Doppler-Broadening Gas Thermometry at 1.39 μm: Towards a New Spectroscopic Determination of the Boltzmann Constant

The expression of the Doppler width of a spectral line, valid for a gaseous sample at thermodynamic equilibrium, represents a powerful tool to link the thermodynamic temperature to an optical frequency. This is the basis of a relatively new method of primary gas thermometry, known as Doppler broadening thermometry. Implemented at the Second University of Naples on H218O molecules at the temperature of the triple point of water, this method has recently allowed to determine the Boltzmann constant with a global uncertainty of 24 parts over 106. Even though this is the best result ever obtained by using an optical method, its uncertainty is still far from the requirement for the new definition of the unit kelvin. To this end, Doppler broadening thermometry should approach the accuracy of 1 part per million. In this paper, we will report on our recent efforts to further develop and optimize Doppler broadening thermometry at 1.39 μm, using acetylene as a molecular target. Main progresses and current limitations will be highlighted.