National Metrology Institute of Japan

National Metrology Institute of Japan

Greetings from the Director

Measurement standards play an indispensable role to guarantee reliability for the act of measurement and its results as the infrastructures for daily life, industries, research and so forth. National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) is the national metrology institute (NMI) in Japan and was established in 2001 as a part of National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). Since then, we have been engaging in ensuring the international equivalence in the measurement standards and establishing their traceability for over 10 years. During this period, with cooperation and support of related organizations and users of measurement standards, we could accomplish the intellectual infrastructure development plan with the aim to provide measurement standards comparable to the ones in the West ahead of schedule.A new corporate status as a National Research and Development Agency has been granted to AIST since FY 2015. The fourth five-year mid-and long targeted term of AIST has started concurrently. NMIJ was also restructured and now consists of four Research Institutes (Engineering Measurement, Physical Measurement, Material and Chemical Measurement, and Analytical Instrumentation Measurement), Center for Quality Management of Metrology, and Research Promotion Division of NMIJ.With the measurement standards having been implemented to a certain level, we recognize that we are in the phase of strengthening our activities to disseminate it. To achieve this, during the fourth mid-and long targeted term plan of AIST, NMIJ aims to: 1) provide measurement standards based on needs of users and urgency, 2) implement various aspects of legal metrology system steadily, 3) disseminate measurement standards, and 4) develop measurement technologies related to measurement standards. Of these, measurement standards will be provided according to a development plan to be revised every year in order to match needs survey and urgency. Moreover, we will apply new technologies to legal metrology, and will put more effort into dissemination of measurement standards by making the information more easily accessible to public. In terms of the development of measurement technologies, NMIJ will work harder as a bridge between seeds of technology and industrial applications, which is also a goal of AIST.We are willing to strive more for meeting your expectation and hope for your continuous understanding, support and cooperation. Detailed access guide is available at,

http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/guidemap/tsukuba/tsukuba_map.html

Inquiries to : Research Promotion Division of NMIJ, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) AIST Tsukuba Central 3, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8563, Japan TEL +81-29-861-4346 FAX +81-29-861-4099 URL: https://www.nmij.jp/english/inquiry/form/

2016.4

Director GeneralNational Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ)

Dr. Takashi USUDA

Tsukuba Central 3-9 Building Optical frequency comb Prototype of the metre The Japanese copy of prototype kilogram

Central Inspection Institute of Measuring Instrument (Ginza)

National Research Laboratory of Metrology (Itabashi facilities)

Water triple- point cell

Voltagestandard cell

Tsukuba Science City (Tsukuba Central 3 General Affairs Office)

Josephson voltage standard device

National Metrology Institute of Japan

Independent Administrative Agency National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (2001)

・Establishment of the primary pure gas standard (1975) ・Determination of high accuracy measurement of the Avogadro constant (2004)・Launch of the remote calibration of frequency (2006)・Success of the remote calibration of pressure (2007)

・Adoption of the Josephson effect voltage standard (1977)

National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research

National Metrology Institute of Japan

・Department of Measurement Standards

・Metrology Management Center

National Metrology Institute of Japan

・4 Research Units

・Center for Quality Management of MetrologyNational Chemical Laboratory for Industry

Research Institute of Instrumentation Frontier

National Research and Development Agency National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (2015)

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

・Development of high temperature fixed points of the metal-carbon eutectics (1998)・Disclosure of spectra database of organic compounds (1998)

・Specification of the optical frequency comb as Japanese national　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 standard of length (2009)

・Specification of the iodine stabilized He-Ne laser as Japanese national standard of length (1983)

・Shift to the quantum Hall effect resistance standard (1990)・Revision of the conventional value of the Josephson constant (1990)・Revision of the International Temperature Scale (ITS-90) (1990)

・Publication of the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) (1993)

HistoryElectrotechnical Laboratory

・Japan becomes a member of the “Metre Convention (Convention du Mètre)” (1885)

(International Background)

・Enforcement of the Measurement Act (1952)・Promulgation of the Weights and Measures Act (1891)

Revision of the International Temperature Scale (1948)・Definition of thermodynamic temperature by triple point of water (1954)・

Definition of length by Wavelength of 86Kr (1960)・Adoption of “The International System of Units” (1960)・

・Promulgation of the Electrical Measurement Act (1910)

