We have developed a new low-pressure sensor which is based on the measurement of (nitrogen) gas refractivity inside a Fabry–Perot cavity. We compare pressure determinations via this laser refractometer to that of well-established ultrasonic manometers throughout the range 100 Pa to 180 000 Pa. The refractometer demonstrates 10−6 ⋅ p reproducibility for p > 100 Pa, and this precision outperforms a manometer. We also claim the refractometer has an expanded uncertainty of U(pFP) = [(2.0 mPa)2 + (8.8 × 10−6 ⋅ p)2]1/2, as realized through the properties of nitrogen gas; we argue that a transfer of the pascal to p < 1 kPa using a laser refractometer is more accurate than the current primary realization.
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