D. Truong

A determination of the molar gas constant R by acoustic thermometry in helium

We have determined the acoustic and microwave frequencies of a misaligned spherical resonator maintained near the temperature of the triple point of water and filled with helium with carefully characterized molar mass g mol−1, with a relative standard uncertainty . From these data and traceable thermometry we estimate the speed of sound in our sample of helium at K and zero pressure to be m2 s−2 and correspondingly deduce the value J mol−1 K−1 for the molar gas constant. We estimate the value J K−1 for the Boltzmann constant using the currently accepted value of the Avogadro constant NA. These estimates of R and k, with a relative standard uncertainty of 1.06 × 10−6, are 1.47 parts in 106 above the values recommended by CODATA in 2010.

Determination of the Boltzmann constant using a quasi-spherical acoustic resonator.

The paper reports a new experiment to determine the value of the Boltzmann constant, , with a relative standard uncertainty of 1.2 parts in 106. kB was deduced from measurements of the velocity of sound in argon, inside a closed quasi-spherical cavity at a temperature of the triple point of water. The shape of the cavity was achieved using an extremely accurate diamond turning process. The traceability of temperature measurements was ensured at the highest level of accuracy. The volume of the resonator was calculated from measurements of the resonance frequencies of microwave modes. The molar mass of the gas was determined by chemical and isotopic composition measurements with a mass spectrometer. Within combined uncertainties, our new value of kB is consistent with the 2006 Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) value: (knewB/kB_CODATA−1)=−1.96×10−6, where the relative uncertainties are and ur(kB_CODATA)=1.7×10−6. The new relative uncertainty approaches the target value of 1×10−6 set by the Consultative Committee on Thermometry as a precondition for redefining the unit of the thermodynamic temperature, the kelvin.

The IMERAPlus joint research project for determinations of the Boltzmann constant

To provide new determinations of the Boltzmann constant, k, which has been asked for by the International Committee for Weights and Measures concerning preparative steps towards new definitions of the kilogram, the ampere, the kelvin and the mole, an iMERAPlus joint research project has coordinated the European activities in this field. In this major European research project the Boltzmann constant has been determined by various methods to support the new definition of the kelvin. The final results of the project are reviewed in this paper. Determinations of the Boltzmann constant k were achieved within the project by all three envisaged methods: acoustic gas thermometry, Doppler broadening technique, and dielectric constant gas thermometry. The results were exploited by the interdisciplinary Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) in their 2010 adjustment of recommended values for fundamental constants. As a result, the CODATA group recommended a value for k with a relative standard uncertainty about a factor of two smaller than the previous u(k)/k of 1.7×10−6.To provide new determinations of the Boltzmann constant, k, which has been asked for by the International Committee for Weights and Measures concerning preparative steps towards new definitions of the kilogram, the ampere, the kelvin and the mole, an iMERAPlus joint research project has coordinated the European activities in this field. In this major European research project the Boltzmann constant has been determined by various methods to support the new definition of the kelvin. The final results of the project are reviewed in this paper. Determinations of the Boltzmann constant k were achieved within the project by all three envisaged methods: acoustic gas thermometry, Doppler broadening technique, and dielectric constant gas thermometry. The results were exploited by the interdisciplinary Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) in their 2010 adjustment of recommended values for fundamental constants. As a result, the CODATA group recommended a value for k with a relative standard uncerta...

New determination of the Boltzmann constant with an acoustic method

There is currently great interest in the international metrology community for new accurate determinations of the Boltzmann constant kB, with a view to a new definition of the unit of thermodynamic temperature, the kelvin. Indeed, k is related to the quantum of energy kBT, where T is the thermodynamic temperature.