One major change of the future revision of the International System of Units is a new definition of the ampere based on the elementary charge e. Replacing the former definition based on Ampère's force law will allow one to fully benefit from quantum physics to realize the ampere. However, a quantum realization of the ampere from e, accurate to within 10 −8 in relative value and fulfilling traceability needs, is still missing despite the many efforts made for the development of single-electron tunneling devices. Starting again with Ohm's law, applied here in a quantum circuit combining the quantum Hall resistance and Josephson voltage standards with a superconducting cryogenic amplifier, we report on a practical and universal programmable quantum current generator. We demonstrate that currents generated in the milliampere range are accurately quantized in terms of ef J (f J is the Josephson frequency) with measurement uncertainty of 10 −8 . This new quantum current source, which is able to deliver such accurate currents down to the microampere range, can greatly improve the current measurement traceability, as demonstrated with the calibrations of digital ammeters. In addition, it opens the way to further developments in metrology and in fundamental physics, such as a quantum multimeter or new accurate comparisons to single-electron pumps.

Electron pumps capable of delivering a current higher than 100 pA with sufficient accuracy are likely to become the direct mise en pratique of the possible new quantum definition of the ampere. We present here single-island hybrid metal-semiconductor transistor pumps that combine the simplicity and efficiency of Coulomb blockade in metals with the unsurpassed performances of silicon switches. Robust and simple pumping at 650 MHz and 0.5 K is demonstrated. The pumped current obtained over a voltage-bias range of 1.4 mV corresponds to a relative deviation of 5 Â 10 À4 from the calculated value, well within the 1:5 Â 10 À3 uncertainty of the measurement setup. Multicharge pumping can be performed. The simple design that is fully integrated into an industrial microelectronics process makes it an ideal candidate for national measurement institutes to realize and share a future quantum ampere.

An interlaboratory comparison of small-current generation and measurement capability is presented with the ultrastable low-noise current amplifier (ULCA) acting as travelling standard. Various measurements at direct currents between 0.16 nA and 13 nA were performed to verify the degree of agreement between the three national metrology institutes involved in the study. Consistency well within one part per million (ppm) was found. Due to harsh environmental conditions during shipment, the ULCA's transfer accuracy had been limited to about ±0.4 ppm. Supplemental measurements performed at PTB indicate that further improvements in accuracy are possible. Relative uncertainties of 0.1 ppm are achieved by applying on-site calibration of the ULCA with a suitable cryogenic current comparator.

A Josephson voltage standard (JVS) from the BIPM, incorporating a PTB 10 V programmable array, has been compared with a JVS from the LNE, operating with a conventional hysteretic array. The metrological characteristics of both JVSs were carefully studied. We report on the experiments performed for this comparison and on the uncertainty components. The final comparison result is (U PJVS − U JVS )/ U JVS = −3.2 × 10 −11 with a relative total combined standard uncertainty of 6.1 × 10 −11 (k = 1).

By fixing two fundamental constants from quantum mechanics, the Planck constant h and the elementary charge e, the revised Système International (SI) of units endorses explicitly quantum mechanics. This evolution also highlights the importance of this theory which underpins the most accurate realization of the units. From 20 May 2019, the new definitions of the kilogram and of the ampere, based on fixed values of h and e respectively, will particularly impact the electrical metrology. The Josephson effect (JE) and the quantum Hall effect (QHE), used to maintain voltage and resistance standards with unprecedented reproducibility since 1990, will henceforth provide realizations of the volt and the ohm without the uncertainties inherited from the older electromechanical definitions. More broadly, the revised SI will sustain the exploitation of quantum effects to realize electrical units, to the benefit of end-users. Here, we review the state-of-the-art of these standards and discuss further applications and perspectives.