Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) Module

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, with Picoquant Photonics North America Inc., 9 Trinity Drive West Springfield MA under the authority of FAR Part 13.106-1(b), for the procurement of a Time Correlated Single Photo Counting (TCSPC) Module. NIST is developing a machine learning driven autonomous metrology system to enable quantum-based temperature and pressure sensors networks. A TCSPC module is required for the system to allow the user to use TTL logic combined with a clock to correlate arriving photons with specific triggers. Sole source determination is based on market research results which revealed only PicoQuant Photonics North America, Inc provides a module that meets unique specifications of a power consumption of 25 W and a deadtime <100 ps. The power consumption specification is required as the goal is to demonstrate a deployable and usable NV sensor interrogator that can be used in the field by users of all abilities. The - useability portion of the goal refers to the need to reduce/eliminate specialized training. The expectation is that AI agent will take over measurements from the user and eliminate the need for specialized training. The - deployability portion of the goal comes down to minimization of C-SWAP metric (Cost, Size, Weight and Power). A higher power consumption imposes further constraints on-line power, air cooling and final packaging size with the end result that the C-SWAP metric can be reasonably expected to double which would raise significant barriers to adoption by potential stakeholders. The less than 100 ps deadtime is needed as a higher than 100 ps deadtime leads to a large increase in the uncertainty in the interpretation of time dependent data which precludes NIST from developing and testing mechanistic models of the systems. The 100 ps limit is there to make sure NIST doesn't lose out on the ability to see the earliest steps of the heat effects in biological media which will allow NIST to understand the impact of absorbed dose on cell death when creating personalized cancer treatments. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, with Picoquant Photonics North America Inc., 9 Trinity Drive West Springfield MA under the authority of FAR Part 13.106-1(b), for the procurement of a Time Correlated Single Photo Counting (TCSPC) Module. NIST is developing a machine learning driven autonomous metrology system to enable quantum-based temperature and pressure sensors networks. A TCSPC module is required for the system to allow the user to use TTL logic combined with a clock to correlate arriving photons with specific triggers. Sole source determination is based on market research results which revealed only PicoQuant Photonics North America, Inc provides a module that meets unique specifications of a power consumption of 25 W and a deadtime <100 ps. The power consumption specification is required as the goal is to demonstrate a deployable and usable NV sensor interrogator that can be used in the field by users of all abilities. The - useability portion of the goal refers to the need to reduce/eliminate specialized training. The expectation is that AI agent will take over measurements from the user and eliminate the need for specialized training. The - deployability portion of the goal comes down to minimization of C-SWAP metric (Cost, Size, Weight and Power). A higher power consumption imposes further constraints on-line power, air cooling and final packaging size with the end result that the C-SWAP metric can be reasonably expected to double which would raise significant barriers to adoption by potential stakeholders. The less than 100 ps deadtime is needed as a higher than 100 ps deadtime leads to a large increase in the uncertainty in the interpretation of time dependent data which precludes NIST from developing and testing mechanistic models of the systems. The 100 ps limit is there to make sure NIST doesn't lose out on the ability to see the earliest steps of the heat effects in biological media which will allow NIST to understand the impact of absorbed dose on cell death when creating personalized cancer treatments.