High Average Power KiloHertz Femtosecond Laser Upgrade

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) intends to negotiate a contract on the basis of Other Than Full and Open Competition IAW 10 USC 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source. NRL will negotiate with Coherent Inc., 5100 Patrick Henry Drive P56, Santa Clara, CA 95054-1112, for an upgrade to an existing Kilohertz Ti:sapphire Femtosecond Laser. The system must satisfy all of the following requirements: 1) 1 kiloHertz repetition rate, 2) >15 milli-Joules laser pulses at a wavelength of 800 nanometers for >45 milli-Joules of pump laser input, 3) pulse length < 40 femto-seconds, 4) beam quality with an M2 <= 1.35, 5) < 1% R.M.S. pulse-to-pulse energy stability, 6) long-term power stability <0.75% R.M.S., 7) Contrast ratio >1,000:1 without a pulse slicer for pre-pulse at > 1 nano-second before pulse peak, and 8) ASE contrast of >1,000,000:1at 30 pico-seconds; 9) on-site service must be available throughout expected operational lifetime of system; 10) minimum warranty period for amplifier stage including pump lasers = one year; 11) maximum delivered price = $370,000. In the upgraded system, the combination of these specifications can, to our knowledge, only be met by Coherent. The existing kTFL laser at NRL was built by Coherent, and proper integration of an upgrade to it dictates that the design, manufacture, and installation of this upgrade be done by the original manufacturer in part due to proprietary information. To our knowledge, Coherent is the only U.S. company that can manufacture a commercial kilohertz femtosecond laser to the specifications in section 3, and satisfy the above requirements. They have the exclusive and proprietary technologies and experience to design and manufacture this laser. Delivery will be required by 11 July 2011.