Attachment 1 - Cronus 3p Laser Source or equal Purchase Description.pdf

Version 11-30-2016-1 FAR Part 11—Describing Agency Needs

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

Title: Cronus-3p laser system or Equal

1. Statement of Need and Purpose:

The Section on Critical Brain Dynamics, NIMH (Senior investigator: Dietmar Plenz, Ph.D.) requires an amplified, low-repetition laser system that will be added to an existing

2-photon imaging system. This laser system is specifically used for holographic 2-photon stimulation. The fully combined 2-photon imaging/stimulation system will allow for simultaneous imaging from thousands of neurons in vivo while stimulating precisely selected individual nerve cells or groups of nerve cells with micrometer-precise spatial and millisecond precise temporal precision. With this purchase, the laboratory can collectively advance the research directives set forth by the Brain Initiative and increase our knowledge and understanding of normal brain function and disease pathology, ultimately benefiting the NIH and NIMH missions.

2. Background Information and Objective:

In order to study how the brain processes information, it is important to simultaneously observe the activity of thousands of neurons while being able to control the activity of individual nerve cells. This approach of simultaneously imaging neuronal activities while perturbing individual nerve cells is crucial to obtain detailed insights into brain functions.

Conversely, this approach is extremely promising to understand at the network level changes in brain processing during brain diseases. In vivo, cellular imaging methods, such as two-photon imaging, currently make it possible to record from thousands of neurons. However, until recently, no method was available to stimulate neurons precisely and selectively with cellular resolution. The Plenz is using new methods to holographically stimulate neurons with micrometer spatial precision and millisecond precise temporal precision using a holographic approach and two-photon optogenetics.

This approach requires an amplified, tune-able laser with a low repetition rate. This procurement action is to obtain a suitable laser system. With the ability to simultaneously image and stimulate neurons in vivo, the Plenz laboratory will advance our understanding of normal brain function as well as pathological brain functions during diseases, which benefits the NIH and NIMH missions.

3. Generic Name of Product:

Amplified, low-repetition tune-able laser system

Purchase Description: One (1) Amplified, low-repetition tune-able laser system.

Brand-name item: CRONUS-3P Laser Source

Manufacturer: Light Conversion-USA terryj3 Underline

Version 11-30-2016-1 FAR Part 11—Describing Agency Needs

4. Salient characteristics

• The high power of =>40 W and up to 2 MHz repetition rate of the pump laser is a superior tool delivering high energies at low repetition rates for holographic stimulation

• The pump laser should have pulse length short than <250 fs and laser beam stability of better than <0.5% rms.

• The second stage of the system is an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) which extends the performance of the pump laser.

• The OPA performance extension delivers a broad tuning range, 650 - 900 nm and 1200 nm to 2500 nm.

5. Quantity: 1

6. Delivery Date: ~ 6 months

7. Period of Performance:

The Plenz laboratory will use this laser ~8hr/day for experimental purposes beyond 60 months. Regular maintenance and upgrades will be made to meet scientific demands.

8. Option(s): N/A