Precision of light

Professor Jäger, who heads the department of process measuring technology of Ilmenau Technical University, will first give a survey of the different methods used in interferometry-based measurement and sensor technology ­ including their advantages and disadvantages. He will then explain the efficiency of these methods by some examples which will show the different dimensions of the fields of use: from nanometrology to force measuring and weighing techniques. The importance of highly precise length measuring techniques for other fields of metrology will be emphasized.

The colloquium is held to celebrate the 60th birthday of Dr. Manfred Kochsiek, the PTB's Vice-president. Since Professor Kochsiek joined PTB in 1966, he has rendered outstanding services in the field of metrology. He was head of the "Unit of Mass" and "Mechanical Weighing Instruments" sections, then rose to the positions of head of department and head of division, and finally, in 1993, joined the PTB's Presidential Board. He is now above all concerned with management tasks, but his attention continues to be directed to the constant further development of metrology. This is reflected in numerous publications and by his work as an expert and as a member of scientific advisory committees.