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Physical Measurement Laboratory

Developing and delivering trusted measurements to support national needs.

Wide shot shows two researchers on either side of a scientific device made of metal cylinders, peering closely at it.
NIST Weighs In on the Mystery of the Gravitational Constant
Two male researchers in casual clothes and protective eyewear stand in the lab, pointing at a screen hooked up to a laser science instrument.
Any Color You Like: NIST Scientists Create ‘Any Wavelength’ Lasers in Tiny Circuits for Light

News and Updates

Mary Kombolias

Welcome to Mary Kombolias!

The NIST Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) is pleased to have Mary Kombolias from the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) at NIST join us on a one year...

Events

Awards

Jun Ye (from the chest up) standing in front of a wall of books and awards. Background is blurred out.

Jun Ye Receives the Quantum 100 Award

Ye is “recognized for his curiosity and his hands-on approach to experimentation,” according to the Quantum 100 list. “He has built a world-class research program using light, atoms, molecules, and advanced optical tools to explore nature with unprec

Using quantum sensing to detect pneumonia and asthma in children illustration

Jun Ye Receives 2025 AB Nexus Grant

Principal Investigators: Lilliam Ambroggio, PhD (CU Anschutz) and Jun Ye, PhD (CU Boulder) Using quantum sensing and advanced laser technologies, this project aims to develop a new breath test to help doctors quickly and safely differentiate between...
Michelle Stephens headshot

Michelle Stephens Receives 2024 Arthur S. Flemming Award

Michelle Stephens is being recognized in the Leadership-Management category for advancing the accurate measurement of infrared and optical radiation required for defense, climate, and fundamental science, such as determining the output of high-power...
Shannon Duff

Shannon Duff Receives 2024 Arthur S. Flemming Award

Shannon Duff has received a 2024 Arthur S. Flemming Award in the Applied Science and Engineering category for her outstanding federal service in establishing a program to produce sensor arrays for measurements of the cosmic microwave background...
View All Awards

Press Coverage

Wide shot shows two researchers on either side of a scientific device made of metal cylinders, peering closely at it.

NIST Weighs In On 225-Year Mystery of Big G

Quantum Zeitgeist
For over 225 years, scientists have struggled to pinpoint the value of big G, the universal gravitational constant that dictates the strength of attraction...
Two male researchers in casual clothes and protective eyewear stand in the lab, pointing at a screen hooked up to a laser science instrument.

‘Any wavelength’ lasers for PICs?

Laser Focus World
NIST-led team of researchers leverages nonlinear optics of tantalum pentoxide to achieve ‘any wavelength’ lasers atop other photonic circuitry to allow...

Patents

Continuous-Wave Laser Source And Making A Continuous-Wave Laser Source

NIST Inventors
Scott Papp
A method of designing a continuous-wave laser source having a target output wavelength and an input laser with a wavelength different from the target output wavelength includes the steps of receiving the target output wavelength, and subordinate properties of the laser source; determining a

Sound Pressure Metrology Instrument And Determining Sound Pressure From Index Of Refraction

NIST Inventors
Richard A. Allen , Randall P Wagner , Benjamin Reschovsky and Akobuije Chijioke
A sound pressure metrology instrument determines sound pressure from index of refraction and includes: a light source that produces source light; the optical cavity that: receives an acoustic field from the sound source; receives the source light from the light source; produces acoustic-modified

Contacts

PML Director and Deputy Director

Associate Director for Measurement Services and Associate Director

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