NIST Office of ECSED - 1995 Technical Highlights

Archive of Technical Activities

Office of Electronic Commerce in Scientific and Engineering Data

The Physics Laboratory Mosaic Server. The ECSED Office established for the Physics Laboratory a World Wide Web Mosaic server to provide information and data to U.S. industry and the general public over the internet. This server has been accessible to the public since June 20, 1994. By the end of the calendar year 1995, 6000 distinct computers (some with very many users) were making 25,000 requests each month for PL documents (compared to 15,000 total in the first six months). The rate of use continues to increase rapidly.
A wide range of information is provided on the PL WWW server. It ranges from staff and organization information to PL technical activities, publication lists, research facilities, physical reference data, and bibliographic information about physical reference data. New information is added regularly. We develop programs to provide this information and innovations to overcome the limitations of current Mosaic browsers.
For internet users who want to access the PL WWW server, the internet URL for the PL WWW server is http://physics.nist.gov/.

Atomic spectroscopic database developed for PL WWW server and for NASA's Astrophysics Data System. The Atomic Spectroscopic Database, by A. Musgrove, G.R. Dalton, W.C. Martin, E.B. Saloman (NIST), and C. Stern Grant and G. Eichhorn (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics), was developed in a collaboration between the Astrophysics Data System, Division 842, the NIST Standard Reference Data Program and the Office of ECSED. It includes most of the existing critically evaluated NIST data on atomic energy levels, transition probabilities, and wavelengths that are reasonably up-to-date. This interactive database has energy level data for over 500 spectra, transition probabilities for Sc through Ni, and wavelength data for spectra of several elements. It involves obtaining requested data from a repository computer and delivering it to the user through a WWW server on another computer system.

Database with sophisticated user interface developed for the WWW. The Office of ECSED has developed a WWW version of the database titled Wavenumber Calibration Tables From Heterodyne Frequency Measurements, by Arthur G. Maki and Joseph S. Wells. This is an atlas of molecular spectra and associated tables of wavenumbers for the calibration of infrared spectrometers. Molecule and spectral range can be selected by clicking within WWW browser programs such as Mosaic and Netscape Navigator. When the graphical presentation is generated for the user, he/she may then modify the display by changing the range displayed and clicking on a new center point. Other modifications of the display can also be made at the choice of the user. This and several other databases developed by the Office of ECSED for the WWW are available online from the PL WWW page.

Electronic Commerce in Scientific and Engineering Data. A draft of the report of the industry/government team was circulated to all participants. The revised report is available on the NIPDE (now the U.S. PRO) WWW server which may be reached from the Office of ECSED listing on the PL WWW server. We have prepared a draft of the ECSED Testbed - a WWW page encompassing the information from this report as well as links to activities supporting ECSED functions and future opportunities for demonstrating ECSED functions. Upon completion it will be made available on the WWW after appropriate reviews.