Optical Technology Division: Low Background 

Infrared Calibration Facility Quality Manual 

LBIR Project Leader Review: Date: 

Technical Manager Approval: Date: 

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1. Scope 

The NIST Quality System for the Low Background Infrared Calibration Facility is 

organized into three levels of manuals. The first level, NIST Quality Manual for 

Measurement Services QM – 1 (NIST QM-1) contains NIST-wide policies and 

procedures stemming from the executive leadership of NIST. The second level, 

Optical Technology Division Quality Manual, (Div844QM2), contains the policies 

and procedures established and maintained by Division 844, the Physics Laboratory’s 

Optical Technology Division (OTD), to meet their technical needs. NIST-QM-1 is 

explicitly referenced in document Div844QM2. This quality manual, Optical 

Technology Division: Low Background Infrared Calibration Facility Quality Manual, 

(Div844QM3-LBIR), is for the Low Background Infrared Calibration Facility 

calibration services and is the third level. This document contains the quality-specific 

policies and procedures for activities such as acquisition of materials and supporting 

services; technical procedures for calibrations; staff qualifications, responsibilities, 

and training; handling and storage of calibration items; quality assurance procedures; 

creation, storage, and control of technical records of all types; and document 

development and control relevant to the Low Background Infrared quality system. 

These Low Background Infrared Calibration Facility services include: 

1. LBIR-1 Calibration of Cryogenic Blackbodies, 

2. LBIR-2 Characterization of Radiometers, 

3. LBIR-3 Characterization of Detectors, and 

4. LBIR-4 Special Tests at Off-Site Locations. 
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2. References 

1. NIST Quality Manual for Measurement Services QM – 1 

http://physics.nist.gov/Divisions/Div846/QualMan/QM1/nist-QM1.pdf

2. Optical Technology Division Quality Manual (Div844QM2 - For Division 

Internal use only- Latest update with the Division Quality Manager) 

3. D. Sears, T. Marsh, T. M. Jung, A. Smith, J. Fedchak, J. Proctor and A.C. 

Carter, LBIR Facility Manual, 2006. 

4. R. U. Datla, M. C. Croarkin, and A. C. Parr, Cryogenic Blackbody 

Calibrations at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Low 

Background Infrared Calibration Facility, Journal of Research of the National 

Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 99, Number 1, January – 

February, 1994, p 77-86. 

5. C. A. Morgan, T. M. Jung, A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, and R. U. Datla, An 

Expanded Broadband Calibration Capability at the NIST LBIR Facility, 

Proceedings of SPIE Vol 3361, Thermosense XX, Eustace L. Dereniak, 

Optical Sciences Ctr./Univ. of Arizona; Robert E. Sampson, I Technology 

Applications, April 1998 

6. R. U. Datla, K. Stock, A. C. Parr, C. C. Hoyt, P. J. Miller, and P. V. Foukal, 

Characterization of an absolute cryogenic radiometer as a standard detector 

for radiant-power Measurements. Applied Optics, Vol. 31, No. 34, 1 

December 1992, p. 7219-7225. 

7. R. U. Datla, S. C. Ebner, J. Proctor, A. C. Parr, LBIR Facility User Handbook, 

National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 147, June 1991, 26 

pages. 

8. A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, T. M. Jung, B. J. Klemme, R. U. Datla, NIST 

facility for spectral calibration of detectors: calibration of arsenic-doped 

silicon-blocked impurity band detectors, Proc. SPIE Vol 4028, p. 420-425, 

Infrared Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays VI, E. L. Dereniak and R. E. 

Sampson, Eds, July 2000 

9. T. M. Jung, A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, and R. U. Datla, NIST-BMDO 

Transfer Radiometer (BXR), Infrared Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays VI, 

Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4028 99, 2000. 
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10. B. N. Taylor, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), 

NIST Special Publication 811 (1995). 

(http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/pdf/sp811.pdf) 

11. B. N. Taylor and C. E. Kuyatt, Guidelines for Evaluating and Expressing the 

Uncertainty of NIST Measurement Results,” NIST Technical Note 1297 

(1994). (http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/pdf/tn1297.pdf) 
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3. Definitions

The following definitions are unique to the NIST Low Background Infrared (LBIR) 

Calibration Facility Quality System. 

a. LBIR Technical Manager - The Group Leader to which the LBIR Facility is 

assigned. The LBIR Technical Manager provides technical and managerial 

direction, and makes all the budgetary decisions for the maintenance and 

improvement of the facility to meet the needs of the extramural (outside NIST) 

and intramural (within NIST) customers. The Technical Manager works closely 

with the LBIR Project Leader and Project scientists to define LBIR strategic goals 

to meet the calibration needs of LBIR customers. Other major duties include 

reviewing and approving all special test/calibration reports for the Low 

Background Infrared Calibration Facility services under his responsibility, 

working with the LBIR Project Leader/LBIR Project Scientists as necessary to 

define special test parameters and uncertainties with Customers, and to resolve 

Customer complaints, resolve corrective actions, and review preventative action 

plans. Reviews and approves the LBIR calibration service(s) quality manual 

(QM3) and procedures as necessary and annually audits the LBIR calibration 

service(s) (technical details) to insure the correctness or validity of the calibration 

service’s measurements.

