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Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

Brief outline

The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) is the national metrology institute providing scientific and technical services. Historically founded in 1887 as Physikalisch-Technische Reichsanstalt on the joint initiative of Werner von Siemens and Hermann von Helmholtz, it is today under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The PTB employs about 1800 staff members on its sites at Braunschweig and Berlin. The PTB performs works in the areas of fundamentals of metrology, metrology for economy, metrology for society and international affairs.

Core skills

The PTB performs fundamental research and development work in the field of metrology as a basis for its tasks in the areas:

Realization, maintenance and dissemination of the legal units of the International System of Units (SI)
Determination of fundamental and natural constants
Safety engineering
Services for the area regulated by law
Measurement techniques for industry

Co-operation

As a result of its close co-operation with industry, universities and other research institutes, PTB is involved in the German and European research and development area and makes efficient use of these links for technology transfer. Together with its partners in the international projects PTB ensures the comparability and reliability of measurement everywhere in the world on a long-term basis.

Services

Performing most accurate measurements and calibrations with consultancy
Development of novel measuring techniques
Supporting companies by consultancy as well as accreditation, certification and testing procedures
Co-operation in national and international standardization bodies

Application areas

Radiometry and photometry
Solar cells metrology
Femtosecond measuring techniques
Optical techniques for frequency measurements
Quantitative and high-resolution microscopy
Measurement of surfaces and forms
Micro-optical measuring techniques
Characterization of optical materials
Laser measuring techniques
Laser radiation protection
Precision engineering
Optics in biomedicine
X-ray precision measurements

Training and further education

Graduation and doctoral theses
Internships
Professional training

Contact

Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Bundesallee 100
38116 Braunschweig

Dr. Fritz Riehle
Tel.: +49 531 / 592-4010

E-Mail: fritz.riehle@ptb.de
Web: www.ptb.de