SATPC0038930 Tab 06 RDSS..pdf

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER

RECOMMENDATION AND DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM ONE SOURCE

OR BRAND NAME

PICK ONE

Sole Source:

☒I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with Spectra-Physics only for:

Procurement of an automated femtosecond laser Optical Parametric Amplifier (OPA) system for tunable output in the ultraviolet-visible wavelengths that can be directly integrated, including control software, with a Spectra-Physics Solstice or Solstice Ace. The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is within 16 weeks after receipt of order.

OR

Brand Name Justification:

☐I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with only with vendors who can provide the subject band name from Manufacture Name for Enter Supply or Service to be procured. The total estimated cost of this effort is Enter Dollar amount and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is Date.

This recommendation is for the acquisition of supplies or services determined to be reasonably available from only one source/only one manufacture. Competition is impractical for the following reasons (please answer the questions below):

1. What are the reasons for soliciting only the suggested source/suggested brand name? Please provide the unique characteristics of the items or services along with the supporting rationale and the market research performed to substantiate your reason for the suggested source/brand name.

NASA Langley currently has two operational femtosecond laser systems from Spectra-Physics (Solstice and Solstice Ace). Both laser systems generate 800 nm laser light between 60-100 fs. We wish to upgrade one of these laser system with an automated femtosecond laser Optical Parametric Amplifier (OPA) for wavelength tuning in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) wavelengths. NASA projects are interested in measurement techniques that require tunable, high-energy, femtosecond laser light in the UV-VIS wavelength range, requiring an upgrade to one of the existing femtosecond laser systems. This procurement from Spectra-Physics is for a robust OPA system that can be directly integrated, including mechanical, optical, and software compatibility, with an existing Spectra-Physics Solstice or Solstice Ace.

The characteristics of this OPA unit are exceedingly unique due to the planned integrated nature of the system with the existing NASA Langley femtosecond lasers. The OPA system must allow an input wavelength of 800 nm, a pulse energy of up to 4 mJ/pulse, and a pulse width of 60-100 fs. The beam diameter of the Solstice lasers (10 mm) also must be accommodated. Stringent performance requirements also exist for operation at large-scale NASA facilities. Capability of housing and controlling non-linear crystals to allow access to UV-VIS wavelengths from 200 to 800 nm. Capability to be fully intergraded with the Control software in a manner that is compatible with the Solstice and Solstice Ace laser systems, including integrated look-up tables for non-linear crystal positions when changing wavelength. When pumped with 4 mJ of input energy at 800 nm, the following energy is required for the OPA system: 1) Second Harmonic of OPA Signal (580–800): >320 μJ, 2) Sum Frequency Generation of OPA Idler (533– 600): >200 μJ, 3) Sum Frequency Generation of OPA Signal (475–533): >280 μJ, 4) Fourth Harmonic of OPA Idler (400-480 nm): > 60μJ, 5) Fourth Harmonic of OPA Signal (290-400 nm): > 60μJ, 6) Second Harmonic after Sum Frequency Generation of OPA Signal (240-295 nm): > 28 μJ, 7) Second Harmonic after Sum Frequency Generation of OPA Idler (200-240 nm): > 12 μJ. Also required for the system are:

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1) Integrated compensator optic for beam deviation and residual laser beam separation and dumping, 2) Pulse duration not to exceed 150 fs for efficient atomic/molecular excitation and to freeze unsteady flow,

3) Beam divergence <1.5x (diffraction limit) to ensure good beam quality over long propagation distances,

4) Energy stability of 1% rms and pulse-to-pulse stability of 1%, 5) operation at 1 kHz. Furthermore, the power requirements (110 VAC, 60 Hz, single phase) are essential to install the system at the desired NASA ground test facilities without building modification.

2. What is the impact to the government if another vendor/brand was used? Include any dollar, schedule, or compatibility impacts if possible.

No other company has developed an automated femtosecond laser Optical Parametric Amplifier (OPA) system for tunable output in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) wavelengths that can be directly integrated, including control software, with a Spectra-Physics Solstice or Solstice Ace. If another vendor/brand is used here, the impact and utility of the laser system would be significantly diminished. For example, the ability to integrate the OPA unit with one of the existing 800 nm femtosecond laser is essential, from a mechanical, optical, and software perspective. Computer control for the various crystals and optical schemes are also essential for tuning the laser wavelength in an automatic manner. Not being able to do this in a robust manner would result in reduced performance of the measurement technique and a loss in potential data products for NASA projects. A different laser system may also significantly reduce measurement quality due to lower pulse energy and/or worse laser beam, energy stability, or power drift in the VIS-UV. Similarly, the relatively high pulse energy of the system and wide tunability in the VIS- UV is critical for the various applications at large-scale NASA ground test facilities. 1 kHz operation is required for time-resolved measurements for unsteady laminar flows and to allow for sufficient statistics to be acquired for turbulent flows. A different OPA unit would incur significant cost and schedule impacts.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Technical User Name Date

Title

Office