Temperature is one of the most frequently measured physical quantities. Every year several millions of temperature sensors are newly installed worldwide. The department is engaged in the temperature metrology with contact sensors in the broad range from below 1 mK to above 2200 °C. Fundamental questions like the new definition of the SI base unit kelvin as well as the support of more than 80 accredited calibration laboratories within the DAkkS are part of our tasks.
Tasks
- Primary thermometry (determination of thermodynamic temperatures) in the temperature range from about 1 K to above 2000 °C by means of noise thermometry and gas thermometry
- New determination of Boltzmann's constant for the new definition of the Kelvin
- Realisation of the Provisional Low Temperature Scale PLTS-2000 from 1 mK to 1 K by Helium-3 melting-pressure thermometry and reference points
- Realisation of the International Temperature Scale ITS-90 from 0.65 K to 962 °C by means of vapour-pressure thermometry, gas thermometry, temperature fixed points and platinum resistance thermometers
- Dissemination of temperature scales from 1 mK to 273 K by calibration of thermometers and reference samples
- Calibration of standard platinum resistance thermometers from 14 K to 962 °C
- Calibration of other contact thermometers in the temperature range from −80 °C to 1600 °C
- Development of new techniques for approximating the ITS-90 in the temperature range from 0 °C to 2200 °C (special fixed points and thermocouples)
- Development of new calibration methods and transfer standards
- Investigation of superconductive reference point samples, temperature sensors and thermal measurement errors
- Development of temperature measurement solutions for industry
- Investigation of thermophysical properties of gases for energy transition
- Specific tasks for the German national accreditation body (DAkkS) and for the German calibration service DKD, measurand temperature
- Collaboration at thermometry organisations and legal bodies (CCT, CODATA, EURAMET, Coomet, OIML, IEC, DIN, VDI/VDE)
