Periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide mixer

The National Research Council of Canada is seeking a 2×1 periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide mixer to serve as an optical parametric amplifier in a new experimental setup for generating squeezed states of light, supporting advanced optical communication, sensing, and quantum photonic research. The device must combine a 780 nm pump wavelength and a 1550 nm signal wavelength within a nonlinear integrated waveguide to produce a 1560 nm output with minimum specifications including 4 mW output power when supplied with 2 W pump and 1 mW signal inputs, and achieve a squeezed light level of at least 3.5 dB using up to 1 W pump power under 10% detection loss. The module must be equipped with integrated thermistor, Peltier cooler (TEC), and TEC controller for precise thermal management, and utilize polarization-maintaining fiber inputs and output at 780 nm and 1550 nm respectively. Delivery is required by December 18, 2026, to the National Capital Region in Ottawa, Ontario. This procurement is conducted as an Advance Contract Award Notice, with the agency originally intending to award to HC Photonics, but open to any supplier who can demonstrate through a formal statement of capabilities that their product meets all mandatory technical criteria. The solicitation, identified by number 26-58083 and NAICS code 541715, was posted on June 26, 2026, and responses are due by 2:00 p.m. EST on July 12, 2026, to Marie Josée Lachance at the National Research Council of Canada’s Ottawa headquarters. Failure to meet any of the listed technical requirements disqualifies a supplier from being considered for award. No pricing details, packaging specifications, inspection criteria, or contract value are disclosed, and the award basis is strictly dependent on technical capability verification rather than competitive pricing.