The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published technical guidance (TN 1297) regarding how measurement results should be reported, specifically focusing on uncertainty and the use of International System of Units (SI). This document clarifies that measurements can be based on conventional reference values, such as those derived from the Josephson effect voltage standard, rather than strict SI units. However, NIST emphasizes that if non-SI values are used, the associated uncertainties must be clearly stated to ensure accuracy.
This guidance is currently active policy for NIST authors and researchers, supported by NIST Special Publication 811, which outlines proper symbol usage and style conventions. The potential impact is improved consistency in scientific data, particularly for high-precision voltage measurements where quantum-based standards are essential. By requiring researchers to disclose uncertainty components not included in the main value, the standard helps prevent misinterpretation of measurement quality.
Implementation is expected as part of ongoing NIST reporting policies, with no specific end date mentioned. Key technical points include avoiding ambiguous abbreviations like ppm or ppb and ensuring that the distinction between conventional values and SI units is transparent. This approach ensures that even when using advanced quantum references, the final reported values remain reliable and comparable across different laboratories.
Keywords: Josephson effect, SI units, uncertainty components
