NIST data underpins new reference work

A group of 17 scientists at Kobe University, Japan, have published an extensive set of data entitled Doppler-Free High Resolution Spectral Atlas of Iodine Molecule, 15000 to 19000 cm^sup -1^. The set consists of four volumes, each having more than 1000 pages. The spectral plots and numerical data in these volumes are to be used as a source of precision reference wavelengths for researchers working with very-narrow-band tunable lasers in the green and red regions of the spectrum. The work was carried out under the auspices of the Japanese Research Promotion Committee of Photoscience.

Calibration of the absolute wavelength scale for this work was based on precision measurements of wavelengths for the iodine molecule by a NIST scientist published in the Journal of the Optical Society of America in 1997. In recognition of this contribution, the project leader at Kobe University has presented NIST with a set of these volumes together with a laudatory letter about the value the NIST measurements to their large project.

CONTACT: Craig Sansonetti, [phone]; craig. [email protected].