Development of a beam mechanism for the BIPM Kibble Balance

This paper reports the advances on the development of a new beam mechanism for the BIPM Kibble balance. The first prototype double-pan balance beam mechanism was characterized on a test set-up in air. Key features of the first prototype design were successfully checked. A revised beam based on a single-pan design has been fabricated and recently integrated in the setup. Control of the set-up and characterization of the mechanism behavior will start soon.