b. LBIR Project Leader – Responsible for providing technical support in 

measurement science, instrumentation design, development, improvement, repair, 

and testing. Provides logistic support in scheduling routine and special 

tests/calibrations, low background infrared calibrations units realizations, and 

maintenance of the units. Provides liaison to intramural and extramural 

customers. Ensures that the quality system is implemented and followed at all 

times. 

c. LBIR Project Scientist – Responsible for providing theoretical/technical support 

in infrared measurement science, instrumentation design, development, 

improvement, repair, and testing. Provides logistic support in scheduling routine 

and special tests/calibrations, analysis of data, low background infrared 

calibrations units realizations, uncertainty analysis and maintenance of the units. 

d. LBIR Service Personnel – Responsible for day-to-day operation, modification, 

repair, and testing of the LBIR measurement systems. 
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4. Management Requirements

4.1 Organization 

NIST QM-I section 4.1 covers the organizational structure of NIST from its 

description as a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Commerce 

Department’s Technology Administration to the Division Chief level. Document 

Div844QM2 section 4.1 covers the organizational relationships from the Division 

Chief to the calibration service personnel. These two documents cover areas 

including legal responsibilities, NIST core values, ethical conduct, impartiality, 

objectivity, protection of confidential or proprietary information and the statement 

that the NIST Quality System is in conformity with the international standard 

ISO/IEC 17025. 

The following sections describe the organizational structure of the Low Background 

Infrared Calibration Facility including the physical location of laboratories and the 

personnel with authority and responsibility for measurements and support work. 

4.1.1 Physical Location 

The Low Background Infrared services are performed at the NIST Gaithersburg 

Campus in the Physics Building (Building 221) in room A26. The management 

system described in documents NIST-QM-I, Div844QM2, and, in this document 

(Div844QM3-LBIR) shall cover the work carried out in these designated laboratories. 

Additional calibration services are performed at off-site locations as required by the 

client. 

4.1.2 Responsibilities and Authorities 

As stated in document Div844QM2, the Division Chief maintains the overall 

authority and responsibility of the calibration services offered by the Optical 

Technology Division (844). Within Low Background Infrared services, the LBIR 

Technical Manager working with the LBIR Project Leader maintains the overall 

authority and responsibility of the calibration and test services offered and ensures 

that the quality system presented in this document is implemented and followed at all 

times. The LBIR Project Leader has direct, uninterrupted communication to the 

Division Quality Managers and Technical Managers. The LBIR Project Scientists 

and the LBIR Service Personnel have direct, uninterrupted communication with the 

LBIR Project Leader. 

The management personnel are designated in Section 4.1 of the Optical Technology 

Division Quality Manual (Div844QM2). The following list designates the personnel 
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specific to Low Background Infrared services with their position. Any temporary 

changes are designated by a memorandum to the Division Chief. 

LBIR Technical Manager Joe Rice 

LBIR Project Leader: Simon Kaplan 

LBIR Project Scientist: Timothy Jung 

LBIR Project Scientist: Soloman Woods 

LBIR Project Scientist Adriaan Carter 

LBIR Project Scientist Raju Datla 

LBIR Project Scientist: James Proctor 

LBIR Service Personnel: Dale Sears 

LBIR Service Personnel: Greg Ly 

LBIR Service Personnel Tomoya Ohno 

 

4.2 Quality system 

This section documents the Low Background Infrared Calibration Facility quality 

system. This documentation shall be available for use by the LBIR Project Scientists 

and Service Personnel. This section documents the Low Background Infrared 

policies and objectives for, and its commitment to, good laboratory practice and 

quality of calibration services. The LBIR Project Leader shall ensure that these 

policies and objectives are documented and maintained current in the Low 

Background Infrared Calibration Facility Quality Manual (Div844QM3-LBIR). The 

LBIR Project Leader shall ensure that these policies and objectives are 

communicated, understood, and implemented by all LBIR Project Scientists and 

Service Personnel. 

The NIST policies and operational procedures related to quality management are 

documented in NIST QM-I. The Division 844 policies and operational procedures 

related to quality management are documented in Div844QM2. The services offered 

by the Low Background Infrared Calibration Facility include: 

1. LBIR-1 Calibration of Cryogenic Blackbodies, 

2. LBIR-2 Characterization of Radiometers, 

3. LBIR-3 Characterization of Detectors, and 

4. LBIR-4 Special Tests at Off-Site Locations. 

Each of these services is procedurally documented in this manual with supporting 

documentation in the LBIR Facility Manual. 
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Quality Policy Statement. The Low Background Infrared Calibration Facility, of 

the NIST Optical Technology Division, maintains the Low Background Infrared 

Absolute Cryogenic Radiometers (ACRs) as traceable to the Absolute Cryogenic 

Radiometer (POWR) scale at NIST and uses them as the basis for cryogenic 

blackbody, radiometer and detector calibrations. 

