The Division advances the measurement science, standards, and applications for dimensional, optical radiation, and thermodynamic quantities to support U.S. industry and trade. We maintain and disseminate standards for three of the seven SI base units: the kelvin (temperature), the meter (length), and the candela (luminous intensity).

Welcome to the Sensor Science Division

The Sensor Science Division (SSD) is based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and operates within the Physical Measurement Laboratory at NIST.

Our Vision is to be the primary driver of innovation in SI-traceable measurements for dimensional, thermodynamic, optical radiation, and fluid flow. Through our work, we enable the next generation of equitable standards that promote U.S. economic growth, technological leadership, and national security.

Our Mission is to advance the next generation of SI-traceable measurements in dimensional metrology, thermodynamics, optical radiation, and fluid flow. The Sensor Science Division delivers world-class calibrations, standards, and innovative measurement solutions that empower U.S. industry to compete globally, promote economic security, and enhance societal well-being.

SSD has institutional responsibility for the realization and dissemination of 3 of the 7 base units of the International System of Units (SI): the meter, the kelvin, and the candela. To promote world-wide standardization, SSD staff engage with the Consultative Committees for Length (CCL), for Mass and Related Quantities (CCM), for Photometry and Radiometry (CCPR), and for Thermometry (CCT) under the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM). This participation helps ensure the international comparability and international recognition of the SI-based measurements and standards disseminated by the Division. As pictured below, the division is divided into 3 technical areas which align with these 3 base SI units.

The division provides measurement science, reference materials, reference data, and technologies to foster innovation and confidence in measurements needed to advance these fields. In partnership with U.S. industry, government agencies, and scientific institutions, SSD performs fundamental and applied research on the measurement of length; temperature; infrared-to-extreme-ultraviolet radiation; pressure and vacuum; surface and interface optical and dimensional properties; gas and liquid flow; liquid volume; and humidity.

Focus Areas

• Measurement Services and Standards Development
• Large- and Small-Scale Dimensional Metrology
• Pressure/Vacuum and Temperature/Humidity
• Ambient and Low-Background Infrared Metrology
• Optical Properties of Materials
• Climate Change,Greenhouse Gas, andSpace Weather Metrology
• Flow and Volume Metrology & its Application to the Energy Sector
• Surface Texture Metrology & its Application to Firearm Forensics
• Photometry & its Application to Solid-State Lighting
• EUV Metrology using SURF III for Application to EUV Lithography

News and Updates

Research Under Pressure: NIST Scientists Make Definitive Measurement of the Optical Pascal

June 26, 2025

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and their colleagues have overcome a key obstacle to measuring gas pressure with a

NIST Moonlight Data Will Help Satellites Get a More Accurate Look at Earth

May 20, 2025

Reliable measurements of the light from our planet can help industries from agriculture to meteorology to mining.

New Atom-Based Thermometer Measures Temperature More Accurately

January 23, 2025

This atomic thermometer provides accurate measurements “out of the box” because it relies on the basic principles of quantum physics.

NIST Offers New Calibration Service for Wavemeters

December 23, 2024

For more than three decades, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has calibrated the wavelengths of lasers used in industry, academia, and

Awards

2024 PECASE - Stephen Eckel

Stephen Eckel is recognized for his pioneering work in applying cold-atom physics to solve real-world measurement problems, investigating

2024 PECASE - Nikolai Klimov

Nikolai Klimov is recognized for transformational research in photonic sensors for thermometry, dosimetry, humidity, and vacuum and for

2024 - Bronze Medal Award---Adam Biacchi, Thinh Bui, Cindi Dennis, Michael Donahue, Angela Hight Walker, Thomas Moffat, Eric Rus, Weston Tew, Solomon Woods

For the development of three-dimensional, high-resolution temperature measurement and imaging of materials using embedded magnetic nanoparticles.

2023 - Edward Bennett Rosa Award---Howard Yoon, Vladimir Khromchenko

For the development of novel infrared radiometers and radiation thermometers to support critical calibration needs of the U.S. Air Force and Army.

2023 - Gold Medal Award---John Jones II, Karen Reczek, Allison Getz, Donna Sirk, Barbara Guttman, Marcela Najarro, Alan Zheng, Will Guthrie, John Butler

For extraordinary national leadership in improving the scientific quality of forensic science practices through standards development.

Press Coverage

A new lunar benchmark: NIST’s moonlight data brings satellites into focus

NextGov

August 7, 2025

NIST is releasing the first set of what it’s calling the Moonlight Radiometric Reference Dataset, a trove of data so precise that it could change the way we see

Thermometer uses Rydberg atoms to make calibration-free measurements

Physics World

February 3, 2025

A new way to measure the temperatures of objects by studying the effect of their black-body radiation on Rydberg atoms has been demonstrated by researchers at

NIST Scientists Develop Rydberg Atoms-Based Thermometer That Measures Temperature More Accurately

Eureka! Magazine (UK)

February 3, 2025

NIST scientists have developed a new method for measuring temperature extremely accurately by using giant “Rydberg atoms.”

Cold atoms used to create reliable pressure gauge for ultrahigh vacuum

Physics World

September 5, 2023

An effect that normally gets in the way of the magnetic trapping of atoms has been harnessed to create a new method for measuring pressure in ultrahigh vacuum

Patents

Mueller Matrix Ellipsometer

NIST Inventors

Thomas A. Germer

A multi-mirror polarization state generator is combined with a multi-mirror polarization state analyzer and a detector to realize a Mueller matrix ellipsometer. It is found that grazing incidence reflection from a number of materials provides sufficient optical phase retardance to make this possible

Photonic Bolometer And Performing Broadband High-Absorption Photonic Bolometry

NIST Inventors

Nikolai Klimov, Nathan A Tomlin and Chris Yung

A photonic bolometer includes: a photonic chip; a weak thermal link; a thermally-isolated member, and the weak thermal link thermally isolates the thermally-isolated member from the photonic chip; a photonic temperature sensor; a chip waveguide in optical communication with the photonic temperature

Non-Nulling Gas Velocity Measurement Apparatus And Performing Non-Nulling Measurement Of Gas Velocity Parameters

NIST Inventors

Iosif Isaakovich Shinder and Aaron Johnson

A non-nulling gas velocity measurement apparatus performs a non-nulling measurement of gas velocity parameters and includes: a non-nulling pitot probe; gas valves in fluid communication with a different entrant aperture of the non-nulling pitot probe via a different pressure channel; receives

Self-Referenced Ambient Radiation Thermometer

NIST Inventors

Howard W. Yoon

In this work, we describe the construction and characterization of an Ambient-Radiation Thermometer (ART) which can measure non-contact temperatures from -50 deg C to 150 deg C. To increase the long-term stability of the responsivity, optical components within the field-of-view of the detector and