Specifications.pdf

Specifications Ultrafast Ti:Sapphire laser

Background The Quantum Sensors Group at the NIST Boulder Laboratories seeks an ultrashort pulse (i.e. ultrafast) Ti:Sapphire laser. The Ti:Sapphire laser will be used to seed existing regenerative and cryogenic laser amplification stages located at the NIST Boulder laboratories to produce 20 mJ, ~40 fs duration pulses of 800 nm light with a 1 kHz repetition rate. These short, intense pulses are focused onto a target (presently liquid water) to produce broadband ultrafast x-ray pulses for optical-pump, x-ray probe experiments.

These experiments allow the dynamic behavior of electrons and atoms to be observed during light-activated chemical activity. These experiments provide insight into physical processes important for solar cells and solar energy harvesting.

Objectives The Government seeks to purchase an ultrashort pulse (i.e. ultrafast) Ti:Sapphire laser. The wavelength, pulse duration, and bandwidth of the laser output must be compatible with existing regenerative and cryogenic laser amplification stages located at the NIST Boulder laboratories. Further, the Ti:Sapphire laser must include features to improve its stability and reliability for long-duration operation. The Ti:Sapphire laser must also include features to reduce maintenance by the operator. Through the purchase of a new Ti:Sapphire laser, the Quantum Sensors Group seeks to improve the reliability of the x-ray generating system used in the experiments described in the Background section above. These complex experiments require simultaneous, long-duration operation of the laser system, an advanced x-ray spectrometer, and complex sample delivery hardware. Presently, the reliability of the laser system affects NIST’s ability to perform time-resolved x-ray spectroscopies.

Scope The Government expects to take delivery of a laser that fulfills the specifications listed below. The Government expects the vendor to successfully install and test the laser at the NIST Boulder Labs prior to the Government’s acceptance of the unit. Upon delivery of the unit, the Government expects to receive documentation for the laser necessary to operate the unit and perform basic maintenance.

Tasks

(1) Manufacture of a pulsed Ti:Sapphire laser with the following specifications and containing the following components:

a. Pulsed Ti:Sapphire laser with output wavelength centered between 780 and 820 nm

b. Bandwidth > 65 nm

c. Pulse width compressible to < 30 fs

d. RMS noise < 0.1%

e. Output power > 325 mW

f. Integrated pump laser

g. An active servo system to maintain pointing of the pump laser

h. Environmentally isolated Ti:Sapphire crystal

i. Monolithic construction to maximize thermal and mechanical stability

Specifications: ultrafast Ti:Sapphire laser

j. Must integrate seamlessly with regenerative and cryogenic laser amplifiers from Coherent, Inc. already installed at the NIST Boulder laboratories. Integration to include physical compatibility (mounting on the same optical table) and performance compatibility (power, beam size, wavelength, pulse duration).

(2) Delivery of all equipment in (1) to the NIST Boulder Laboratories.

(3) Acceptance Testing: the vendor will install and then verify the performance of the laser at the NIST Boulder Laboratories. This verification is to include measurement of the output power, the power stability, and pulse duration. Verification to include integration with downstream laser amplifiers.

(4) Training: the vendor will provide up to 6 hours of training for each of 2 NIST staff on the use and maintenance of the requested Ti:Sapphire laser.

(5) Warranty for up to 1 year of operation

Delivery

• Hardware delivered to the NIST Boulder Laboratories 20 weeks or less ARO

• Installation of hardware at the NIST Boulder Laboratories 4 weeks or less after delivery

Government-Furnished Property, Material, Equipment, or Information (GFP, GFM, GFE, or GFI)

• NIST will provide the downstream regenerative and cryogenic laser amplifiers which are to be seeded by the requested Ti:Sapphire laser.

• NIST will provide the Mantis Ti:Sapphire laser and the associated pump laser originally supplied with the regenerative and cryogenic laser amplifiers for a trade-in credit.