RFI AA-2025-02.pdf

LBNL Request for Information No. AA-2025-02 Page 1

February 14, 2025

Subject: Request for Information (RFI) No. AA-2025-02 Response Due Date: February 25, 2025

Introduction The University of California, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience necessary to provide a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD).

Background The development of the Terra Hertz Scanning Tunneling Microscope (THz STM) is part of a strategic project QIS project at the level of the 5 NSRCS to build a critical and competitive infrastructure to perform state of the art research on next generation quantum materials for quantum information science. The THz STM is developed to address one of the fundamental questions in Quantum Materials of understanding quantum decoherence pathways on the length and time scales decoherence processes actually occur. De-Coherence processes and the lack of understanding them is currently one of the most limiting factors in developing QIS further. For this purpose, we require an ultra-sensitive detector to detect individual photons emitted from atomistic quantum emitters from a broad bandwidth range, specifically from the visible regime (550nm) to the near IR (2um). One aim of the THz STM project is to build an experiment where individual atomic quantum emitters are studied and developed for Quantum Sensing and quantum computing applications which requires the ability to detect photons emitted from individual atoms. Therefore, we need a Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) that are quantum-limit optical detectors that use superconductivity to detect single photons.

Scope LBNL is exploring quantum emitters from single atomistic sources. This will include a variety of materials and engineered defect systems that are expected to be spread across a large bandwidth. LBNL requires a broadband SNSPD system that can be used for rapid spectroscopy in combination with the STM.

Therefore, LBNL is conducting market research to identify potential sources with the capability to supply such SNSPD that can meet the following mandatory requirements:

● SNSPD system that covers a range of wavelengths from 550 nm to 2000 nm with no more than 4 detectors

● Detection efficiency of the individual detectors to be a minimum of 85% across the entire detection bandwidth

● Timing jitter of each of detectors less than 50 ps

● Each wavelength range requires 2 detectors to do cross-correlation measurements

LBNL Request for Information No. AA-2025-02 Page 2

● One detector per wavelength band must be a multi-pixel SNSPD for fast and user-friendly auto-correlation measurements.

● Two additional channels of photon number resolving SNSPDs, covering a bandwidth of 700 nm to 1700 nm

● SNSPD detectors must operate without latching.

● Continuous operation in a closed-cycle helium system with cryogenic temperatures of 3K with a minimum of 12 channels. This reliability is critical for uninterrupted research activities.

● High speed time-taggers to record single photon streams detected by the SPSPD channels.

● Data acquisition software control with user interface and software development kit.

Prospective Sources must also demonstrate their ability by providing at least three documented examples of similar work with customer contacts as reference.

NAICS Code and Size Standard The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this RFI is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing). The corresponding small business size standard for this is 1,000 employees.

Instructions Respondents who can demonstrate a proven record of providing SNSPD’s per the identified scope should email the LBNL Procurement Representative Arielle Anoop at AAnoop@lbl.gov with the requested information and any published product literature. Responses must be submitted by email no later than 3:00 PM PST on February 25, 2025.

Request for Information Only This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only. This is not a request for quote or proposal. It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the University. Responses in any form are not offers and no subcontract will be awarded as a result of this announcement. No inquiries regarding a bid package or solicitation will be answered, because there is no bid package or solicitation available. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary.

In order to protect the procurement integrity of any future procurement that may arise from this RFI, information regarding the technical point of contact will not be given and no appointments for presentations will be made.

No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement, and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this RFI or any follow-up information requests related to this RFI. Responding to this RFI does not provide any advantage or disadvantage to potential offerors if LBNL chooses to issue a formal solicitation at a later date.

mailto:AAnoop@lbl.gov

LBNL Request for Information No. AA-2025-02 Page 3

This Request for Information is governed by procurement policies and procedures established under the University's Prime Contract with the U.S. Government, represented by the Department of Energy ("DOE"), for management and operation of LBNL.

Proprietary Information Because information received in response to this RFI may be used to structure future programs and may be made available to the public, respondents must not include any information in their responses that might be considered business sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential. Responses must be submitted with the understanding that their contents may be publicly disclosed and, in the event of a public disclosure, LBNL will not notify respondents or provide any opportunity to revise or redact submitted information.

(End of RFI document)

NAICS Code and Size Standard