Recommendation 1 of the 86th CIPM (1997)
Revision of the practical realization of the definition of the metre
The Comité International des Poids et Mesures,
recalling
- that in 1983 the 17th Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures (CGPM) adopted a new definition of the metre;
- that in the same year the CGPM invited the Comité International des Poids et Mesures (CIPM)
- to draw up instructions for the practical realization of the metre,
- to choose radiations which can be recommended as standards of wavelength for the interferometric measurement of length and draw up instructions for their use,
- to pursue studies undertaken to improve these standards and in due course to extend or revise these instructions;
- that in response to this invitation the CIPM adopted Recommendation 1 (CI-1983) (mise en pratique of the definition of the metre) to the effect:
- that the metre should be realized by one of the following methods:
- by means of the length l of the path travelled in vacuum by a plane electromagnetic wave in a time t; this length is obtained from the measured time t, using the relation
l = c0 • t and the value of the speed of light in vacuumc0 = 299 792 458 m/s, - by means of the wavelength in vacuum λ of a plane electromagnetic wave of frequency f; this wavelength is obtained from the measured frequency f using the relation
λ = c0/f and the value of the speed of light in vacuumc0 = 299 792 458 m/s, - by means of one of the radiations from the list below, whose stated wavelength in vacuum or who se stated frequency can be used with the uncertainty shown, provided that the given specifications and accepted good practice are followed;
- by means of the length l of the path travelled in vacuum by a plane electromagnetic wave in a time t; this length is obtained from the measured time t, using the relation
- that in all cases any necessary corrections be applied to take account of actual conditions such as diffraction, gravitation or imperfection in the vacuum;
- that the metre should be realized by one of the following methods:
- that the CIPM had already recommended a li st of radiations for this purpose;
recalling also that in 1992 the CIPM revised the practical realization of the definition of the metre;
considering
- that science and technology continue to demand improved accuracy in the realization of the metre;
- that since 1992 work in nationallaboratories, in the BIPM and elsewhere has identified new radiations and methods for their realization which lead to lower uncertainties;
- such work has also substantially reduced the uncertainty in the determined value of the frequency and wavelength in vacuum of one of the previously recommended radiations;
- that a revision of the list of recommended radiations is desirable for many applications, which incIude not only the direct realization of the metre by means of optical interferometry for practicallength measurement, but also spectroscopy, atomic and molecular physics and the determination of fundamental physical constants;
recommends
- that the li st of recommended radiations given by the CIPM in 1992 (Recommendation 3 (CI-1992) be replaced by the list of radiations given below;
- that to the rules for the realization of the metre the following note be added conceming general relativity:
In the context of general relativity, the metre is considered a unit of proper length. Its definition, therefore, applies only within a spatial extent sufficiently small that the effects of the non-uniformity of the gravitational field can be ignored. In this case, the effects to be taken into account are those of special relativity only. The local methods for the realization of the metre recommended in b) and c) pro vide the proper metre but not necessarily that given in a). Method a) should, therefore, be restricted to lengths 1 which are sufficiently short for the effects predicted by general relativity to be negligible with respect to the uncertainties of realization. For advice on the interpretation of measurements in which this is not the case, see the report of the CCDS working group on the application of general relativity to metrology (Application of general relativity to metrology, Metrologia, 1997, 34,261-290).
Note. Current practice is to use c0 to denote the speed oflight in vacuum (ISO 31). In the original Recommendation of 1983, the symbol c was used for this purpose.
FOR THE PRACTICAL REALIZATION OF THE METRE, 1997:
FREQUENCIES AND VACUUM WAVELENGTHS
This list replaces those published in BIPM Proc.-Verb. Com. Int. Poids et Mesures, 1983,51,25-28,1992,60,141-144 and Metrologia, 1984,19, 165-166, 1993/94,30,523-541.
In this list, the values of the frequency f and of the vacuum wavelength λ should be related exactly by the relation
The data and analysis used for the compilation of this list are set out in the associated Appendix: Source data for the list of recommended radiations, 1997 and its Annotated bibliography.
It should be noted that for several of the listed radiations, few independent values are available, so the estimated uncertainties may not reflect aU sources of variability.
Each of the listed radiations can be replaced, without degrading the accuracy, by a radiation corresponding to another component of the same transition or by another radiation, when the frequency difference is known with sufficient accuracy. It should be also noted that to achieve the uncertainties given here it is not sufficient just to meet the specifications for the listed parameters. In addition, it is necessary to foUow the best good practice conceming methods of stabilization as described in numerous scientific and technical publications. References to appropriate articles, illustrating accepted good practice for a particular radiation, may be obtained by application to a member laboratory of the CCDM(1) or to the BIPM.
