Temperature propagation through a mercury vapour calibration source and assessment of possible analytical biases caused by measurement of temperature variations

A combination of experimental data, and validated modelling studies, has shown that external temperature variations propagate very quickly within mercury vapour calibration apparatus, and thus any internal temperature inhomogeneities may be largely neglected. However the study has shown that the response time of the temperature measuring device used to make readings within the mercury vapour calibration apparatus can impose a bias as a result of the device’s inability to respond quickly to changes in temperature within the mercury vapour calibration apparatus. The size of this possible bias has been quantified and strategies for its elimination proffered.