An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Physics Laboratory: Fiscal Year 2010

The mission of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Physics Laboratory is to support U.S. industry, government, and the scientific community by providing measurement services and research for electronic, optical, and radiation technology. In this respect, the laboratory provides the foundation for the metrology of optical and ionizing radiations, time and frequency, and fundamental quantum processes, historically major areas of standards and technology. The Panel on Physics visited the six divisions of the laboratory and reviewed a selected sample of their programs and projects. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 The Charge to the Panel and the Assessment Process 2 Atomic Physics Division 3 Electron and Optical Physics Division 4 Ionizing Radiation Division 5 Optical Technology Division 6 Quantum Physics Division 7 Time and Frequency Division 8 Overall Conclusions