APMP Scale Comparison with Three Radiation Thermometers and Six Fixed-Point Blackbodies

Abstract

New Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP) comparisons of radiation thermometry standards, APMP TS-11, and -12, have recently been initiated. These new APMP comparisons cover the temperature range from $$156\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$ to $$2800\, ^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$ . Three radiation thermometers with central wavelengths of 1.6 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ , 0.9 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ , and 0.65 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ are the transfer devices for the radiation thermometer scale comparison conducted in the so-called star configuration. In parallel, a compact fixed-point blackbody furnace that houses six types of fixed-point cells of In, Sn, Zn, Al, Ag, and Cu is circulated, again in a star-type comparison, to substantiate fixed-point calibration capabilities. Twelve APMP national metrology institutes are taking part in this endeavor, in which the National Metrology Institute of Japan acts as the pilot. In this article, the comparison scheme is described with emphasis on the features of the transfer devices, i.e., the radiation thermometers and the fixed-point blackbodies. Results of preliminary evaluations of the performance and characteristic of these instruments as well as the evaluation method of the comparison results are presented.