19-005099_-_Purchase_Description.pdf

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

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose:

The Section on Critical Brain Dynamics, NIMH (Senior investigator: Dietmar Plenz, PhD) and The Unit on Neural Computation and Behavior (Section Chief: Mark Histed, PhD) require a amplified-pulse laser system for 2-photon imaging. The Plenz and Histed research groups are collaboratively using a new methods to stimulate many neurons, two-photon optogenetics. This laser system will allow for simultaneous imaging and recording from dozens of neurons in vivo. With this joint purchase, the two laboratory groups can collectively advance the reseach directives set forth by the Brain Initiative as well as increase our knowledge and understanding of normal brain function and pathology in disease, which ultimately benefits the NIH and NIMH missions.

2. Background Information and Objective:

Brain function is created by the activity of large populations of neurons. To understand mental disease, it is imperative to understand the function of brains by recording and perturbing the activity of many neurons simultaneously. In vivo cellular imaging methods, including two-photon imaging, currently make it possible to record many neurons, but until recently no method was available to stimulate many neurons with cellular resolution. The Plenz and Histed research groups are collaboratively using a new method to stimulate many neurons, two-photon optogenetics. This approach requires an amplified-pulse laser system. This procurement action is to obtain a suitable amplified-pulse laser system. With the ability to simultaneously image and record dozens of neurons in vivo, the two groups will advance our understanding of normal brain function and pathology in disease, which benefits the NIH and NIMH missions.

3. Generic Name of Product:

Broad wavelength range pulse-laser system

4. Purchase Description:

Carbide + Orpheus-R-DPL DPSS tunable laser system/Carbide-45W-2MHz with Orpheus-F-DPL

5. Salient characteristics

1. ORPHEUS-F is a hybrid optical parametric amplifier of white-light continuum pumped by femtosecond Ytterbium based laser amplifiers.

2. OPA combines the short pulse durations that are produced by a non-collinear OPA and wide wavelength tuning range (620 – 900 nm) offered by collinear version.

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

3. Signal beam can be easily compressed with a simple prism-based setup down to <60 fs in most of the tuning range, while Idler is compressed in bulk material down to 40 – 90 fs depending on wavelength.

4. Switching to standard OPA configuration for tuning in 900 – 1200 nm range (250 fs) is optional. It possible to limit the output bandwidth to some extent (up to 2 – 3 times) without losing any output power.

5. Standard ORPHEUS device uses spectral narrowing to produce bandwidth-limited 200 – 300 fs duration pulses directly at the output, with extended Signal/Idler tuning range and options to generate ultraviolet and mid-infrared light. Our non-collinear ORPHEUS-N-2H device produces even broader bandwidths, compressible down to <20 fs, but limits the tuning range to 650 – 900 nm. For most applications, the performance of ORPHEUS-F configuration is the optimal choice.

6. Quantity: 1

7. Delivery Date: ~ 6 months

8. Period of Performance:

The Plenz and Histed laboratories will use the laser day ~8hr/day for experimental purposes beyond 60 months. Regular maintence and upgrades will be made to meet scientific demands.

9. Option(s): N/A