Statement of Requirements - 2026 dr purchase.docx

STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS

Title: Dilution Refrigerator (Purchase Requestion Number TBD)

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Quantum Sensors Division of the Physical Measurement Laboratory at NIST requires the purchase of a dilution refrigerator to support its research efforts in quantum sensors development and quantum information science. We regularly perform experiments at temperatures in the range of 10 to 100 mK, and increasingly need to measure full wafers 3 inch or 6 inch wafers at these temperatures. We are seeking a dilution refrigerator which can host multiple experiments simultaneously including wafer scale experiments. We are seeking the state of the art in terms of minimal require footprint, ease of use, performance and reliability.

Purpose/Objective: The required work provides a modern easy to use dilution refrigerator. The outcome is increased throughput on routine experiments at millikelvin temperatures such as wafer scale device screening as well as increased capability for novel detector development.

II. SCOPE

The vendor shall deliver a dilution refrigerator meeting the requirements in this document, inclusive of FOB Destination delivery, training and warranty.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide a system that meets all technical specifications identified below. All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable.

a. Base temperature 10 mK or lower

b. Cooling power at 100 mK 200 micro watts or larger

c. Vibration at base temperature stage <5 nm RMS, lower is preferred

d. 8 coax to base temperature

i. SMA feedthroughs at room temperature and base temperature at least

ii. Attenuators at each temperature stage, values too be determined later

iii. For operation up to at last 8 GHz, with low loss superconducting coax below 3 Kelvin

iv. Expansion capability up to 16 coax in the future

e. Brackets and DC wiring to mount and power QTY4 LNF-LNC4_8F_LG from Low Noise Factory at 3K, they may be mounted directly to SMA feedthroughs if space allows

f. Brackets and DC wiring to mount and power QTY4 Cryoelec Wideband LNA from Cryoelec, they may be mounted directly to SMA feedthroughs if space allows

g. DC wiring of 48 twisted pair to base temperature

i. Expansion capability up to 72 in the future

h. X-ray access

i. KF40 bulkhead mount at room temperature that that we may mount an x-ray source to

1. X-ray source not to be included, only the fixtures to mount one to the KF40 bulkhead

ii. Provides x-ray transmission to one sample position at base temperature of x-rays with energies down to about 1 keV

iii. To include x-ray vacuum window and x-ray filters on the various shields with approx 1 inch clear diameter

iv. Design such that window and filter may be replaced if damaged

v. It is preferred if the user may access the sample volume for the exchange of samples from all sample positions without moving/removing the x-ray source

1. Interlock signal based on the vacuum level in the cryostat that may be used to prevent operation of the x-ray source when the dilution refrigerator is not under vacuum

2. Interlock signal available at accessible connector

i. Gamma ray access

i. Screw holes around room temperature gamma ray port it to mount box/platform that can hold a gamma ray source

1. Box/platform not to be included, only the fixtures to mount one

ii. Provides gamma ray transmission to one sample position at base temperature of gamma rays with energies down to about 40 keV

iii. It is preferred if the user may access the sample volume for the exchange of samples from all sample positions without using/removing the gamma ray source box/platform

j. Optical fiber access

i. An optical fiber terminated at room temperature and base temperature with FC/APC connections that suppresses back reflection by at least 40 dB

ii. Total transmission > 50%

iii. Mechanically robust and optically dark support for connection at room temperature

iv. Fiber appropriate for 405 nm light and longer wavelengths as reasonable

v. Expansion capable to add up to 2 more fibers in the future

1. Expansion port vacuum feedthrough may be a 1/8 inch tube terminated by 1/8 Swagelok, we can use a Teflon ferrule to provide a vacuum tight fiber feedthrough, provided we can thread the fiber down through feedthroughs at each temperature stage

k. Large sample volume

i. Sample volume large enough to fit at least a 10 inch diameter sphere

l. Automatic slow pump out and vent

i. Our experiments often contain fragile micromachined parts, and other fragile components, we therefore require a reduced rate of pressure change during pump out

ii. The pump down and venting of the vacuum space shall be at a controlled low rate to ensure no damage to these components, with a maximum pressure rate of change of 1 torr/second

m. Magnetic Shielding Option

i. May be included as an option

ii. Magnetic shields mounted at 3K, 40K and/or room temperature surrounding all or all but one side of the base temperature area

n. Cryogen Free

i. No manipulation of liquid cryogens necessary to operate the refrigerator, including liquid helium and nitrogen

ii. No liquid nitrogen needed for a “cold trap”