Responsibility for implementing this policy has been delegated to the LBIR Project 

Leader and the LBIR Project Scientists and Service Personnel through the technical 

management chain. This manual contains the quality objectives endorsed by the 

entire technical management chain and service personnel. Therefore, it is a 

requirement that all LBIR Project Scientists and Service Personnel familiarize 

themselves with this quality documentation and implement the policies and 

procedures in their work. As stated in document Div844QM2, the management in the 

Optical Technology Division is committed to providing each calibration service with 

the time, resources, and materials necessary to carry out these services, in compliance 

with this quality manual. 

4.3 Document control 

Procedures for control and maintenance of quality documents are described in detail 

in the document Optical Technology Division Quality Manual (Div844QM2). 

4.4 Review of requests, tenders and contracts 

Procedures for review of requests, tenders and contracts are described in detail in the 

document Optical Technology Division Quality Manual (Div844QM2). 

All communication with the customer relating to the customers requirements or the 

results of the work during the period of measurement shall be documented and 

included in the Test Folder. 

4.5 Subcontracting of tests and calibrations 

As stated in the NIST Quality Manual for Measurement Services (NIST QM-I) tests 

and calibrations are not subcontracted. 

4.6 Purchasing services and supplies 

Purchases of consumable materials needed to provide calibration services are 

procured in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Reform Act (FAR) 

(http://www.arnet.gov/far/). 
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4.7 Service to the client 

In addition to the services documented in the Optical Technology Division Quality 

Manual (Div844QM2) under section 4.7, the customer has the right to monitor and 

clarify the Low Background Infrared Facility services performance and timeliness in 

relation to the services performed. 

The LBIR Service Personnel are available for discussion through e-mail or telephone 

before the customer submits a calibration request. The NIST LBIR Website 

(http://physics.nist.gov/Divisions/Div844/facilities/lbir/lbir.html) provides service and 

contact information. The customers have reasonable access to relevant areas of the 

laboratory for witnessing examples of calibrations. The customers are allowed to be 

present during the time of actual measurements. 

After the completion of a calibration service, the customer is welcome to contact the 

LBIR Project Leader to clarify or discuss calibration procedures and results. 

4.8 Complaints 

Procedures for assessing and resolving customer complaints are described in detail in 

the documents NIST QM-I and Div844QM2. 

4.9 Control of nonconforming testing and/or calibration work 

Procedures and policies for control of nonconforming testing and/or calibration work 

are described in detail in the documents NIST QM-I and Div844QM2. 

4.10 Corrective action 

Procedures for corrective action when discrepancies are detected or departures from 

documented policy occur are described in detail in the documents NIST QM-I and 

Div844QM2. 

Any corrective action shall be noted in the appropriate laboratory notebook. Final 

determination of the effectiveness of the corrective action is the responsibility of the 

LBIR Project Leader and the LBIR Technical Manager. 

4.11 Preventive action 

As stated in NIST QM-I, excellence, a NIST core value, relies on continual 

improvement. All NIST employees are encouraged to identify needs and 

opportunities to improve our technical and quality procedures and policies. The 
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appropriate levels of technical and quality management will respond to staff 

suggestions by examining the opportunity or need and develop action plans to 

implement any changes required. The outcome will be communicated to the 

employee whose suggestion stimulated the actions. 

4.12 Control of records 

The document NIST QM-I discusses the NIST wide policies with regards to control 

of quality system documents and laboratory records and data. The document 

Div844QM2 discusses the OTD division policy on control of quality system and 

technical records. 

Low Background Infrared Calibration Facility service has many controls of technical 

records. Laboratory notebooks are maintained according to the “Physics Laboratory 

Policy on Laboratory and Research Notebooks” which is very similar to the NIST 

Research Responsibilities 

(http://wwwi.nist.gov/div222/newweb/InventorHandbook/responsibilities/notebooks.htm) 

for laboratory notebooks presented in the NIST Inventor Handbook. The information 

recorded in a notebook for a particular calibration is: 

 Customer name 

 Folder number 

 Dates 

 Experimental setup 

 Experimental parameters 

 Filenames 

When recording mistakes occur, each mistake is crossed out, not erased, made 

illegible or deleted, and the correct value is entered alongside the original. The 

notebook is confidential and is not to be accessed by anyone except LBIR scientists 

and service personnel, and management. The notebooks remain in the LBIR 

locations, which are listed in section 4.1 of this document. 

Details of the procedures for the record-keeping associated with a calibration and data 

storage and handling are given in the document LBIR Facility Manual. 

