Mode-Locked Laser

The Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify commercially available mode-locked laser systems that meet stringent technical requirements for use in nonlinear integrated photonics research focused on quantum sensing and timekeeping. The system must deliver a center wavelength between 1550 nm and 1560 nm with a spectral bandwidth greater than 10 nm, defined by a hyperbolic secant squared envelope and free of competing modes or sidebands. The laser must operate at a repetition rate of precisely 400 MHz with stability to within one part in 10^9, produce an average output power exceeding 40 mW across the spectrum, and maintain a power per comb tooth greater than 10 microWatts within the 3 dB bandwidth—all without external amplification. The optical linewidth must be 10 kHz or narrower when measured between 1 Hz and 10 MHz offsets, and the system must exhibit shot-noise-limited phase noise and relative intensity noise above 1 MHz. Timing jitter must not exceed 20 fs, and the laser must include both fast and slow actuators for stabilization capable of tuning the repetition rate with specified bandwidths and power stability tolerances. The system must be hermetically sealed, require no user alignment, fit within dimensions of 300 mm by 300 mm by 75 mm, output via an optical fiber with an FC/APC connector, and feature an integrated photodiode delivering an electrical clock signal through an SMA or BNC output. A baseplate or mounting fixture for direct optical table mounting without posts is required. All submitted equipment must be new, commercially available, and off-the-shelf; no experimental, prototype, custom, used, remanufactured, or gray market components are acceptable. The system must be shipped in original manufacturer packaging with all accompanying documentation and software. Respondents must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM) and provide their Unique Entity ID (UEI), full company details, and indicate whether they are a small business or other than small business under NAICS code 334516. If not the manufacturer, respondents must confirm their status as an authorized reseller and disclose the country of manufacture. Responses must include published pricing, availability on any existing federal contracts, warranty terms (minimum 12 months, with options up to three years), FOB shipping terms, and information on installation, training, and maintenance services.