Practical quantum realization of the ampere from the electron charge

TL;DR

This paper presents a practical quantum current generator based on fundamental constants, enabling highly accurate current measurements and supporting the redefinition of the ampere in the SI system.

Contribution

It introduces a universal programmable quantum current source using quantum Hall and Josephson standards, achieving traceable currents with 10^{-8} uncertainty.

Findings

Currents in the milliampere range are quantized in terms of ef_J.

Measurement uncertainty of the generated current is 10^{-8}.

The device improves current traceability and calibration accuracy.

Abstract

One major change of the future revision of the International System of Units (SI) is a new definition of the ampere based on the elementary charge \emph{e}. Replacing the former definition based on Amp\`ere's force law will allow one to fully benefit from quantum physics to realize the ampere. However, a quantum realization of the ampere from \emph{e}, accurate to within $10^{-8}$ in relative value and fulfilling traceability needs, is still missing despite many efforts have been spent for the development of single-electron tunneling devices. Starting again with Ohm's law, applied here in a quantum circuit combining the quantum Hall resistance and Josephson voltage standards with a superconducting cryogenic amplifier, we report on a practical and universal programmable quantum current generator. We demonstrate that currents generated in the milliampere range are quantized in terms of $ef_\mathrm{J}$ ($f_\mathrm{J}$ is the Josephson frequency) with a measurement uncertainty of $10^{-8}$. This new quantum current source, able to deliver such accurate currents down to the microampere range, can greatly improve the current measurement traceability, as demonstrated with the calibrations of digital ammeters. Beyond, it opens the way to further developments in metrology and in fundamental physics, such as a quantum multimeter or new accurate comparisons to single electron pumps.