NIST on a Chip: Revolution in Measurement S

...And Measureme
What is NIST on a Chip?

An integrated program to develop and deploy NIST-traceable measurements and physical standards that:

• Provide a broad range of measurements and standards rele

particular customer needs / applications.

• One, few, or many measurements from a single small fo

• Are manufacturable.

• Potential for production costs low enough to enable bro

deployment.

• Are deployed in the customer’s lab / 

factory floor / device / system. 

• Easily used and integrated.

• Small size and weight, low power 

consumption, rugged.
What is NIST on a Chip?

Free NIST precision measurements and physical standards frolab and directly provide them to the customer / user.
What is NIST on a Chip?

New applications enabled by small size, low power, intrinsic sta
Traditional Measurement Services vs. NIST on 

Customer needs 

calibration/measurement 

of device

Device shipped 

to NIST

NIST measurements

Device 

to cus
Traditional Measurement Services vs. NIST on 

NIST provides critical measurement needs as efficiently and effectively as possible through traditional measurement services.

But some limitations of the traditional model include:• Significant down time for customer’s standard or device.

• Customer must have back-up standards/devices, or accept dow• Standard/device cannot be easily deployed on factory floor / sys

• Expensive NIST staff time and administrative burden.• Periodic recalibrations.

• Customer cannot be certain standard/device remains in calibrat

specifications.

• Range of available calibrations/measurements may be limited 

relatively inflexible compared to changing customer needs.
Traditional Measurement Services vs. NIST on 

With NIST on a Chip:

• Customer has NIST-traceable standard in lab / on factory floo

operating device or system 24/7/365.

• No need for periodic recalibration so standard is always in ser

most cases).

• Potential for much broader and more flexible range of measur

standards.
How Realistic is NIST on a Chip?

Substantial proof-of-principle measurement science and initial demonstrations already exist:

• Provide a broad range of measurements and standards rele

particular customer needs / applications.

• One, few, or many measurements from a single small fo

• Are manufacturable.

• Potential for production costs low enough to enable bro

deployment.

• Are deployed in the customer’s lab / 

factory floor / device / system. 

• Easily used and integrated.

• Small size and weight, low power 

consumption, rugged.
Remotely Deployed Measurement Services and S

10-14 un

NIST timfrequencustom

Standard Reference Materials

NIST on a Chip – Roughly analogous to “active SRM.”
How Realistic is NIST on a Chip?

Substantial proof-of-principle already exists:

• Provide a broad range of measurements and standards rele

particular customer needs / applications.

• One, few, or many measurements from a single small fo

• Are manufacturable.

• Potential for production costs low enough to enable bro

deployment.

• Are deployed in the customer’s lab / 

factory floor / device / system. 

• Easily used and integrated.

• Small size and weight, low power 

consumption, rugged.
NIST Chip-Scale Devices

NIST chip-scale atomic clockmagnetometers.Atomically precise measuremAA battery power (~0.01 W).

NIST Josephson quantum voltage standard.Intrinsic (quantum-based) standard.~300,000 junctions.
How Realistic is NIST on a Chip?

Substantial proof-of-principle measurement science and initial demonstrations already exist:

• Provide a broad range of measurements and standards rele

particular customer needs / applications.

• One, few, or many measurements from a single small fo

• Are manufacturable.

• Potential for production costs low enough to enable bro

deployment.

• Are deployed in the customer’s lab / 

factory floor / device / system. 

• Easily used and integrated.

• Small size and weight, low power 

consumption, rugged.
NIST on a Chip Measurement Technologi

• Force• Fluid flow• Pressure• Length• Voltage• Current• Magnetic field• Time and frequency• Optical power• Displacement• Electric field• More...
How Realistic is NIST on a Chip?

Substantial proof-of-principle measurement science and initial demonstrations already exist:

• Provide a broad range of measurements and standards rele

particular customer needs / applications.

• One, few, or many measurements from a single small fo

• Are manufacturable.

• Potential for production costs low enough to enable bro

deployment.

• Are deployed in the customer’s lab / 

factory floor / device / system. 

• Easily used and integrated.

• Small size and weight, low power 

consumption, rugged.
Manufacturability

NIST Chip-scale atomic clock

Commercial chip-scale ato

Commercial CSAC built party commercial applic
How Realistic is NIST on a Chip?

Substantial proof-of-principle measurement science and initial demonstrations already exist:

• Remote deployment.• Small size, low power, rugged.• Broad range of measurements.• Manufacturability.• Demonstration of all these capabilities, 

but mostly in early stages with limited integration.

