DRAFT_SPECIFICATIONS.pdf

DRAFT-SPECIFICATIONS

Cryogenic Positioners

BACKGROUND and PURPOSE:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Superconductive Electronics Group (687.06) requires four 3-axis cryogenic-compatible positioners to be used in a cryogenic probe station. NIST requires these positioners to move the microwave probes that will be used to electrically test and characterize our superconducting devices at cryogenic temperatures. The probes must be compatible with an existing cryogenic probe station purchased by division 686 from High Precision Devices (PO #SB134114SU1037).

DELIVERABLES:

The contractor must provide positioners capable of long-term reliable operation at temperatures ranging from 4 K to room temperature. Besides this, they must meet the specifications listed below.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

The 4 positioner systems will be used for high bandwidth electrical and optical measurements at temperatures between 4K and 300K. The positioners will be automated at NIST to measure many different devices on a sample, so they must be capable of long-term reliability involving hundreds of thousands of repetitive movements and be robust to thermal cycling. The system must be a high vacuum compatible. Also, we require the use of nonmagnetic materials given how sensitive our devices are to stray magnetic fields.

The system must be able to accommodate our existing NIST nanomanipulators, probes, and sample chucks.

The specific requirements are:

Operation from 4 K to 300 K.

High vacuum compatible No magnetic materials or coatings.

For x- and y-directions, 20 mm total range of motion and capable of 10 micrometer resolution at 4 K For z-direction, at least 10 mm of total range of motion and capable of 1 micrometer resolution at 4 K Diagnostics and support equipment: Electronic and software control units for all the positioners.

Documentation: Instruction manuals for using the equipment and software/drivers

VENDOR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

The specialized nature of this system requires that the proposer have at least 2 years of experience manufacturing cryogenic positioners for scientific and engineering R&D. In addition, proof that the positioners can operate at temperatures of 4 K must be submitted to NIST, upon request, prior to award of the contract.

DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE:

Delivery of the equipment to NIST, Boulder, shall consist of a total of four 3-axis cryogenic-compatible positioners (8 x-y positioners plus 4 z-positioners) and electronic controllers for all positioners.

Delivery to NIST: The vendor shall deliver the system no later than six (6) months after receipt of order.

Testing and Acceptance at NIST: Upon receipt of all deliverable items at NIST, the Technical Point-of-Contact (TPOC) will perform an acceptance test of the system. The following tests will be conducted at NIST:

The items must be visually inspected to ascertain that all components listed above are in place.

The positioners will be cooled down to 4K to insure specifications are met.

Successful test shall be the criteria for payment to the vendor. The acceptance testing will be completed within 21 business days after receipt.

Warranty: Repair or replace defects for a period of 1 year from date of delivery.