NIST researchers are developing a next-generation electrical measurement standard based on the quantum anomalous Hall effect, which precisely measures electrical resistance without requiring large external magnets. The current official resistance standard relies on bulky magnetic fields and cannot operate alongside superconducting voltage devices. While the quantum anomalous Hall effect has been successfully demonstrated in controlled labs, it currently only functions at temperatures near absolute zero, placing it firmly in the experimental research phase rather than as an officially deployed standard.
The goal is to pair this magnet-free resistance measurement with existing superconducting voltage standards inside a single, compact cooling unit. This would create one unified system that accurately defines the volt, ohm, and ampere together, streamlining calibration for advanced electronics and quantum hardware. Researchers are actively testing new materials to raise the required operating temperature from near-zero Kelvin to about 1 or 2 Kelvin, which would make the technology compatible with standard laboratory cooling equipment. No specific rollout date has been announced, but successfully reaching this warmer temperature target is the critical milestone before real-world deployment can begin.
Keywords: quantum anomalous Hall effect, electrical standards, topological insulators