4.13 Internal audits 

Procedures and policies for conducting assessments and internal audits are described 

in detail in the documents NIST QM-I and Div844QM2. 
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4.14 Management reviews 

Reviews by management at the NIST-wide level are described in detail in the 

document NIST QM-I and at the Division level in the document Div844QM2. 
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5. Technical requirements 

5.1 Introduction 

The policies and procedures with respect to the technical requirements for Low 

Background Infrared Calibration services are found in this section. NIST QM-I 

covers the policies and procedures for those that apply across the institute. The 

technical aspects considered are personnel, accommodation and environmental 

conditions, test and calibration methods and method validation, equipment, 

traceability, and handling of test and calibration items. All of these factors contribute 

to the total uncertainty of a measurement. Low Background Infrared services take 

into account these factors in developing test and calibration methods and procedures, 

in the training and qualification of personnel, and in the selection and calibration of 

the equipment it uses. 

5.2 Personnel 

The document NIST QM-I describes the policy for assuring competent service 

personnel and also describes the continuing education and training goals for its staff. 

NIST employee records are maintained by the Human Resources Management 

Division. Low Background Infrared services also use several contractors to perform 

calibration services. 

All of the LBIR staff, scientists and service personnel listed in section 4.1.2 are 

qualified to perform all the required services and support work. Current resumes for 

all the LBIR personnel are maintained by the LBIR Technical Manager. 

5.3 Accommodation and environmental conditions 

Low Background Infrared services are performed in Room A24 in Building 221. 

These laboratory rooms contain the permanent facilities needed to produce Low 

Background Infrared services. The environment in the laboratory rooms is consistent 

with those found in research laboratories, and so are free of excessive dust, 

electromagnetic disturbances, radiation, and sound and vibration levels. If any of 

these conditions change from nominal levels, calibration activity ceases until the 

condition is corrected. 

The temperature nominally remains at 24° C ± 2 °C. The relative humidity nominally 

remains in the range of 20 % to 70 %. Service personnel have no control over the 

laboratory humidity and little control over its temperature. The temperature and 

humidity typically have no effect on Low Background Infrared services. 
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The laboratory rooms accommodate only activities that relate to the Low Background 

Infrared Calibration Facility services or research and development efforts for LBIR 

calibrations and characterizations. The laboratory rooms are kept locked when LBIR 

personnel are not present. Other measures to control access to the laboratories are 

covered in Optical Technology Division Quality Manual (Div844QM2). 

5.4 Test and calibration methods and method validation. 

The calibration services that are offered have been documented in proceedings and 

peer reviewed journal articles. The calibration methods and procedures for all 

calibrations and related activities are documented in these documents. Included are 

measurement theory and scale realization, assessment of uncertainties, and data 

analysis. The personnel charged with the research shall present the developments to 

the scientific community for approval through talks and lectures. The LBIR Facility 

Manual also contains references to all these sources of documentation for LBIR 

services. 

Low Background Infrared services use appropriate methods and procedures for all 

calibrations, which are listed below. The four major areas of calibrations are: 

a. LBIR-1 Calibration of Cryogenic Blackbodies. 

The calibration of cryogenic blackbodies utilizes the Broadband Calibration 

Chamber. The radiant power of the blackbody is measured with the ACR I 

radiometer. The temperature of the blackbody is calculated from the radiant power 

with the use of known geometric factors affecting the radiation from the blackbody to 

the ACR I. This method is documented in the following documents. 

1. R. U. Datla, M. C. Croarkin, and A. C. Parr, Cryogenic Blackbody 

Calibrations at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Low 

Background Infrared Calibration Facility, Journal of Research of the National 

Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 99, Number 1, January – 

February, 1994, p 77-86. 

2. C. A. Morgan, T. M. Jung, A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, and R. U. Datla, An 

Expanded Broadband Calibration Capability at the NIST LBIR Facility, 

Proceedings of SPIE Vol 3361, Thermosense XX, Eustace L. Dereniak, 

Optical Sciences Ctr./Univ. of Arizona; Robert E. Sampson, I Technology 

Applications, April 1998 
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b. LBIR-2 Characterization of Radiometers 

The characterization of radiometers in a cryogenic environment is performed in the 

Broadband Calibration Chamber. Radiation from the source blackbody is collimated 

through a 10 cm collimator and then directed onto either the ACR II radiometer or the 

radiometer under test. The ACR II radiometer determines the radiant power at the 

monochromator settings being utilized. Several calibration methods are available and 

are explained in the following documents. 

c. LBIR-3 Characterization of Detectors 

The characterization of detectors in a cryogenic environment is performed in the 

Spectral Calibration Chamber. Radiation from the source blackbody is focused 

through the monochromator and is then focused again onto either the ACR II 

radiometer or the detector under test. The ACR II radiometer determines the radiant 

power at the monochromator settings being utilized. Several detectors can be 

mounted on a detector paddle and several lenses are available to calibrate a variety of 

detector configurations and sizes. Several calibration methods are available and are 

explained in the following document. 

1. A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, T. M. Jung, B. J. Klemme, R. U. Datla, NIST 

facility for spectral calibration of detectors: calibration of arsenic-doped 

silicon-blocked impurity band detectors, Proc. SPIE Vol 4028, p. 420-425, 

Infrared Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays VI, E. L. Dereniak and R. E. 

