PPLN Waveguide Mixer Design and Fabrication

The contract requires the design, fabrication, and testing of a custom 2×1 periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide mixer intended for use as an optical parametric amplifier in quantum photonic systems. The device must operate with a 780 nm pump wavelength and a 1560 nm signal wavelength, delivering a minimum output power of 4 milliwatts and achieving at least 3.5 decibels of squeezed light performance, critical for quantum noise reduction applications. The waveguide structure must be precisely engineered to enable efficient nonlinear interactions and maintain stability under operational conditions, with all phases of development—from simulation and prototyping to rigorous optical testing—expected to meet exacting technical specifications. The work is issued as a subcontract under the National Research Council of Canada, part of the Government of Canada, and is focused on the National Capital Region for performance. The solicitation was posted on June 26, 2026, with responses due by July 12, 2026, and falls under NAICS code 334516, indicating classification within the manufacturing of optical instruments and lenses. While no set-aside provisions or point of contact details are specified, the urgency and precision required suggest a highly specialized technical effort, likely targeting vendors with prior experience in nonlinear optical materials, chip-scale photonics, and quantum light source development. All deliverables must be fully documented and validated to ensure readiness for integration into advanced quantum photonic platforms.