'A Solid State DC Reference System'

摘要

Whilst Josephson 10V arrays are pushing into uncertainties of parts in 10~(9) or even 10~(10), they continue to need costly and bulky cryogenics. Presently available metrology class zener references need permanent battery back-up support and fairly expensive 7V to 10V step-up and trim arrangements. Zener reference systems require connection to external special purpose scanners with external wiring arrangements, giving considerable inconvenience and possible inconsistency of set-up. Furthermore, battery-backed ovens around the zener are required to avoid hysterisis voltage steps common to all zeners and, as will be shown, the consequences of providing this support severely limit available performance, substantially increase costs and decrease reliability. The design work described in this paper exploits a new patented technique to "reset" any hysterisis step through a conditioning process. This in turn allows a re-think of the basic design of reference modules giving much improved stability and reliability with sufficient cost, size and power reduction to make viable a new compact system approach to DC volt maintenance.