Dimensional Metrology Group

The Dimensional Metrology Group (DMG) provides unique high-accuracy length-based (dimensional) measurements and leads documentary standards efforts that allow advancements in scientific research and enable the next-generation of industrial manufacturing. DMG’s Dimensional Measurement Services Program provides among the lowest uncertainty dimensional measurements and calibrations in the world—length uncertainties on the order of 10s of nanometers. The Group performs thousands of calibrations each year, generating greater than15% of all NIST’s calibration revenue. Our customers include U.S. industry, academia, and government institutions including the U.S. military. On occasion, we work on special project with other NIST laboratories to provide our unique measurement expertise to high-value projects such as the Champlain Tower collapse investigation (Champlain Tower). For traceability to the SI meter for customer calibrations, we frequently use optical interferometer in ambient air (as opposed to vacuum).  Consequently, our SI Length and Traceability program engages in research efforts that improve our capabilities in refractive index and thermal expansion of materials measurements that limit the accuracy in realizing the SI meter for the most challenging dimensional calibrations we perform. DMG’s Advanced Dimensional Measurement Systems program addresses industries need for traceability of new measurement instruments and tools by leading documentary standards for high-value manufacturing such as the automobile, aerospace and shipbuilding industries. These documentary standards provide the technical knowledge and procedures to assess the performance of novel new measuring instruments. These standards provide consumers the information required to make informed investments in new measurement technologies—hundreds of millions of dollars in precision dimensional measuring instruments are tested, bought, sold and warrantied using documentary standards produced with DMG leadership. 

CALIBRATION SERVICES, Resources, AND DOCUMENTARY STANDARDS

COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES

The Dimensional Metrology Group welcomes opportunities to collaborate on joint research, technology, and standards development projects. The group provides multiple opportunities for students, scientists, industry, academia, and other R&D laboratories to collaborate. Specific opportunities depend on current areas of interest within the Group, but may include undergraduate research fellowship, postdoctoral fellowships, visiting scientist, and guest researchers as well as various cooperative research arrangements ranging from formal agreements, such as CRADA, Consortia, and interagency agreements, to informal collaborations. For more details, see Employment and Internship Opportunities and Collaboration Opportunities.