Substantially more work needed for:• Fundamental measurement science.• Integration of multiple measurement technologies.• Manufacturability.

Likelihood of continuing success is high, with sufficient resourcplanning, coordination, and external partnering.
“Lab on a Chip”

Long-term NIST on a Chip: Physical, chemical, biological...
NIST on a Chip: Why NIST?

• NIST is the nation’s measurements and standards laboratory, 

to provide measurements and standards enabling innovation, productivity, research, trade, etc.

• World-leading NIST capabilities in measurement science.• Unique NIST capabilities in micro/nanofabrication for precisio

measurement technology.

• NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology.• New Boulder Fabrication Facility and Precision Imaging F

• Expanding NIST roles in manufacturing.• Success in convening broad external partnerships: Industry, 

academia, Federal government, international community.
NIST on a Chip: Why NIST?
NIST on a Chip: Why NIST?
NIST on a Chip: Why NIST?
NIST on a Chip: Why NIST?
NIST on a Chip: Why NIST?

“The technical merit and sciof the work in the Nanomanarea are impressive. Much oamong the best in the worldthe unique skills and contribNIST.” “For example, one panel methe ‘rice-sized’ atomic clock NIST the most significant exnanomanufacturing that he hnoting that this is paradigm-which the automotive industtoday if the clock can be macost-effectively.”
NIST on a Chip: Measurement Science Research 

Only a small sample of current and developing NIST on a Cactivities. 
Time and Frequency; Voltage

NIST chip-scale atomic clockmagnetometers.Atomically precise measuremAA battery power (~0.01 W).

NIST Josephson quantum voltage standard.Intrinsic (quantum-based) standard.~300,000 junctions.
Time and Frequency; Voltage

NIST chip-scale atomic clockmagnetometers.Atomically precise measuremAA battery power (~0.01 W).

NIST Josephson quantum voltage standard.Intrinsic (quantum-based) standard.~300,000 junctions.

Further Discussion 

and Lab Tour
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Magnetometry

S. Knappe, et al., APL 97, 133703, 2007

Based on NIST chipscale atomic clock technology.SQUID-level performance.

Magnetocwith CSAM 

SQUID
NIST Chip-Scale Fluid Metrology

Micron-sized particle manipulation using Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) device

Integrate micrmicroelectronielectronic-basmeasurement properties.• Electromagn

(permittivity, conductivity)

• Thermal (con

heat capacity

• Mechanical (

density, shea
NIST Chip-Scale Force/Acceleration Metro

Coupling of mechanicdisplacement with optsignals for interferomequality measurements and displacement.
NIST Chip-Scale Nanophotonics for Force and Dis

• Cavity optomechanical systems for sensitive force and displa

metrology.

• Interface micro/nanophotonic systems with macroscopic fibe

space optics.
NIST Chip-Scale Force/Acceleration Metro
NIST Chip-Scale Temperature Metrology

Silicon optomechanics / thermo-optics.Temperature from thermal (Brownian) mMeasurements in 0.001 K to 1,000 K ra

Photonic temperature sensor provides standard 

platinum resistance thermometer-level accuracy 

(1 mK) in package 1,000 times smaller.
NIST Chip-Scale Laser Frequency Comb

2005 Nobel Prize in Physics

for NIST’s Jan Hall
NIST Chip-Scale Laser Frequency Comb

Wedge resonators 

(CalTech partnership)

NIST microcom

Laser frequency key tool for chip-precision metrolofor coupling chipmeasurements tworld.”
NIST on a Chip: Measurement Science Research 

Only a small sample of current NIST technologies and ideashown today.Many more examples available...
NIST on a Chip: Potential Integration of Measu

One example: 
NIST on a Chip: Potential Integration of Measu

Time and frequency.Magnetic field.• Precision measurement of atomic 

transition in chip-scale atomic clock or laser-cooled atom chip.

Length.• Laser frequency comb stabiliz

transitions in molecules in mic
NIST on a Chip: Potential Integration of Measu

Electric current.• Precision measurem

atomic frequencies magnetic field geneelectric current.

Temperature.• Precision measurement 

of atom/molecule transition width.
NIST on a Chip: Potential Integration of Measu
NIST on a Chip: Potential Integration of Measu

Another example: 
NIST on a Chip: Enables New Measurement S

• On-chip optical trapping for precision 

measurement of fundamental physica(e, h, 

, , etc.).

