Design and performance of an advanced metrology building for MIKES

Abstract Fundamental metrology is closely linked to the development of science and needs good facilities to achieve low measurement uncertainty in demanding experiments. The laboratories must have good temperature stability, low vibration level, good electromagnetic shielding, clean room air, and humidity control. This paper outlines specification and design principles of a compact laboratory building that brings most of the activities of MIKES under one roof, thus attaining the performance of the most demanding laboratories. The most demanding specifications of temperature and vibration were set for the length and mass laboratories. The tightest room temperature specification was (20 ± 0.05) °C. The vibration level was specified at the tightest level to 1 μm/s at frequencies of 0.1–5 Hz. Electromagnetic shielding was specified at best to 100 dB for plane waves up to 20 GHz. Relative humidity was specified (48 ± 2)% at 20 °C. The specifications were clearly achieved and state of the art metrology laboratories implemented.