(1) At its 1997 meeting, the CIPM changed the name of the Consultative Committee for the Definition of the Metre (CCDM) to Consultative Committee for Length (CCL).
1 Recommended radiations of stabilized lasers
1.1 Absorbing atom 1H, IS-2S, two-photon transition
The values
f = 1 233 030 706 593.7 kHz
λ = 243 134 624.6260 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
Other hydrogen absorbing transitions may be similarly used, and are given in Appendix M 3 to the CCDM Report (1997).
1.2 Absorbing molecule 127I2, transition 43-0, P(13), component a3 (or s)
The values
f = 582 490 603.37 MHz
λ = 514 673 466.4 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
(2) For the specification of operating conditions, such as temperature, modulation width and laser power, the symbols ± refer to a tolerance, not an uncertainty.
1.3 Absorbing molecule 127I2, transition 32-0, R(56), component alO
The values
f = 563 260 223.48 MHz
λ = 532 245 036.14 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
Other 127I2 absorbing transitions close to this transition may also be used by making reference to the following frequency differences, for which the standard uncertainty is
Wavelengths for 127I2 transitions
| Transition | Frequency difference |
| x | [f(x) - f(32-0, R(56), alO)]/kHz |
| 32-0, R(57), a1 | -50 946 880.4 |
| 32-0, P(54), a1 | -47 588 892.5 |
| 35-0, P(119), a1 | -36 840 161.5 |
| 33-0, R(86), a1 | -32 190 404.0 |
| 34-0, R(106), a1 | -30 434 761.5 |
| 36-0, R(134), a1 | -17 173 680.4 |
| 33-0, P(83), a21 | -15 682 074.1 |
| 32-0, P(56), a10 | 0 |
| 32-0, P(53), a1 | +2 599 708.0 |
Here, f(x) represents the frequency of the transition denoted x and f(32-0, R(56), alO) the frequency of the reference transition.
1.4 Absorbing molecule 127I2, transition 26-0, R(12), component a9
The values
f = 551 579 482.96 MHz
λ = 543 516 333.1 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
1.5 Absorbing molecule 127I2, transition 9-2, R(47), component a7 (or 0)
The values
f = 489 880 354.9 MHz
λ = 611 970770.0 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
1.6 Absorbing molecule 127I2, transition 11-5, R(127), component a13 (or i)
The values
f = 473 612 214 705 kHz
λ = 632 991 398.22 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
- ceIl-waIl temperature (25 ± 5) °C;
- cold-finger temperature (15 ± 0.2) °C;
- frequency modulation width, peak to peak (6 ± 0.3) MHz;
- one-way intracavity beam power (i.e., the output power divided by the transmittance of the output mirror) (10 ± 5) mW for an absolute value of the power shift coefficient ≤ 1.4 kHz/m W.
These conditions are by themselves insufficient to ensure that the stated standard uncertainty will be achieved. It is also necessary for the optical and electronic control systems to be operating with the appropriate technical performance. The iodine cell may also be operated under relaxed conditions, leading to the larger uncertainty specified in Appendix M 2 of the CCDM Report (1997).
1.7 Absorbing molecule 127I2, transition 8-5, P(10), component a9 (or g)
The values
f = 468 218 332.4 MHz
λ = 640 283 468.7 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
1.8 Absorbing atom 40Ca, transition 1S0 - 3P1, ΔmJ = O.
The values
f = 455 986 240 494.15 kHz
λ = 657 459 439.2917 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
1.9 Absorbing ion 88Sr+, transition 52S1/2 - 42D5/2
The values
f = 444 779 044.04 MHz
λ = 674 025 590.95 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
1.10 Absorbing atom 85Rb, 5S1/2 (F= 3) - 5D5/2 (F= 5), two-photon transition
The values
f = 385 285 142 378 kHz
λ = 778 105 421.22 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
Other rubidium absorbing transitions may also be used, and are given in Appendix M 3 to the CCDM Report (1997).
1.11 Absorbing molecule CH4, transition v3, P(7), component F2(2)
1.11.1 The values
f = 88 376 181 600.18 kHz
λ = 3 392 231 397.327 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
1.11.2 The values
f = 88 376 181 600.5 kHz
λ = 3 392 231 397.31 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
- methane pressure ≤ 3 Pa;
- mean one-way intracavity surface power density (i.e., the output power density divided by the transmittance of the output mirror) ≤ 104 Wm-2;
- radius of wavefront curvature ≥ 1 m;
- inequality of power between counter-propagating waves ≤ 5 %;
- servo referenced to a detector placed at the output facing the laser tube.
