Towards a programmable quantum current generator

We report on the development of a programmable quantum current generator (PQCG) based on quantum voltage and resistance standards. First measurements with a digital amperemeter in the 100 μA range demonstrate the linearity of the generated current as a function of the theoretical current, linked to the electron charge, with a relative uncertainty of 2.7 × 10 −7 (k = 1). To overcome the detector limits and validate the PQCG as a practical realization of the ampere in the new SI, accurate quantization measurements with a target combined uncertainty of a few parts in 10 8 are in progress.