Sampson, Eds, July 2000 

d. LBIR-4 Special Tests at Off-Site Locations 

The BXR radiometer is currently the primary instrument used for special tests at offsite locations. 
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5.5 Equipment 

The instruments used for LBIR Calibration Facility services have the necessary 

equipment and reference standards for performing calibration measurements of 

cryogenic blackbodies, radiometers, detectors and, special tests at off-site locations. 

All equipment is maintained in proper working order. If a piece of equipment 

malfunctions, that unit is taken out of service and a properly functioning replacement 

is used. This occurrence is noted in the notebook associated with the instrument. If 

the equipment cannot be replaced or repaired, further calibration services are delayed 

until the equipment is ready for use. If the equipment defect affects previous 

calibration measurements, the customers affected are notified, the calibration items 

are recalibrated, and a revised calibration report is issued. 

Manuals provided by the manufacturer of a piece of equipment are located in the 

laboratory in which they are used. The manuals for the instruments contain 

instructions on the proper operation of the equipment. 

Six major equipment systems are used in the performance of the LBIR calibration 

services. These systems and their operation are described in the LBIR Facility 

Manual. These equipment systems are: 

a. Broadband Calibration Chamber (BCC) 

The Broadband Calibration Chamber is contained in a stainless steel vacuum vessel 

152 cm long and 60 cm in diameter. This vessel is lined with a cryogenic shroud 

made up of two concentric copper cylindrical shields with endplates, separated by a 

2.54 cm gap. The inner shield is cooled to 20 K for the calibration environment by the 

Helium Refrigeration System. The BCC is used mainly to calibrate blackbodies for 

radiance temperature. The Absolute Cryogenic Radiometer (ACR I) radiometer is the 

standard for calibrations in this chamber. A copper disk partitions the interior into a 

source volume and a detector volume. The ACR I can be mounted in three different 

positions and the source can be mounted in an antechamber mounted on the front of 

the BCC. The distance from the blackbody to the ACR is measured with a stepper 

motor used with an invar rod. A bi-directional gate valve between the chambers 

permits access to either chamber while the other chamber is kept in vacuum. Vacuum 

pump-down is accomplished with a dedicated 500 L/s turbopump and a 2000 L/s 

cryopump. 

The equipment of the Broadband Calibration Chamber is described in detail in the 

following documents: 
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1. R. U. Datla, M. C. Croarkin, and A. C. Parr, Cryogenic Blackbody 

Calibrations at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Low 

Background Infrared Calibration Facility, Journal of Research of the National 

Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 99, Number 1, January – 

February, 1994, p 77-86. 

2. C. A. Morgan, T. M. Jung, A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, and R. U. Datla, An 

Expanded Broadband Calibration Capability at the NIST LBIR Facility, 

Proceedings of SPIE Vol 3361, Thermosense XX, Eustace L. Dereniak, 

Optical Sciences Ctr./Univ. of Arizona; Robert E. Sampson, I Technology 

Applications, April 1998 

b. Spectral Calibration Chamber (SCC) 

The Spectral Calibration Chamber is contained in a stainless steel vacuum vessel 145 

cm long and 60 cm in diameter. Access to the inside of the chamber is through a 40 x 

90 cm rectangular door on a hinge. The SCC is cooled to 25 K by cold helium gas 

from the Helium Refrigeration system. The cryoshields are made of stainless steel in a 

quilted design to achieve a better defined shape for improved light tightness. The SCC 

is used mainly to calibrate detectors and filters. The source is an 800 K blackbody 

used with a two-stage monochromator. The spectral resolution of the grating 

monochromator is nominally 2% from 2 μm to 30 μm. The system has a grating cube 

with rulings on four faces to cover the selected wavelength range with a resolving 

power of 50 and f/4 optics. Light from the monochromator is focused onto test items 

by focusing lenses. The standard for the SCC is an Absolute Cryogenic Radiometer 

(ACR II) that can measure lower power than ACR I in the BCC. The monochromator 

and optics have been calibrated for throughput as a part of the calibration process. 

Vacuum pump-down is accomplished with a 350 L/s turbopump and two 2000 L/s 

cryopumps. The spectral instrument is mounted on a translation stage to move it in 

and out of the optical path for measuring the broadband absolute radiant power output 

of any test source using the ACR. The spectral calibration chamber can be operated to 

provide any background temperature between 20 K and 300 K. 

The equipment of the Spectral Calibration Chamber is described in detail in the 

following document: 

1. A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, T. M. Jung, B. J. Klemme, R. U. Datla, NIST 

facility for spectral calibration of detectors: calibration of arsenic-doped 

silicon-blocked impurity band detectors, Proc. SPIE Vol 4028, p. 420-425, 

Infrared Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays VI, E. L. Dereniak and R. E. 

Sampson, Eds, July 2000 
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c. Helium Refrigeration System, 

Both the Broadband Calibration Chamber and the Spectral Calibration Chamber are 

cooled to a temperature of 20 K by cold helium gas. The helium gas is cooled by a 

closed cycle Model 1620 helium refrigerator that was originally purchased from 

Process Systems International (PSI). PSI product line is currently owned by Linde AG 

company and currently all servicing and parts for the LBIR helium refrigeration 

system are available from Linde AG corporation. Two helium compressors drive the 

Model 1620 refrigerator and are located in an equipment room about 100 meters away. 

