The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) is the national metrology institute of Germany with legal metrology responsibilities. It is both a scientific and technical federal authority and so falls under the jurisdiction of both the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) as well as the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The PTB promotes progress in measurement science both nationally and internationally. The main tasks of PTB are to develop, maintain and disseminate the national standards for units of measurements, time and frequency; to calibrate measuring instruments; to carry out research in metrology; to participate actively in international comparisons of standards; to support industry, trade, science, education and consumer protection by providing reliable measurements;and finally to take on responsibility for legal metrology in areas where this has been delegated by legislation.
The site of PTB Braunschweig was chosen as the location for German National Metrology Institute in 1953. This decision was made because at that time most metrological activities were concentrated around physics institutes which were usually located at universities. Furthermore, many industries were situated in Braunschweig’s vicinity making it an ideal location from an economic point of view as well. In 1957 PTB started its work with 70 employees. Nowadays about 1700 people are working at PTB – 900 at our headquarters in Braunschweig alone.
In addition to our main sites Braunschweig and Berlin we have nine other locations throughout Germany: Aachen, Dortmund, Dresden-Reick, Essen-Kettwig, Hamburg-Bergedorf, Munich-Garching, Stuttgart-Vaihingen/Möhringen und Wernigerode/Harz . These include not only administrative offices but also specialized laboratories such as those for acoustics or optical measurements or a large machine shop where we produce customized measuring equipment according to our clients’ specifications. We also have branches abroad located in Beijing (China), New Delhi (India), São Paulo (Brazil), Moscow (Russia), Seoul (Republic of Korea)and Washington D.C.(USA).
At our Berlin site you will find not only our Museum “Measuring Instruments – Tools for Understanding” but also numerous events such as public lectures on topical issues from science or society offered by researchers from PTB or other institutions