Primary tunnel junction thermometry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a primary thermometry method using a single tunnel junction within four arrays, enabling direct temperature measurement linked to the Boltzmann constant, potentially shaping future temperature standards.

Contribution

It presents a novel four-probe measurement technique for primary thermometry that reduces errors and directly relates temperature to fundamental constants.

Findings

Successful experimental demonstration of the method

Reduction of sample-specific and environmental errors

Potential for defining temperature scales based on fundamental constants

Abstract

We describe the concept and experimental demonstration of primary thermometry based on a four probe measurement of a single tunnel junction embedded within four arrays of junctions. We show that in this configuration random sample specific and environment-related errors can be avoided. This method relates temperature directly to Boltzmann constant, which will form the basis of the definition of temperature and realization of official temperature scales in the future.