A storage tank and bottle racks provide ultra-pure helium reservoirs needed for the 

refrigerator cooling cycle. The cooled gas cools the inner shields of both chambers to 

20 K and the outer shields to 40K. The refrigerator has a cooling capacity of 

approximately 200 watts at 10 K. The refrigerator is connected to both chambers by 

helium transfer lines with valving that permits the operation of either chamber or both 

chambers at once. 

The equipment of the Helium Refrigeration System is described in detail in the 

manuals of Model 1620 and its corresponding compressor units. These manuals are 

located in the LBIR Manual rack in Room A21 in Bldg 221. The maintenance 

procedures are summarized in the following document. 

1. D. Sears, T. Marsh, T. M. Jung, A. Smith, J. Fedchak, J. Proctor and A.C. 

Carter, LBIR Facility Manual, 2006. 

d. Absolute Cryogenic Radiometers (ACRs). 

The standards for both the Broadband Calibration Chamber and the Spectral 

Calibration Chamber are Absolute Cryogenic Radiometers (ACRs). The BCC 

chamber uses the ACR I radiometer. The ACR I is an active cavity radiometer 

operated at 2 – 4 K for measuring power in the range of 20 nW to 100 μW with 

uncertainty of ±1% (2σ level). The accuracy of the ACR is based on thermal modeling 

and measurements of operational concepts. The diameter of the receiver cone is 3 cm, 

the time constant is about 20 seconds, and the responsivity and non-equivalence error 

have been measured. 

The ACR II radiometer is the standard in the SSC is like that used in the broadband 

measurements chamber except that it has been designed to measure much lower 

powers. The diameter of the receiver cone is 2.5 cm, the receiver cone has a lower 

thermal mass to achieve a noise floor of 10 pW and the time constant is 15 seconds. It 

is mounted in the SCC chamber on an actively cooled optical table at the exit aperture 

of the monochromator. 
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The equipment of the Absolute Cryogenic Radiometers is described in detail in the 

following documents: 

1. R. U. Datla, M. C. Croarkin, and A. C. Parr, Cryogenic Blackbody 

Calibrations at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Low 

Background Infrared Calibration Facility, Journal of Research of the National 

Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 99, Number 1, January – 

February, 1994, p 77-86. 

2. C. A. Morgan, T. M. Jung, A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, and R. U. Datla, An 

Expanded Broadband Calibration Capability at the NIST LBIR Facility, 

Proceedings of SPIE Vol 3361, Thermosense XX, Eustace L. Dereniak, 

Optical Sciences Ctr./Univ. of Arizona; Robert E. Sampson, I Technology 

Applications, April 1998. 

3. R. U. Datla, K. Stock, A. C. Parr, C. C. Hoyt, P. J. Miller, and P. V. Foukal, 

Characterization of an absolute cryogenic radiometer as a standard detector 

for radiant-power Measurements. Applied Optics, Vol. 31, No. 34, 1 

December 1992, p. 7219-7225. 

4. R. U. Datla, S. C. Ebner, J. Proctor, A. C. Parr, LBIR Facility User Handbook, 

National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 147, June 1991, 26 

pages. 

5. A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, T. M. Jung, B. J. Klemme, R. U. Datla, NIST 

facility for spectral calibration of detectors: calibration of arsenic-doped 

silicon-blocked impurity band detectors, Proc. SPIE Vol 4028, p. 420-425, 

Infrared Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays VI, E. L. Dereniak and R. E. 

Sampson, Eds, July 2000 

e. BXR Radiometer 

The BMDO Transfer Radiometer (BXR) is designed to measure the irradiance of a 

collimated source of infrared light having an angular divergence of less than 1 mrad. 

It is capable of measuring irradiance levels as low as 10 -15 W/cm2 over the spectral 

range from 2 μm to 30 μm with an uncertainty of ±5%. Spectral resolution is provided 

by narrow bandpass interference filters. All components of the radiometer, which 

include a mechanical shutter, internal calibration source and detector, a long baffle 

section, a spatial filter, two filter wheels, and a two-axis detector stage are cooled to 

below 20 K. The BXR is designed to be attached to a low background cryogenic 

vacuum chamber having inner shroud temperatures of 20K and below and is easily 
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 transportable. It has a defining entrance aperture of 7 cm. The noise equivalent 

power is 3 x 10-16 W when used with the 1 mm2 detector BIB detector. The BXR is 

intended for use with a modulated signal and must be calibrated with a collimated 

source. 

