Temperature is at the core of nearly all science observations.  Thermocouples, resistance thermometers, liquid-inglass thermometers, infrared noncontact thermometers, and many other thermometer designs can achieve high temperature precision but require ongoing periodic calibration to ensure accuracy.   For applications in autonomous or hazardous environments where calibration is infeasible, intrinsic thermometer accuracy is crucial.   

Our Compact Blackbody Radiation Atomic Sensor (CoBRAS) is based on measuring fluorescence ratios of optically excited atoms in vapor cells. The key advantage of the CoBRAS is that long-term stability of the fluorescence ratios is guaranteed by the immutable physical properties (transition strengths) of the atom.   Previous results from our group have demonstrated 400 ppm temperature precision over the temperature range 308 K-344 K [1]. This research project will explore techniques to improve the accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and temperature range of CoBRAS thermometers.  A key goal is to compare a CoBRAS to a temperature transfer standard and demonstrate the ability to self-calibrate the sensor by sequentially exciting to different atomic states.  Complementary to these approaches, the project aims to engineer a CoBRAS in a deployable package which can serve as a drop-in replacement for conventional thermometer architectures.  

[1]  D. S. La Mantia et al, Phys. Rev. Applied 23, 044037 (2025) https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.23.044037

Thermometry; Radiometry; Blackbody radiation; Thermal radiation; Quantum Metrology

citizenship

Open to U.S. citizens

level

Open to Postdoctoral applicants