o. Cooldown time

i. <24 hours to reach base temperature as delivered

p. No exchange gas

i. Cooldown and warm up must be done without the introduction of any exchange gas

ii. One or more warmup heaters shall be used to facilitate overnight warm up, in an automated fashion

q. Overpressure relief valve

i. An overpressure relief valve that will limit the overpressure in the primary vacuum volume to a level ensuring both equipment and person safety

r. Amenable to automation

i. We should be able to write a python script that runs on a computer separate from the dilution refrigerator which controls the dilution refrigerator via ethernet or another connection

ii. The script should be capable of operations like starting the cooldown, then upon reaching base temperature, ramping the temperature setpoint for the base temperature stage up and down while making some measurement, then starting the warm up procedure

s. Gas Handling System (GHS)

i. A complete a fully automated gas handling system shall be included. The GHS shall include all necessary pumps, valves, etc.

ii. It is preferred that the GHS use metal seals and limit the use of rubber o-ring seals

iii. NIST will provide approx. 18 L of He-3, final quantity to be determined by vendor

t. Dilution Unit construction

i. It is preferred to have the dilution unit constructed in a manner that will reduce the probability of leaks, such as avoiding solder joints and any process that may leave acid residue

u. Thermometry

i. Calibrated thermometers with readout shall be at various temperature stages, include the base temperature

ii. Feedback based control of the base temperature stage shall be easily achieved with the included electronics, it is preferred that the system can achieve 10 micro Kelvin stability or better

III. DELIVERABLES

9 months from purchase order

Standards of Acceptance: The NIST TPOC or COR shall review all of the above deliverables and respond with an acceptance or request for revision email to the Contractor Point of Contact (POC) within 2 weeks of receipt of deliverable. This section applies to deliverables which must be reviewed and approved for acceptances (draft plans, drawings, etc.)

IV. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The dilution refrigerator will be installed in a laboratory at the NIST site at 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO, 80305. The dilution refrigerator must meet performance requirements at this location.

V. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE/LEAD TIME

9 months after receipt of order.

VI. DELIVERY TERMS

Delivery shall be F.O.B Destination and shall occur in accordance with the delivery due dates provided in the above table.

FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery. The contractor shall deliver all Line Items to:

National Institute of Standards and Technology Shipping and Receiving 325 Broadway, Building 22 Boulder, CO 80305

VII. INSPECTION & ACCEPTANCE

In addition to the inspection and acceptance terms articulated in 52.212-4, the Government reserves the right to perform such performance tests and evaluations as defined below to verify specified system performance. Such tests and evaluations, if performed, shall be conducted within the environment that the system is to be operated. The Contractor has the right to be present during the tests and evaluations, if performed, at the Contractor’s expense.

The Government technical point of contact will inspect the dimensions of the photodiodes and carriers upon receipt.

Performance Tests:

1. The dilution refrigerator will be operated under the supervision of the vendor and demonstrate performance specifications including base temperature, cooling power, cool down time, automated pump out and cool down, temperature control, and automated warm up and vent.

2. The physical dimensions and features will be inspected to determine agreement with the lab layout design and specifications.

NIST may choose at its discretion to forego this part of acceptance testing.

A visual inspection of the equipment will be performed by the NIST TPOC to identify surface defects or any form of indication that any equipment was damaged during transport to NIST. The Government shall have sole discretion to require repair or replacement of damaged and/or nonconforming supplies at no cost to the Government. The Government at any time prior to acceptance shall reject the equipment due to defects and/or nonconformance. The vendor is responsible for latent defects discovered any time after final inspection as described in the warranty. However, the extent of its liability shall be prorated over the useful life of the equipment.

Ownership of the equipment shall transfer to NIST upon acceptance by the Government.

The Government will test, inspect, and accept or reject the equipment within 14 days of the receipt of the equipment unless otherwise indicated above. The Government reserves the right to conduct quality assurance testing to confirm that a given instrument(s) meets the manufacturer’s and/or the Government’s performance specifications. It is anticipated that the equipment will meet all manufacturer’s specifications and/or the Government’s performance specifications identified in the most recent operations and maintenance manual for each piece of equipment and/or in this document.

VIII. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Vendor may proffer a payment schedule. Partial advance payment is acceptable.

NOTE: Partial shipments and partial invoices will not be accepted, unless otherwise requested and accepted by the Contracting Officer prior to award offer. Proposed payment schedules shall be submitted with vendor’s response to the RFQ for consideration.