Central Inspection Institute of Measuring Instrument

Government Industrial Research Institute

Central Inspection Institute of Weights and Measures

The Government Chemical Industrial Research Institute, Tokyo

Silk Laboratory Textile Research Institute

Industrial Art Institute Industrial Arts Institute

Central Inspection Institute of Weights and MeasuresWeights and Measures Training Institute

1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970

Revision of the International Practical Temperature Scale (1968)・Definition of time by using cesium atomic clock (1967)・

・Japan becomes a member of the “Convention 　establishing an International Organization of 　the Legal Metrology.” (1961)

Electrotechnical Laboratory

National Research Laboratory of Metrology

Research Institute for Polymers and Textiles

Industrial Products Research Institute

Yb atoms captured in the opticallattice clock

Optical frequency comb system

Laser interferometer for diametermeasurements of silicon single-crystal sphere

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer

Integrating sphere for total luminous flux measurement

Acoustic gas thermometer for thermodynamic temperature measurement

Water flow calibration facility

Radiation pattern measurement in the anechoic chamber

Positron probe microanalyzerBrown rice CRM for radioactive cesium analysis CRMs for nucleic acids

Josephson array device integrated with 500,000 junctions and the programmable Josephson voltage standard

High-resolution X-ray CTCRMs for particle diameter and specific surface area

Various CRMs provided by NMIJ

EMC tester Load cell tester

Pseudo-grain powder material

We develop various measurement scales (measurement standards), including those for length, time and weight, maintain the standards it realizes, supply them to society, and constantly strive to create even more highly precise “scales” of measurement.

Maintaining and Developing Measurement StandardsAdvances in industry and scientific technology necessitate new measurement standards. Our measurement standards that use the latest technology support leading-edge technology and industry.

Measurement Standards for Leading-Edge Industry and Science

Mass

Derived quantities

Three dimensionalcoordinate metrology

The unit of mass is the only SI base unit

still defined by a material artifact, “the International prototype of the kilogram” . In order to develop a new definition based on fundamental physical constants, a research is being conducted to determine the number of atoms in a silicon single-crystal sphere with an uncertainty of a few parts in 10-8.

Time The SI unit of time, the

second, is now defined by the oscillation in cesium atom. New types of atomic clock using the oscillation in optical frequency region promise s i g n i f i c a n t a d v a n c e s i n n e w l e v e l s o f t i m e - k e e p i n g accuracy. We are developing ‘optical lattice clocks’ based on optical transitions in an ensemble of neutral atoms trapped in the optical lattices.

Length

Thermodynamic temperature

The unit of length "metre" is defined as "the length

of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299 792 458 of a second". To realize the definition, we measure laser frequencies using an optical frequency comb referenced to the time standard with a precision of 10-13.

The unit of thermodynamic temperature "kelvin" is defined by "the triple point of water." In the near future, the definition of the "kelvin" will be revised by using the Boltzmann constant, which is one of the fundamental physical constants. We are conducting research to measure the t he rmodynamic t empera tu re towards the new definition.

Der ived quantities, such as flowrate (m3/h), torque (N･m), density (kg/m3), pressure (Pa) and so on are essential for daily life and industries. NMIJ is developing, maintaining and d issemina t ing the measu rement standards for these derived quantities.

Luminous intensityThe base unit representing the brightness of the light

is “candela” , which has been popular in recent years to evaluate LED lighting. We develop measurement

techniques, such as those measuring the intensity of light emitted in a particular direction (luminous intensity) and the

total amount of light emitted in all directions (total luminous flux).

Positron defect analysisOur research group has developed and

produced “positron probe micro analyzer” to character ize atomic s ize defects in

materials by using a positron microbeam, and we supports the development of advanced

functional materials with the analyzer.

Bio-related certified reference materialsNMIJ develops and supplies various certified reference materials of bio-related substances such as amino acids, peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids aiming at ensuring reliability and international consistency of measurements to actualize early diagnosis and personalized medicine.

Radioactivity measurement of foodNMIJ supplies brown rice certified reference materials (CRMs) for radioactive cesium analysis. The radioactivity concentrations in CRMs are slightly less than standard limit of general food in Japan. It is widely used for validation of measurement, proficiency test and other relevant purposes.

Amount of substanceNMIJ has developed a technology that uses a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer to measure the amount of various organic compounds, using hydrogen as an index. This technology enables rapid supply of organic reference materials. It is adopted in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia and other official methods.

