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Low Temperature Radiance Temperature Calibration Laboratory

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Program Objective: This laboratory has as its principal activity the establishment, maintenance, and dissemination of the US National Scale of Radiance Temperature. This laboratory is responsible for temperature measurements from 288.15 K (15 °C) to 1173.15 K (900 °C).

This document describes the realization and dissemination of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS 90) from 15 °C to 900 °C at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These calibrations performed in the Advanced Infrared Radiometry and Imaging (AIRI) facility are traceable to the ITS-90 scale through secondary standard gold-platinum thermocouples and standard platinum resistance thermometers.

Click on the items below to read more about:

Low Temperature Radiance Temperature Laboratory Measurement System
Schematic of the Low Temperature Radiance Temperature Laboratory Measurement System

LEGEND
 
1 Sodium heat-pipe blackbody 7 Standard transfer radiometer
2 Cesium heat-pipe blackbody 8 Test radiation thermometer
3 Test blackbody 9 Translation stages
4 Fixed-point blackbodies 10 Heat-pipe control unit
5 Water bath blackbody 11 Instrumentation and data acquisition
6 Oil bath blackbody  

Traceability

Schematic of the Low Temperature Radiance Temperature Laboratory Traceability Scheme
  • The calibration against fixed point cells is performed by the NIST Thermometry Laboratory at regular interval.
  • Test blackbodies and radiation thermometers are then calibrated against the reference water/oil-bath and heat-pipe blackbodies using SPRT or Au/PT TCs.
  • A transfer spectroradiometer is used to calibrate test blackbodies.

Calibration Services

Calibration reports are issued giving the thermodynamic temperature of the reference blackbody versus the radiation thermometer display reading, output current, or output voltage.
Test No. Measurement Description Uncertainty
(k = 2)
35080S Special Tests of Radiation Thermometers (15 °C to 900 °C) 0.7 °C to 1.8 °C
35081C Radiance Temperature Standard, Radiation Thermometer (15 °C to 70 °C, 3 points) 0.7 °C
35082C Radiance Temperature Standard, Radiation Thermometer (70 °C to 170 °C, 3 points) 1.0 °C
35083C Radiance Temperature Standard, Radiation Thermometer (400 °C to 700 °C, 3 points) 1.5 °C
35084C Radiance Temperature Standard, Radiation Thermometer (700 °C to 900 °C, 3 points) 1.8 °C
Calibration reports are issued giving the thermodynamic temperature of the reference blackbody versus the test blackbody source display reading.
Test No. Measurement Description Uncertainty
(k = 2)
35090S Special Tests of Blackbody Sources (15 °C to 900 °C) 0.7 °C to 1.8 °C

How to Request Calibration Services

  1. Prepare a purchase order with the following:
    • Company name and address
    • Contact person's name and phone number.
    • Billing address
    • Service ID number requested (include range and points)
    • Test fee
    • Address to ship test item
    • Return shipping instructions (prepay and add, COD, charge to account with shipper)
      • the test fee does not include shipping costs
      • customers are responsible for all shipping costs
      • If no instructions are given, NIST will return the test item by common carrier, collect, and uninsured.

  2. Send the purchase order to:
    National Institute of Standards and Technology
    Calibration Program
    Building 820, Room 232
    Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001
     
    Tel.: (301) 975-2002
    FAX: (301) 869-3548
    E-mail: calibrations@nist.gov

  3. Send the test item(s) to:
    Benjamin Tsai
    NIST
    Building 221 / Room B208
    Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001
     
    Tel.: (301) 975-2347
    FAX: (301) 869-5700
    E-mail: benjamin.tsai@nist.gov


Requests for calibration services are scheduled after the receipt of a purchase order.

NIST policy requires prepayment of all calibration services performed for non-U.S. organizations. Please contact Denise Lockard of the Calibration Program office to arrange payment. The Fax number is 301-869-3548. The e-mail address is calibrations@nist.gov.

Groups supported by this calibration service

  • Aerospace industry
  • Industrial users including aluminum, glass, and steel manufacturers
  • National standards laboratories
  • Pyrometer and blackbody manufacturers
  • Research universities
  • US military service calibration laboratories
For technical information or questions, contact:
Benjamin K. Tsai
Phone: (301) 975-2347
Fax: (301) 869-5700
Email: benjamin.tsai@nist.gov

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Online: February 2006