strong interest is further underlined by the fact that a new project, QuADC (Waveform metrology based on spectrally pure Josephson voltages) with similar but extended topics, receives funding within the follow-up EU program EMPIR. The project partners, many of whom already involved in Q-WAVE, took the opportunity of the dissemination workshop to have their kick-off meeting directly after the dissemination event. As in the other projects, the funds for QuADC were jointly raised by the partners under lead authorship of a PTB scientist, who will also be coordinating the project.