A reliable, self contained, metrology qualified voltage standard system

HYPRES proposes the development of a rugged, reliable, self-contained, metrology qualified voltage standard sytems. Although voltage standard systems are cureently available and in uses at metrology laboratories to calibrate primary and secondary standards, these systems are not qualified for field use and do require expert operators. HYPRES is the only commercial source to have successfully demonstrated votlage standard circuit technolgoy transfer from the National Institute of Science and Technology and - to our knowledge - the only supplier of metrology-qualified all-niobium voltage standard chips. The use of all-niobium chips eliminates the cycling and aging problems of the previously used materials. In this program, HYPRES will determine the feasibility of a voltage standard chip, based on niobium or niobium nitride, that can be operated on a two-stage closed-cycle refrigerator (CCR) within a user friendly, field-qualified unit. Phase I will study the options of 1) eliminating the susceptibility of the circuits to trapped flux and 2) operating at higher temperatures compatible with 2-stage CCRs. Phase II will produce and deliver a prototype system.