Fundamental constants, quantum metrology and electrodynamics

Tomilin K.A.

IHST RAS, Moscow, Russia;

E-mail: Tomilin ktomilin@mail.ru

The paper analyzes the relationship between the fundamental constants and systems of units. It is shown that the fundamental dimensional constants as natural units of physical quantities predetermine our choice of the system based on five fundamental units. The paper also reviews the history of systems of natural units based on fundamental constants, proposed by J.C.Maxwell, G.Stoney, M.Planck, D.Hartree, U.Stille et al. The evolution of metrology is directed to the transition from artificial measures to quantum metrology and leads to unification of systems of units in electrodynamics and physics in whole. The modern reform of metrology requires of modification of SI and CGS system by the way of allocation of fine-structure constant in the general laws of electrodynamics in explicit form. It is shown the necessity for the introduction of such physical quantity as "concentration of the potential", introduced earlier by Maxwell in electrostatics.

Keywords: fundamental physical constants, natural units, electrodynamics, fine-structure constant, speed of light, Planck constant, elementary charge.

DOI: 10.18698/2309-7604-2015-1-511-522

Article file: Tomilin.pdf