Attachment 1 Purchase Description.pdf

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

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

Femtosecond Laser System

1. Statement of Need and Purpose:

This laser is required for imaging experiments involving two-photon excitation of genetically encoded red calcium indicators. The existing Ti:S laser does not reach the long wavelengths (~1050 nm) required for these experiments. These experiments will study responses in retinal neurons to visual stimulation.

2. Background Information and Objective:

The NINDS Synaptic Physiology Section conducts experiments retinal neuron responses and visual stimulation. The existing Ti:S laser does not reach the long wavelengths (~1050 nm) required for experiments.

3. Generic Name of Product:

Femtosecond laser system

4. Purchase Description:

The four relevant features of the required laser are wavelength (i.e., the color of the light), the average power, the pulse width, and the power control. A narrow pulse width (width = temporal dispersion of the pulses) is critical because it affords the greatest 2-photon excitation with the least amount of average laser power. This relationship goes by the square of the pulse width, i.e., a beam with 100 fs width works 4 times better than a beam with 200 fs width. Our experience suggests that it is optimal to have a beam with a pulse width < 150 fs.

5. Salient characteristics

The contractor shall provide equipment brand name or equal to the Coherent Axon 1064-1 TPC. Below is a list of specifications for the laser system.

• Dispersion precompensation

• Fast power

• Modulation for imaging applications

• Air-cooled

• Low maintenance, allows mounting in a variety of orientations.

• >800 mW output power at 1064 nm

• < 150 fs Pulse duration

• Repetition Rate 80 ±1 MHz

• Beam Mode M2 < 1.3

• Beam Asymmetry3,4 0.8-1.2

• Beam Diameter 4 (mm) 1.2 ±0.2

• Astigmatism (%) <25

• Power Stability5 (%) ±0.5

• Noise6 (%) <0.25

• Polarization >100:1 Vertical

• Dispersion Precompensation7 (fs2) 0 to -13,000

• Modulation Rise/Fall Time8 (ns) <1000

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

• Contrast Ratio9 >1000:1

• System warranty 12 months, 5000 hours.

6. Quantity: 1 System

7. Delivery Date: Estimated Ship Date is about 8 Weeks ARO.

8. Period of Performance: N/A

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION