Laser System and Wavelength Meter

Sources Sought: NB688000-18-00548 Status: Open Item: Laser Systems and Wavelength Meter Classification Code: 59- Electrical and electronic equipment components. Post Date: 01/03/2018 Close Date: 01/08/2018 File Name: NB688000-18-00548 / Laser Systems and Wavelength Metter Contact Points: Dennis Fuentes, Contracting Officer (303) 497.5573, dennis.fuentes@nist.gov The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) seeks information on vendors that are capable of providing a Laser Systems and Wavelength Meter as described in the draft specifications. The purpose of this notice is to identify organizations capable of providing the necessary item and meeting the minimum contractor qualifications. This announcement is not a Request for Proposals or Quotes (RFP/RFQ) and does not commit the Government to award a contract now or in the future. The information contained in this notice is DRAFT only and as such, is subject to change prior to issuance of a solicitation. No solicitation is available at this time. After results of this market research are obtained and analyzed, NIST may conduct a competitive or non-competitive procurement and subsequently award a contract. NIST will use the results of this sources sought notice to determine whether to proceed on a sole source basis or competitively if it is determined that other vendors could potentially meet NIST's needs. This requirement is assigned a NAICS code of 334516 with a small business size standard of 1000 employees. Interested business organizations that believe they are capable of meeting the requirement should submit electronic copies of their capability statement. Please limit responses to four (4) pages or less. Responses should include the following information: 1. Name of company that will provide product. 2. Name of company that will manufacture the product. 3. Spec sheets and examples of products that meet the specifications. 4. Typical lead time to deliver the product after receipt of order. 5. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in developing its minimum specifications and finalizing its market research. Any proprietary information should be so marked. The written capability statement should be received by the Contracting Officer no later than 11 a.m. MST Monday, November 20, 2017. The capability statement shall identify the business status of the organization. No quotes will be accepted at this time and will not be considered. DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK SPECIFICATIONS Two External-cavity diode laser systems and a Wavelength meter NB688000-18-00548 BACKGROUND: The Time and Frequency Metrology Group is part of the Time & Frequency Division of the Physical Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Our group performs optical phase and frequency measurements using stabilized lasers. Of interest is the generation of low phase noise microwave signals referenced to optical references via femtosecond frequency combs. The two External-cavity diode laser (ECDL) systems and Wavelength meter (WM) will be used to develop an optical reference based on two-photon transitions in Rubidium. PURPOSE: We plan to develop a Rubidium optical frequency reference based on two laser systems. The reference requires the lasers systems to operate at 780nm and 776nm, respectively, and deliver >100mW per system with <50kHz linewidth. To explore the wavelength parameter space, the laser systems need to be tunable within 40nm spectral range around a center wavelength of 785nm. The wavelengths will be calibrated with the Wavelength meter to - 0.2ppm or - 60MHz @ 780nm. DELIVERABLES: Two External-cavity diode laser systems and a Wavelength meter. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Two External-cavity diode laser systems: - center wavelength: 785nm - wavelength tunability range: 40nm (765-805nm) - power output after optical isolation stage: >100mW - short-term linewidth: <50kHz - polarization-maintaining fiber-coupler - frequency locking option (top of fringe) for both piezo and current channels Wavelength meter: - range: 500-1000nm - accuracy: - 0.2ppm or - 60MHz @ 780nm - input: fiber-coupled, CW input power <0.5mW - measurement speed >100Hz - solid-state (no moving parts) TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The Rubidium reference requires laser sources with very narrow linewidth (<50kHz). The two-laser concept requires wide wavelength tunability range (40nm). The two-photon optical reference also requires significant laser power (>100mW) due to the low transition probability. The only single-laser systems offering simultaneously narrow linewidth, wide wavelength tunability range and output power exceeding 100mW are External-cavity diode laser systems. The wavemeter should not have moving parts, as it is expected the system will be tested for robustness. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY OR INFORMATION: The laser systems and the Wavelength meter will interface an existing laser system from the Toptica, for which software control is developed. To assure software compatibility, it is essential that the Wavelength meter is from the same vendor. Resources developed at NIST for Toptica Photonics products (there are multiple groups using the same or similar Toptica Photonics products) will thus also be compatible. DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE: Delivery time should be between 6-12 weeks. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE: End user will inspect and test the merchandise upon delivery. The merchandise should perform according to specifications.