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BIPM, NPL and PTB comparison carried out as part of EMPIR project will be used to validate AC quantum voltage standard 

Primary quantum standards for direct current (DC) voltage are well established, and over the last decade, there has been substantial research activity on alternating current (AC) quantum voltage standards for applied AC measurements in industry and scientific research. However only a few NMIs in Europe have access to these AC quantum voltage standards. EMPIR project Towards the propagation of ac quantum voltage standards (14RPT01 ACQ-PRO) aims to develop the European measurement and research capacity, and extend access to facilities where it is currently limited. 

Thanks to the collaboration of BIPM in the project, a pioneering intercomparison of AC quantum voltage standards has been arranged and will start in the first half of this year. The BIPM, NPL and PTB comparison will be used to validate the AC quantum voltage standard design. The design is based on the combination of a PJVS and ultra-stable synthesiser so different waveform can be compared. This will serve as a basis for future worldwide comparisons of AC quantum voltage standards. Increasing the number of NMIs using these standards will encourage research and development on electrical metrology for industrial applications.