PD_5011429.pdf

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

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose: The purpose of this acquisition is to procure a high power ultrafast fiber laser to be integrated with existing microscope and used with custom software developed to control this laser.

2. Background Information and Objective: The UNCB studies the function of cortical network activity in vivo using single-cell optogenetic stimulation. A single stimulus or motor action changes the activity of many cells in the cerebral cortex, and it is thought that patterns of activity across many cells are the fundamental unit of cortical function.

However, we have been unable to understand how the brain uses activity patterns across multiple cells, principally because, as a field, we have been unable to change the activity of multiple individual cells in a patterned way. Two-photon optogenetic stimulation can provide such control, and thus has enormous promise to reveal how the brain works. Several groups worldwide, including our group, are working to deploy this approach in behaving animals. To do this, we develop custom optical microscopes which are able to both image and stimulate neurons using high-pulse power lasers.

Currently, the UNCB is greatly hindered in pursuing its mandated mission and is in critical need of a customizable High power ultrafast fiber laser to fulfill its role within

NIMH.

3. Generic Name of Product: High Power Ultrafast Fiber Laser

4. Purchase Description: (1) High power ultrafast fiber laser, (2) Satsuma HP2, (3) Continuum (brand of Amplitude) or equal.

High power ultrafast fiber laser Optical specifications:

- Wavelength: 1030nm

- Average power: up to 20W

- Repetition rate: from single shot to 40MHz

- Pulse duration: <350fs to 10ps

- Energy per pulse: up to 40µJ @ 500kHz

5. Salient characteristics: The UNCB must have the following requirements:

1. Laser with high pulse powers for use in cell ablation and nonlinear optogenetic stimulation

2. Laser is a fiber MOPA laser that generates ultrashort pulses with a center wavelength of 1030+-7 nm.

3. Laser must be air cooled (to meet installation needs)

4. Laser must deliver 40uJ pulse or greater at 500kHz and below.

5. Laser must support repetition rates from single shot to 40 Mhz.

6. Laser must have pulse duration <400fs and must fluctuate in pulse and average energy less than 2% RMS over 6h.

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

7. Laser must have a greater than 100:1 polarization ratio and beam diameter of <3.00mm in both transverse axes.

8. Laser pointing stability must be < 100 µrad

9. Integrated group velocity dispersion compensation device inside the laser head, which is software controlled via USB

10. The maximum GVD compensation must be >= -10,000 fs2.

6. Quantity: One (1)

7. Delivery Date: Within 16 weeks after receipt of order (ARO)