A-2_NIST_Requirements.docx

NIST Requirements Document Ti:sapphire Laser System

I. Background The Optical Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials Project, within the Nanoelectronics Group in the Physical Measurement Laboratory develops novel spectroscopic measurement techniques to probe key physicochemical properties of advanced quantum materials (i.e., 2D…) that will enable future technologies to move past conventional digital computing. Determining the fundamental processes of carriers, excitons, and related charge migration and phase change phenomenon are key aspects of our work. Additionally, we study alternative-state variables or information carriers, such as spin, phase, valley, etc., which will provide the foundation for lower-power electronics, optical switching, non-volatile memory, neuromorphic computing, and other technologies that are not possible with present material systems. Visible, infrared, and terahertz measurement systems, both in the linear and non-linear regime, enable detection of scattering, absorption, emission, and magnetism in these materials.

II. Scope The Nanoelectronics Group requires the purchase of a tunable, single-frequency Ti:sapphire laser system capable of high power output (greater than 1 W) of wavelengths in two regions of the spectrum; from 700 nm to 1000 nm AND from 350 nm to 500 nm, as well as a single frequency pick-off at 532 nm. This complex laser system will be used for resonant Raman spectroscopic studies of novel quantum nanomaterials at varying temperatures and magnetic/electric fields. Wavelength tunability, stability and narrow bandwidth of this laser are crucial because Raman scattered photons are only different from the laser excitation by ~0.13 nm. High power is required because the output must be sent through multiple optical systems to deliver the light to mapping stages and/or cryostats located meters away.

III. Minimum Requirements The system shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements identified below. All items must be new. Used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for award. Experimental, prototype, or custom items will not be considered. The use of “gray market” components not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable. All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable.

The Contractor shall provide the following one (1) tunable, single-frequency Ti:sapphire laser system that meet the following minimum specifications:

1. Laser system shall consist of a connected Ti:sapphire ring cavity laser, a diode-pumped, solid state (DPSS) pump laser, an additional cavity for near UV, and all necessary electronics, hardware and software for operation of the system, including all chillers necessary for cooling.

2. Laser head shall be constructed of stainless steel and hermetically sealed with purge ports.

a. Stainless steel critical requirement because the laser will be installed in a laboratory where varying levels of humidity will be present (20%-70%) and thus corrosion. Also, noticeable dust also accumulates in this laboratory. If the laser is not hermetically sealed, this level of humidity variation and possible dust contamination can cause unacceptable variations in laser performance.

3. Laser system shall be capable of producing output at any wavelength in the range 700 nm to 1000 nm AND the range of 350 nm to 500 nm.

4. Laser output power shall be at least 1 W at a wavelength of 532 nm. 1 W of power is required because of the distance and loss endured by the beam when directed into the cryostat and microscopic imaging platforms.

5. Laser system producing light from 700 nm to 1000 nm shall be fully automated and “hands-free”, requiring no mechanical or optical changes or adjustments by the user. Furthermore, connectivity through TCP/IP is a critical requirement, since the system will be incorporated into a large, complex Raman facility. This instrument may be operated by users who are not laser experts and do not have the necessary knowledge and skills to adjust the laser on a regular basis. Providing the level of training needed for all users is unrealistic given the short duration of a typical collaboration.

6. Laser component for access to 350 nm to 500 nm must use a single set of optics and have conversion efficiency of >35% for 1 W of pump power.

7. Laser output in all ranges shall be single-frequency and continuously tunable. Single frequency laser output is required to carry out high resolution Raman spectroscopy where we look for small changes between the incident and scattered photons. Continuous tunability is required to complete full Raman excitation profiles (REP) which is our main exciton characterization method.

8. Laser output shall have an absolute free running linewidth of 100 kHz or less, measured over 100 us. It is critical that the free running wavelength be less than 100 kHz, since we are monitoring energy differences as small as 0.13 nm. This linewidth must be measured relative to an external reference, and not relative to the internal reference cavity, because the internal cavity could itself have errors or instabilities that would make this measurement inaccurate.

9. Laser beam shall be TEM00 with a Gaussian quality factor M2 of at most 1.2. This is critical because the output of the laser will be coupled through multiple optics into a confocal spot. If the M2 is greater than 1.2, power losses or heterogeneity in the beam center become unacceptable.

10. Laser output shall have at most 0.1% rms intensity noise, measured over 12 hours, including any long term drift in output frequency or intensity. This is a critical requirement. Amplitude noise and drift in the laser output translates directly into fluctuations. If the variation is higher than 0.1%, an unacceptable level of fluctuations will be present in the spectra, leading to unacceptable performance in imaging and unacceptable uncertainties.

11. Laser must include analog inputs and software/hardware control to enable wavelength adjustment and locking.

IV. Delivery Delivery shall be FOB DESTINATION and shall occur within the vendor’s commercial timeframe.

FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery. The contractor shall deliver all Line Items to:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Drive, Building 220 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640 V. Inspection and Acceptance In addition to the inspection and acceptance terms articulated in 52.212-4, the Government reserves the right to perform such performance tests and evaluations as defined below to verify specified system performance. Such tests and evaluations, if performed, shall be conducted within the environment that the system is to be operated. The Contractor has the right to be present during the tests and evaluations, if performed, at the Contractor’s expense. The following tests shall be completed:

Tests of linewidth, rms noise, power and beam and spectral quality will be performed.

The Government will test, inspect, and accept the equipment onsite within seven (7) business days of the installation of the tunable, single-frequency Ti:sapphire laser system. A visual inspection of the tunable, single-frequency Ti:sapphire laser system. will be performed by the NIST TPOC to identify surface defects or any form of indication that the tunable, single-frequency Ti:sapphire laser system. was damaged during transport to NIST. The Government shall have sole discretion to require repair or replacement of damaged and/or nonconforming supplies at no cost to the Government. The Government at any time prior to acceptance shall reject the tunable, single-frequency Ti:sapphire laser system. due to defects and/or nonconformance.

VI. Installation The system shall be installed by the Contractor and meet contract specifications no later than seven (7) business days after delivery. Installation, at a minimum, shall include uncrating/unpackaging of all equipment, rigging, set-up and hook-up of the system, demonstration of all specifications, and removal of trash. Onsite installation and demonstration shall be done at NIST, Building 222, Room A156 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD.

VII. Training

The contractor shall conduct a two (2) day training session for up to five (5) users at NIST. The training shall provide a thorough demonstration of all system/solution functions, maintenance, data administration, and basic troubleshooting. The training may be completed at NIST immediately after installation/set-up and on-site measurements demonstrating that no damage or misalignment issues arose during transportation and installation, but shall be completed no later than thirty (30) days after installation.

VIII. Warranty The contractor shall warrant the entire system for a period of a minimum of one (1) year or 5000 hours, whichever comes first after receipt of the equipment and shall be in accordance with terms in FAR 52.212-4

IX. Payment Schedule The Contractor shall be paid, in accordance with Net 30-day payment terms, upon receipt and acceptance of a proper invoice, in accordance with the following schedule:

1. 100% after installation and acceptance by the TPOC of fully installed system.

2. The Government anticipates inspection will occur upon:

a. After the testing procedures set forth in this document have been completed