Towards a natural system of units for physics and metrology

Abstract

A few years ago it was proposed by Mills et al., 2005 to redefine the kilogram in terms of values of certain natural constants. It is expected that the consequences of this redefinition will include some disadvantages in mass measurements and advantages in the electric measurements and in some other areas. To achieve the best possible balance between gains and losses it is crucial to create such a version of the SI, in which electric measurements in SI units are possible with the highest accuracy. This can be only done with a simultaneous redefinition of the kilogram and ampere and we consider various details of such a scenario. Further consideration involves a suggestion on a redefinition of the kelvin and mole, which we also consider. Besides, we discuss various general issues of the natural units ranging from fundamental to practical. © EDP Sciences and Springer 2008.