1. T. M. Jung, A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, and R. U. Datla, NIST-BMDO 

Transfer Radiometer (BXR), Infrared Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays VI, 

Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4028 99, 2000. 

f. 10 CM collimator (10CC) 

The 10 cm Collimator (10CC) is designed to be a calibration source for the BXR I, as 

well as for any similar instruments. It is an instrument that can produce a 10 cm 

diameter collimated infrared beam that can be calibrated by an ACR, which is then 

used to calibrate the BXR I. The source for the 10CC is an internal blackbody that 

can be varied from 180 K to 800 K. Radiation from the source is collimated to a 2 cm 

beam which is passed through filter wheels to provide limited spectral capability. 

The 2 cm beam is then focused down to the back side of aperture wheel that contains 

apertures with a range of sizes. These apertures are at the focal point of the main 

collimating mirror that produces a beam that is approximately 12 cm, of which only 

the central 10 cm is specified to be used for calibration activity. By varying the 

aperture at the mirrors focal point, the degree of collimation from the 10CC is varied 

from 0.050 mrad to 1 mrad by selecting one of 6 apertures in the aperture wheel. The 

10CC is a vacuum-cryogenic instrument with all components enclosed in a cryogenic 

shroud, such that the entire system attains a 15 K background environment. The 

optical system (mirrors, apertures and baffles) was designed to be easily modeled 

with respect to geometric optics and diffraction. This was done to maximize the 

potential agreement between its actual and theoretical performance, which is a 

necessary step in maximizing confidence in its calibration capability. 

5.6 Traceability 

Traceability for Low Background Infrared services is established as part of the 

measurement assurance program. The traceability for each of the LBIR services is 

documented in proceedings and peer reviewed journal articles, as well as in the 

calibration reports for special or unique measurements. 

a. LBIR-1 Calibration of Cryogenic Blackbodies. 

Calibration of blackbodies for radiance temperature is traceable to the ACR I 

radiometer and geometrical measurements. The traceability of these calibrations is 

described in the following documents. 
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1. R. U. Datla, M. C. Croarkin, and A. C. Parr, Cryogenic Blackbody 

Calibrations at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Low 

Background Infrared Calibration Facility, Journal of Research of the National 

Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 99, Number 1, January – 

February, 1994, p 77-86. 

2. C. A. Morgan, T. M. Jung, A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, and R. U. Datla, An 

Expanded Broadband Calibration Capability at the NIST LBIR Facility, 

Proceedings of SPIE Vol 3361, Thermosense XX, Eustace L. Dereniak, 

Optical Sciences Ctr./Univ. of Arizona; Robert E. Sampson, I Technology 

Applications, April 1998. 

3. R. U. Datla, K. Stock, A. C. Parr, C. C. Hoyt, P. J. Miller, and P. V. Foukal, 

Characterization of an absolute cryogenic radiometer as a standard detector 

for radiant-power Measurements. Applied Optics, Vol. 31, No. 34, 1 

December 1992, p. 7219-7225. 

4. R. U. Datla, S. C. Ebner, J. Proctor, A. C. Parr, LBIR Facility User Handbook, 

National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 147, June 1991, 26 

pages. 

b. LBIR-2 Characterization of Radiometers 

Calibration and characterization measurements of radiometers are traceable to the 

ACR II radiometer. The traceability of these calibrations is same as the traceability 

established for the LBIR ACRs. 

c. LBIR-3 Characterization of Detectors 

Calibration and characterization measurements of radiometers are traceable to the 

ACR II radiometer and measurements of the monochromator spectral throughput. 

The traceability of these calibrations is described in the following documents. 

1. A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, T. M. Jung, B. J. Klemme, R. U. Datla, NIST 

facility for spectral calibration of detectors: calibration of arsenic-doped 

silicon-blocked impurity band detectors, Proc. SPIE Vol 4028, p. 420-425, 

Infrared Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays VI, E. L. Dereniak and R. E. 

Sampson, Eds, July 2000. 
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d. LBIR-4 Special Tests at Off-Site Locations 

The BMDO Transfer Standard Radiometer (BXR) is designed to measure the 

irradiance of a collimated source of infrared radiation having an angular divergence 

of less than 1 mrad at irradiance levels as low as 10-15 W/cm2. The primary goal of 

the BXR is to measure these collimated sources to a standard uncertainty goal of 5%. 

The traceability of the calibration methods utilized is described in the following 

documents: 

5.7 Sampling 

Low Background Infrared services calibrate individual items and explicitly states that 

the measurement results apply only to that specific item. LBIR services perform no 

sampling. 

5.8 Handling of test and calibration items

Calibration items for LBIR services are inspected upon receipt for possible damage or 

possible incompatibility with the proposed calibration. In particular, the items are tested 

for vacuum integrity and cleanliness suitable for a cryogenic vacuum environment. This 

procedure is described in the following documents: 

1. R. U. Datla, S. C. Ebner, J. Proctor, A. C. Parr, LBIR Facility User Handbook, 

National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 147, June 1991, 26 

pages. 

5.9 Assuring the quality of test and calibration results 

The quality of Low Background Infrared services is assured by the measurement 

assurance procedures for each the calibration services. 

a. LBIR-1 Calibration of Cryogenic Blackbodies. 

