The Derivation and Development of the 1976 Provisional 0.5 K to 30 K Temperature Scale

Abstract

The background, derivation and estimated thermodynamic accuracy are given for a provisional temperature scale, the EPT-76, which is intended to alleviate inconsistencies which exist between the liquid helium vapour pressure scales and the IPTS-68 and which prevent a thermodynamically smooth interpolation. Brief discussions and references are given for the use of the magnetic and gas thermometers which are the recommended interpolation instruments for realizing this scale.