Electromagnetic measurementElectromagnetic measurement is required at higher frequencies, up to

GHz and fur ther THz ( teraher tz) band ut i l ized for fas ter information/telecommunication devices. We develop accurate

measurement and evaluation technologies for gain, antenna factor, radiation patterns of the wide-band horn antenna etc. at 1 GHz or

higher frequencies.

ParticlesNMIJ develops and supplies metrological standards of

size, number concentration and specific surface area, which are needed for accurate measurements of

the fundamental properties of particles and powders used in advanced materials,

medicines, and products for daily use.

Pseudo-soil and -food reference materialsWe developed new fabrication technology of homogeneous

powder, mimicking chemical composition and structure of real samples. The powder material can be used for calibrations in

X-ray fluorescence analysis. The fabrication technology will be established as a technical base for rapid manufacturing

of composition- and concentration-specified reference materials.

Electrical standardsWe have developed and established electrical

s t andards us ing the un iversa l phys ica l phenomena such as Quantum Hall effect and

Josephson effect. In particular as a voltage standard, we created the world’s first programmable Josephson

voltage standard with a cryogen-free mechanical cryocooler.

NMIJ has pursued a series of demanding themes for measuring three dimensional size and form of industrial products and parts not only for their external but also for their internal d imens ions . We a re a l so work ing on the development of industrial standards as well as the metrology standards to establish objective procedures for verifying the performance.

We provide safety and security for Japanese people by ensuring the reliability of metrological and analytical technology.

Supporting Environmental, Safety, and Health Needs

Mutual Recognition Personnel Training for Metrology Technical Seminar and Publications Providing “Measurement Standards” Legal MetrologyInternational agreements concerning the metrology are discussed and decided at various international conferences and technical committees that related to the Metre Convention or the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) Convention. NMIJ participates these conferences as acting a representative in Japan as well as playing the role of international cooperation in the field of metrology. NMIJ participates and conducts various activities on the Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP) and the Asia Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF), in Asia Pacific region.For international trade to be carried out smoothly in step with economic globalization, the traceability system shown on the right has recently been introduced internationally. In this system, domestically, all measuring instruments are traceable to national measurement standards. Internationally, the equivalency of national standards is recognized between the two countries involved by comparing their national standards, for example. The system ensures mutual trust in carious measured data from one another.

○Personnel Training for MetrologyThe Metrology Training Center helps to train metrology-related personnel of local governments in prefectures and specified cities by providing various training opportunities. We also measure and certify the skills of technicians in private companies. Such opportunities include general measurement training, general measurement special training, environmental measurement special training, and certified measures system training.

“Measurement Standards” based on the national measurement standards, are provided for the society through calibration and testing services and the Certified Reference Materials (NMIJ CRMs).

○Calibration and testing servicesNMIJ feeds back its R&D achievements on measurement standards to the society by offering calibration and testing services. NMIJ offers calibration services for reference standards of the JCSS Accredited Calibration Laboratories, and conducts the testing services of type approval and inspection of verification standards in legal metrology. Calibration certificates and are issued according to a quality system that meets the requirements of the international standard ISO/IES 17025.

○Distribution of certified reference materialsNMIJ produces and distributes Certified Reference Materials (NMIJ CRMs), which are used in various chemical measurements to calibrate analytical instruments and/or to evaluate analytical methods. The production and distribution are conducted according to the requirements of ISO Guide 34 and ISO/IEC 17025.

Weighing instruments, water meters, taximeters and other measuring instruments closely related to reliability of commercial transactions are subject to control under the Measurement Law. NMIJ has conducted type approval for these types of measuring instruments and inspection of verification standards. It also has tested measuring instruments based on the mutual recognition of legal metrology services between Japan and other countries.

The photo (right) shows test instruments for conformity of load cells (used for large weighing instruments) which is based on OIML R60.The photo (left) shows the EMC test instruments for exposing electromagnetic radiation to test for malfunction or abnormality.

○Technical Seminar and PublicationsNMIJ organizes the seminars, symposiums and the NMIJ measurement club, and makes public relations for enlightenment of the metrological traceability and promotion of measurement technology. NMIJ publishes the AIST Bulletin of Metrology, the AIST Monograph of Metrology, SI pamphlet and other booklets.