1.12 Absorbing molecule OsO4, transition in coincidence with the 12C16O2, R(12) laser line
The values
f = 29 096 274 952.34 kHz
λ = 10 303 465 254.27 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
Other transitions may also be used, and are given in Appendix M 3 of the CCDM Report (1997).
2 Recommended values for radiations of spectral lamps and other sources
2.1 Radiation corresponding to the transition between the levels 2p10 and 5d5 of the atom of 86Kr
The value λ = 605 780 210.3 fm
with a relative expanded uncertainty(3), U = kuc (k = 3), of
The radiation of 86Kr is obtained by means of a hot cathode discharge lamp containing 86Kr, of a purity not less than 99 %, in sufficient quantity to assure the presence of solid krypton at a temperature of 64 K, this lamp having a capillary with the following characteristics: inner diameter from 2 mm to 4 mm, wall thickness about 1 mm.
It is estimated that the wavelength of the radiation emitted by the positive column is equal, to within 1 part in 108, to the wavelength corresponding to the transition between the unperturbed levels, when the following conditions are satisfied:
- the capillary is observed end-on from the side closest to the anode;
- the lower part of the lamp, inc1uding the capillary, is immersed in a cold bath maintained at a temperature within one degree of the triple point of nitrogen;
- the current density in the capillary is (0.3 ± 0.1) A/cm2.
(3) The uncertainty quoted in the 1960 document was
2.2 Radiations for atoms of 86Kr, 198Hg and 114Cd
In 1963 the CIPM (BIPM Com. Cons. Déf. Mètre, 1962,3,18-19 and BIPM Proc.-Verb. Com. Int. Poids et Mesures, 1963,52,26-27) specified values for the vacuum wavelengths, λ, operating conditions, and the corresponding uncertainties, for certain transitions in 86Kr, 198Hg and 114Cd.
Vacuum wavelengths, λ, for 86Kr transitions
| Transition | λ/pm |
| 2P9 - 5d'4 | 645 807.20 |
| 2P8 - 5d4 | 642 280.06 |
| lS3 - 3P10 | 565 112.86 |
| 1s4 - 3P8 | 450 361.62 |
For 86Kr, the above values apply, with a relative uncertainty of
Vacuum wavelengths, λ, for 198Hg transitions
| Transition | λ/pm |
| 61P1 - 61D2 | 579 226.83 |
| 61P1 - 63D2 | 577 119.83 |
| 63P2 - 73S1 | 546 227.05 |
| 63P1 - 73S1 | 435 956.24 |
For 198Hg, the above values apply, with a relative uncertainty of
- the radiations are produced using a discharge lamp without electrodes containing 198Hg, of a purity not less than 98 %, and argon at a pressure from 0.5 mm Hg to 1.0 mm Hg (66 Pa to 133 Pa);
- the internaI diameter of the capillary of the lamp is about 5 mm, and the radiation is observed transversely;
- the lamp is excited by a high-frequency field at a moderate power and is maintained at a temperature less than 10 °C;
- it is preferred that the volume of the lamp be greater than 20 cm3.
Vacuum wavelengths, λ, for 114Cd transitions
| Transition | λ/pm |
| 51p1 - 51D2 | 644 024.80 |
| 53P2 - 63S1 | 508 723.79 |
| 53P1 - 63S1 | 480 125.21 |
| 53P0 - 63S1 | 467 945.81 |
For 114Cd, the above values apply, with a relative uncertainty of
- the radiations are generated using a discharge lamp without electrodes, containing 114Cd of a purity not less than 95 %, and argon at a pressure of about 1 mm Hg (133 Pa) at ambient temperature;
- the internaI diameter of the capillary of the lamp is about 5 mm, and the radiation is observed transversely;
- the lamp is excited by a high-frequency field at a moderate power and is maintained at a temperature such that the green line is not reversed.
Note. The uncertainties quoted throughout Section 2.2 are judged to correspond to relative expanded uncertainties U = kuc (k = 3), equal to three times the relative combined standard uncertainties.
2.3 Absorbing molecule 127I2, transition 17-1, P(62) component al, as recommended by the CIPM in 1992 (BIPM Com. Cons. Déf. Mètre, 1992,8, M18 and M137, and Mise en Pratique of the Definition of the Metre (1992), Metrologia, 1993/94,30,523-541).
The values
f= 520 206 808.4 MHz
λ = 576 294 760.4 fm
with a relative standard uncertainty of
DOI : 10.59161/CIPM1997REC1E
The reader should note that the official version of this Resolution is the French text