Loading [MathJax]/extensions/MathMenu.js
Time and frequency measurement at NIST: the first 100 years | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore

Time and frequency measurement at NIST: the first 100 years


Abstract:

During this, the NIST Centennial Year, I look back on the first 100 years and summarize NIST work on time and frequency measurement, a topic of some prominence from the e...Show More

Abstract:

During this, the NIST Centennial Year, I look back on the first 100 years and summarize NIST work on time and frequency measurement, a topic of some prominence from the early years of the institution. Initial work at NIST (then NBS, the National Bureau of Standards) focused primarily on frequency standards needed to support the control of broadcast frequencies in the early days of radio. The Time and Frequency Division was not created until 1967, by which time a number of primary atomic frequency standards had already been developed, and it was clear that a broader program in this field was needed. This paper describes a variety of programs including the development of primary frequency standards, the international coordination of standards, statistical techniques for characterizing noise, dissemination methods, and methods for measuring optical frequency.
Date of Conference: 08-08 June 2001
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 07 August 2002
Print ISBN:0-7803-7028-7
Print ISSN: 1075-6787
Conference Location: Seattle, WA, USA

1. Introduction

The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) was established by the U.S. Congress in 1901 to develop a consistent measurement infrastructure for the United States. NBS was designed to be not a regulatory agency, but rather one that worked with science and industry to establish measurement standards that could be used to support commerce and trade, scientific research, and the general welfare. The base units of measurement were the natural purview of this new organization. The agency would undertake scientific studies to advance the state of measurement and would coordinate its standards with those of other countries. While the basic role of NBS remained relatively fixed through the years, Congress periodically added tasks that reflected changing times. Then, in 1988, Congress added substantial new components, including the Manufacturing Extension Program and the Advanced Technology Program, and in recognition of these expanded roles renamed NBS to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Since this is an historical paper, and the history covers the institution under different names, I will variously refer to it as NBS, or NIST, or simply the Bureau.

References

References is not available for this document.