At the request of the Consultative Committee for Thermometry (CCT), Working Group 4 (WG4) has critically reviewed all available measurements of the differences between thermodynamic and ITS-90 temperatures, (T − T 90 ), and documented the conversion of older data to the ITS-90. Particular attention has been given to the uncertainties. Based on this review, we provide consensus estimates of T − T 90 for selected measurements from 0.65 K to 1358 K. We provide two analytic functions for T − T 90 , one for use from 8 K to the triple point of water (T TPW ) and one for use above T TPW . The small discontinuity of the derivative dT 90 /dT at T TPW is discussed.J. Fischer (B) · L. Wolber PTB,We also identify temperature ranges where researchers are encouraged to undertake high-accuracy measurements of T − T 90 .

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An International Intercomparison of Fixed Points by Means of Sealed Cells has been conducted under the auspices of the Comité Consultatif de Thermométrie (CCT) between 1978 and 1984. Forty-one sealed cells, realizing the triple point of seven different substances, defining both primary fixed points of the IPTS-68 and secondary fixed points in the temperature range from 14 K to 90 K, were supplied by nine laboratories. They were measured in eleven national laboratories around the world, against the fixed points realized in these laboratories (both in open cryostats or in other sealed cells). Some 150 independent series of data were produced, from almost 300 melting experiments, representing some 2,300 equilibrium temperature values. The basic sets of results are presented, concerning the agreement between different cell realizations and the comparison of national IPTS-68 realizations. Data connecting the results of this intercomparison with that performed at NPL in 1975 using calibrated thermometers are also given.

The International Temperature Scale of 1990, ITS-90, came into effect on 1 January 1990, replacing the International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968, IPTS-68, and the "Echelle Provisoire de Température de 1976 entre 0,5 K et 30 K", EPT-76. The present paper reviews the various experimental measurements of thermodynamic temperature T (often expressed as differences (T - T68)) in the range 0,65 K to 1 357,77 K, which were available prior to September 1989, and on the basis of which values of temperature were adopted in the ITS-90. Estimates are given for the uncertainties in the derivation of these values.

The triple point of water serves to define the kelvin, the unit of thermodynamic temperature, in the International System of Units (SI). Furthermore, it is the most important fixed point of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). Any uncertainty in the realization of the triple point of water contributes directly to the measurement uncertainty over the wide temperature range from 13.8033 K to 1234.93 K.The Consultative Committee for Thermometry (CCT) decided at its 21st meeting in 2001 to carry out a comparison of water triple point cells and charged the BIPM with its organization.Water triple point cells from 20 national metrology institutes were carried to the BIPM and were compared with highest accuracy with two reference cells. The small day-to-day changes of the reference cells were determined by a least-squares technique. Prior to the measurements at the BIPM, the transfer cells were compared with the corresponding national references and therefore also allow comparison of the national references of the water triple point.This report presents the results of this comparison and gives detailed information about the measurements made at the BIPM and in the participating laboratories. It was found that the transfer cells show a standard deviation of 50 µK; the difference between the extremes is 160 µK. The same spread is observed between the national references.The most important result of this work is that a correlation between the isotopic composition of the cell water and the triple point temperature was observed. To reduce the spread between different realizations, it is therefore proposed that the definition of the kelvin should refer to water of a specified isotopic composition.The CCT recommended to the International Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM) to clarify the definition of the kelvin in the SI brochure by explicitly referring to water with the isotopic composition of Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (VSMOW). The CIPM accepted this recommendation and the next edition of the SI brochure will include this specification.Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCT, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).