• Opto-mechanical resonators for 

fundamental physics research, quantum computing, quantum simulation, yoctoNewton force metrology, etc.

Unique 

measurements and 

technologies 

resulting from 

microscale

interactions.

P

fo
NIST on a Chip

• Initial applications likely to be NIS

Chips performing a single measuor a few closely related measure

• Longer-term deployment: Mix of single/few measurement NIS

with multifunction NIST Chips.

• Initial adoption likely to be high-value applications where fun

form factor, low power more important than cost.

• Broader adoption and deployment with manufacturability imp
NIST on a Chip: Impacts on NIST Measurement 

• Traditional measurement service model 

unlikely to disappear completely, especially for the most accurate and demanding calibrations and measurements.

• Many traditional measurement services can be 

eventually replaced by NIST on a Chip.

• NIST resources freed from traditional measurements service

redirected, such as to NIST on a Chip research programs, anNIST programs.

• NIST on a Chip has the potential to more tightly couple NIST 

external partners (industry, academia, government) in developrovision of measurement services.
NIST on a Chip Program

Vertically integrated program:

Some preliminary ideas.

NIST senior management decisions and VCAT guidance 

Deployment of NIST on a Chip technologies to customers/users in broad and evolving range of applications.

Development, integration, manufacturability of new deployable NIST on a Chip technologies to address and anticipate customer needs.

Fundamental measurement science research to develnew measurement technologies and new deployable NISon a Chip systems. .
NIST on a Chip Program

• Program spans all NIST Laboratories.• CNST and Boulder Fabrication/Precision Imaging capabilities 

program success.

• Strengthen and expand existing external partnerships.

• Industry, academia, Federal laboratories.• For NIST on a Chip measurement science research.• For manufacturability considerations.• As potential manufacturers and marketers of NIST on a C

products.

• Formal and informal tech transfer.

• To better understand and respond to customer/user need

• Possible future Center of Excellence?• Management model.
NIST on a Chip Program

• Foundations of NIST on a Chip already in place and rapidly e

• Remote measurement services.• Intrinsic (quantum-based) standards in small form factor.• Integration.• Manufacturability.

• NIST-wide program with coordinated external partnerships wi

strengthen and accelerate all areas.

• Integration, manufacturability areas of particular need.
NIST on a Chip Program

• Next steps:

• Internal NIST workshop, share and inventory NIST on a C

technologies, proposals, brainstorm new approaches, etc

• November 1-2 in Boulder.• Preliminary recommendations to NIST senior manage

NIST on a Chip program.

• Public NIST on a Chip workshop.

• Invite industry, academia, Federal agencies, other na

metrology institutes.

• Better clarify customer needs and opportunities, partn

opportunities, etc.

• More complete recommendations to NIST senior ma

on NIST on a Chip program coordinated with externa
NIST on a Chip Program

Next steps:• Begin formal coordinated NIST on a Chip program.

• Near-term and long-term strategic plans.• Resources.• Leadership for cross-cutting program.• Formalize external partnerships.

• Some business model issues to consider:

• NIST on a Chip as NIST product, or commercial product, 

combination.

• External partnership and tech transfer models.• Challenges of industry/academia/government partnership

and profitable products are likely.
NIST on a Chip Program

• O’Brian opinions only, not necessarily NIST positions.

• Important to keep appropriate balance of:

• Fundamental measurement science research.• Directed NIST on a Chip development.• Deployed NIST on a Chip technologies.

• Crucial to ensure “bottom up” ideas are carefully consider• Vision, plans, initial execution for NIST chip-scale atomic 

program and NIST on a Chip were “bottom up.”
NIST on a Chip Program

VCAT advice and guidance needed:• Does this approach make sense to you?• What suggestions do you have for changes in these broad pla• What applications can you see in your industry/areas of expe

other industries/technical areas?

• What are the best ways to engage industry and other externa

in planning for the most effective NIST on a Chip measureme

• Includes potential for a broader NIST-sponsored worksho

engaging external partners, following up on the internal NNovember 1-2 workshop.
NIST on a Chip Program

VCAT advice and guidance needed:• What are the best ways to engage industry and other externa

in joint research and development with NIST on NIST on a Chtechnologies?

• What suggestions do you have for building support for a NIST 

program among industry, Congress, other stakeholders?

• What suggestions do you have for better articulating and exp

NIST on a Chip vision to various stakeholders?

• What sorts of business models make sense for NIST, potentia

Chip manufacturers, and customers/users?

• Any other input?