Redefinition of the SI Base Units: Its Background and Principle

The International System of Units (acronym: SI) is founded on seven base units (meter, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole, and candela) corresponding to seven base quantities (length, mass, time, electric current, thermodynamic temperature, amount of substance, and luminous intensity). SI was formally established in 1960 by the 11th CGPM. It has been revised from time to time in response to requirements of users and advances in science and technology. However, the most significant revision is going to be done in November 2018 by the 26th CGPM. Four base units (kilogram, ampere, kelvin, and mole) will be given new definitions linking them to exactly defined values of Planck constant, elementary charge, Boltzmann constant, and Avogadro constant, respectively. In this paper, historical background for the revision of SI is described and scientific principle of redefinition is explained. The procedure used to redefine meter from the speed of light in a vacuum is used as an example. After this revision, uncertainties of many other fundamental constants will be eliminated or reduced. From May 20, 2019 (World Metrology Day), the revised SI will come to practice.