NIST researchers have improved their Kibble balance, a device that measures mass with unprecedented accuracy, by integrating a custom-built quantum Hall array resistance standard (QHARS). The QHARS, made of graphene, generates precise electrical resistance using the quantum Hall effect, eliminating the need for a separate resistance artifact and improving measurement accuracy. This advancement allows scientists to measure masses smaller than 1 kilogram with high precision, building on NIST-4’s role in redefining the kilogram in 2019. The new setup directly incorporates the quantum resistance standard into the Kibble balance, bypassing the need for calibration steps and reducing uncertainty in resistance measurements. Future developments aim to create a programmable, room-temperature QHARS that could further enhance the device’s versatility and practicality.
Keywords: mass, resistance, quantum, standards, metrology