The quality of calibration of blackbodies for radiance temperature is assured by the 

quality procedures described in the following documents. 

1. R. U. Datla, M. C. Croarkin, and A. C. Parr, Cryogenic Blackbody 

Calibrations at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Low 

Background Infrared Calibration Facility, Journal of Research of the National 
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Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 99, Number 1, January – 

February, 1994, p 77-86. 

2. C. A. Morgan, T. M. Jung, A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, and R. U. Datla, An 

Expanded Broadband Calibration Capability at the NIST LBIR Facility, 

Proceedings of SPIE Vol 3361, Thermosense XX, Eustace L. Dereniak, 

Optical Sciences Ctr./Univ. of Arizona; Robert E. Sampson, I Technology 

Applications, April 1998. 

3. R. U. Datla, K. Stock, A. C. Parr, C. C. Hoyt, P. J. Miller, and P. V. Foukal, 

Characterization of an absolute cryogenic radiometer as a standard detector 

for radiant-power Measurements. Applied Optics, Vol. 31, No. 34, 1 

December 1992, p. 7219-7225. 

4. R. U. Datla, S. C. Ebner, J. Proctor, A. C. Parr, LBIR Facility User Handbook, 

National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 147, June 1991, 26 

pages. 

b. LBIR-2 Characterization of Radiometers 

The quality of calibration and characterization measurements of radiometers is 

assured by the quality procedures described in the following documents: 

 

1. A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, T. M. Jung, B. J. Klemme, R. U. Datla, NIST 

facility for spectral calibration of detectors: calibration of arsenic-doped 

silicon-blocked impurity band detectors, Proc. SPIE Vol 4028, p. 420-425, 

Infrared Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays VI, E. L. Dereniak and R. E. 

Sampson, Eds, July 2000. 

c. LBIR-3 Characterization of Detectors 

The quality of calibration and characterization measurements of detectors is assured 

by the quality procedures described in the following documents: 

 

1. A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, T. M. Jung, B. J. Klemme, R. U. Datla, NIST 

facility for spectral calibration of detectors: calibration of arsenic-doped 

silicon-blocked impurity band detectors, Proc. SPIE Vol 4028, p. 420-425, 

Infrared Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays VI, E. L. Dereniak and R. E. 

Sampson, Eds, July 2000. 
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d. LBIR-4 Special Tests at Off-Site Locations 

The quality of calibration and characterization measurements of special tests at off-site 

locations is assured by the quality procedures described in the following documents: 

1. T. M. Jung, A. C. Carter, S. R. Lorentz, and R. U. Datla, NIST-BMDO 

Transfer Radiometer (BXR), Infrared Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays VI, 

Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4028 99, 2000. 

5.10 Reporting the results 

The LBIR staff shall promptly notify a customer in writing and, if appropriate, by 

phone or e-mail of: 

a. any event, such as the identification of defective equipment, inappropriate 

procedures, or error in data reduction, which significantly effected the results 

given in the Report. Such notification shall quantify the magnitude of error 

created in the results. 

b. results significantly different from previous results on the same calibration item. 

The customer shall be advised so that the appropriate action can be taken. 

Amendments and revisions to Calibration Reports shall be made in the form of a 

document, which includes the statement “Supplement to Calibration Report” and the 

test report number shall be followed by the suffix “R” for revision. Any amendment 

shall contain the relevant parts of the format described. A Report may also be revised 

(reissued with corrections). The test report number shall also be followed by the 

suffix “R” in this case. A cover letter, similar to the one sent originally, shall be sent 

with the revised report and shall include a statement that the original report and cover 

letter should be destroyed. 

The NIST Quality Manual for Measurement Services QM – 1 (NIST QM-1) and the 

Optical Technology Division Quality Manual (Div844QM2) describe the 

requirements for calibration reports issued by the Division. These requirements 

include: 

a. a title (e.g. " Report of Test/Calibration"); 

b. the first page shall be on NIST letter head or be equivalently identified as 

originating from NIST; 
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c. the NIST Calibration Services test or calibration number, service id number 

([http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/230/233/calibrations/index.htm]); 

d. if required, the complete specification of a special test, either explicitly or by 

reference; 

e. the Test Folder number; 

f. all pages shall be numbered and the last page designated as the end of the report; 

g. the name and address of the client; 

h. a description and identification of the item(s) tested or calibrated; 

i. a description of the calibration method; 

j. the date(s) of performance of the test or calibration; 

k. the test or calibration results with, where appropriate, the units of measurement; 

l. a statement of uncertainty of each measurement result; 

m. the conditions (e.g. environmental) under which the calibrations were made that 

have an influence on the measurement results; 

n. evidence that the measurements are traceable; 

o. the name(s), function(s) and signature(s) or equivalent identification of person(s) 

p. authorizing the report; 

q. when necessary a statement that the results apply only to the items tested or 

calibrated; 

r. the name of the person(s) performing the measurements and analyses; and 

s. an explanation of the proper use and interpretation of the reported results, as 

necessary (this can be in the form of an addendum). 

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