Attachment 1 SOW.pdf

NIST Requirements Document Widefield Quantum Diamond Microscope Laser

I. Background The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Nanoscale Device Characterization Division (NDCD) develops and advances the measurement and knowledge infrastructure to characterize nano- and atom-scale engineered materials and solid-state devices for innovation in information processing, sensing, and future quantum technologies.

The NDCD’s technical activities span atom-scale devices, nanoscale spectroscopy, nanoscale imaging, nanoscale processes and measurements, and alternative computing. To meet mission-critical requirements, the NDCD needs to procure a new high-performance 5 W 532 nm diode-pumped solid-state laser to act as a light source for a widefield quantum diamond microscope. This acquisition will ensure the Division continues to uninterruptedly have essential spectroscopic capabilities in the metrology of color centers to further their development as platforms for quantum sensing and communication.

II. Scope Spectroscopic measurements based on photoluminescence (PL) are essential to determine the properties and performance of color centers in wide-band gap semiconductors, which the NDCD is developing for use as quantum sensors. This process involves photonically exciting color centers to a higher energetic state with a laser, then measuring the energy and intensity of the subsequent emission as the system relaxes back to the ground state, including as a function of time. PL spectroscopy is the most popular technique for characterizing color centers because it can ascertain what color centers are present, the concentration of these color centers, their charge state and emissive properties, and the quantum behavior of the color center systems. Coupling PL with a microscope allows for mapping the spatial distribution of color centers within a given sample to determine their locations. While these PL micro-spectroscopy measurements are generally collected with standard far-field microscopy, this characterizes only a small portion of the sample and is not necessarily representative of the entire material. Employing widefield microscopy to characterize a large area provides a measurement of the most important parameters for color center materials, including their emission and decoherence behavior. It also allows for quantum sensing with a very large ensemble of color centers via optically detected magnetic resonance. For this reason, a widefield quantum microscope is an essential, invaluable tool for conducting research on the characterization and development of color centers.

To build a widefield quantum microscope, we must purchase a laser excitation light source for PL spectroscopy. The specific color center system of immediate interest is the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond, which requires excitation with green 532 nm light. Since it will be employed in widefield PL micro-spectroscopy experiments, the laser will require a substantial power output (5 W) to provide the necessary excitation fluence over an area of several mm2, which is only available in diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers. Power tunability is also necessary, for both alignment purposes and to account for the varying emissivity of the diamonds. It is also essential that the beam be high-quality with uniform geometry so that all areas of the sample are illuminated evenly. Because these measurements must be conducted repeatedly to obtain a statistically significant reading, it is also required that the beam be very stable and exhibit low noise. Finally, to allow for remote operation, it is essential that this laser can be operated with PC-based software. The acquisition of a new DNSS 5 W 532 nm excitation laser to use in a widefield quantum diamond microscope will be essential for the Spectroscopy of Solid State Quantum Sensors program to maintain its capabilities in the spectroscopic metrology of color centers, supporting its ongoing mission-critical efforts to develop color centers as a platform for quantum technologies.

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 one (1) laser for a widefield quantum diamond microscope laser that meets the following minimum specifications:

1. Must be a diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser.

2. Must lase continuously at a wavelength of 532 ± 3 nm.

3. Must have a spectral purity of greater than 99 %.

4. Must have a FWHM linewidth of less than 30 GHz.

5. Must produce an output power of 5 W or higher.

6. Must have output power that is continuously tunable from 50 mW to 5 W.

7. Must have a spatial mode of TEM00.

8. Must have a beam quality (M2) of less than 1.1.

9. Must have a beam divergence of less than 0.5 mrad.

10. Must have a beam circularity of 1.0 ± 0.1 or better.

11. Must have a linear polarization ratio of greater than 100:1.

12. Must have a power stability of ± 1 % or lower.

13. Must have a beam pointing stability of less than 5 µrad / °C.

14. Must have a beam position stability of less than 5 µm / °C.

15. Must have a noise of less than 0.1 % rms.

16. Must have a warm-up time of 10 minutes or less.

17. Must include a stand-alone chiller if liquid-based cooling is required.

18. Must have a means to shutter the emission of laser light.

19. Must include software to control the laser power and shutter with a standard PC.

IV. Delivery Delivery shall be FOB Destination (or equivalent terms, such as INCOTERMS Delivered Duties Paid) are required and shall occur not later than (NLT) 90 days ARO.

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.

PERFORMANCE TESTS: visual inspection, demonstration that the laser produces photons of the stated wavelength and power

The Government will test, inspect, and accept the equipment onsite within 30 business days of the receipt of the laser for a widefield quantum diamond microscope. A visual inspection of the laser will be performed by the NIST TPOC to identify surface defects or any form of indication that the laser 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 laser for a widefield quantum diamond microscope due to defects and/or nonconformance.

VI. Warranty The contractor shall warrant the entire system for a period of a minimum of one year after receipt of the equipment and shall be in accordance with terms in FAR 52.212-4

VII. 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