NIST researchers have developed a new photonic pressure sensor called the Fabry-Perot Optical Cavity (FLOC) that could revolutionize pressure measurement technology. The FLOC uses laser light trapped in a cavity to measure pressure with unprecedented precision, potentially replacing traditional mercury manometers and other pressure sensors.
The FLOC’s key advantages include:
– Resolution of 0.1 mPa (millipascal), compared to 3.6 mPa for mercury manometers
– Stability and repeatability in the parts-per-million range
– Potential to serve as a transfer standard for pressure measurements
The technology could have significant implications for industries like aerospace and semiconductors, where precise pressure measurements are critical. It could also impact the redefinition of pressure units, which currently rely on the kilogram as a base unit.
To further improve the device’s accuracy, NIST researchers are working on a variation called the Variable-Length Optical Cavity (VLOC) that uses helium gas instead of nitrogen. This could help reduce uncertainties in the index of refraction measurements, leading to even more precise pressure measurements.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/pml/sensor-science/thermodynamic-metrology/first-photonic-pressure-sensor-focus
Keywords: Metrology, Interferometer, Index, Refraction, Spectroscopy
