The article discusses the concept of absolute zero temperature, named after Lord Kelvin, and its practical applications in modern science and technology. The author, a scientist at NIST, explains how Lord Kelvin’s work on thermodynamics and temperature scales laid the foundation for understanding absolute zero. The article describes how modern scientists use laser cooling techniques to create temperatures near absolute zero, and how these ultracold temperatures are measured using atomic sensors.
The author also discusses the development of a new vacuum standard called the Cold-Atom Vacuum Standard (CAVS), which uses laser-cooled atoms to measure extremely low vacuum pressures. This standard is expected to be used in semiconductor manufacturing, quantum computing, and other scientific applications.
The article concludes by reflecting on Lord Kelvin’s legacy and the ongoing challenges in temperature measurement, emphasizing the importance of his work in modern science and technology.
Keywords: Thermometry, Laser cooling, Ultracold atoms, Vacuum standards, Quantum sensors
