66 -- DIODE-PUMPED SOLID STATE LASER SYSTEM

Notice Date

February 21, 2001

Contracting Office

DOC; Mountain Administrative Support Center; Acquisition Management Division; 325 Broadway MC3; Boulder, CO 80303-3328

ZIP Code

80303-3328

Solicitation Number

NB847000100092JW

Response Due

March 16, 2001

Point of Contact

Jacqueline Wright (303) 497-5282, FAX (303) 497-3163

E-Mail Address

NOAA; MASC Acquisitions Management (Jacqueline.S.Wright@noaa.gov)

Description

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a requirement to provide a diode-pumped solid state laser system. The Atomic Standards Group in the Time and Frequency Division (TFD) is responsible for the development and operation of primary frequency standards for the United States. In the past several years, TFD has developed and begun operating a new type of atomic clock, NIST-F1, which takes advantage of laser-cooling techniques to achieve new, unprecedented accuracies. The laser system required for the operation of this clock, as well as planned future laser-cooled clocks, must be of extremely high quality to ensure accurate and reliable performance. TFD is in the process of developing a new laser system for NIST-F1 as well as for other clock research projects. This system will consist of a Titanium Sapphire laser pumped by a diode-pumped solid state system (532 nm) . The diode-pumped solid state laser requirements are extreme for these applications: the laser must be extremely low-noise (single frequency and single-mode) to ensure that atoms in the clock do not interact with undesired frequencies; the system must have high power output (10 Watts) in order to achieve high atomic densities within the laser cooled sample, the power output levels must be stable with time to minimize clock fluctuations due to power drift, and the system must be reliable in order to achieve long uninterrupted periods (many months) of continues clock operation. In the event of laser failure, the device must be easily and quickly repaired to avoid long periods of clock down time. TFD has found that there is only one type of laser that meets the requirements: a solid state, diode-pumped laser system with low-noise requirements (single frequency and single-mode). The requirements needed for the system are as follows: Diode-pumped, all solid-state, frequency-doubled Nd:YVO4 laser possessing Single frequency and single mode output Output Power: greater than or nearly equal to10 Watts Power Stability: plus or minus 1 percent (after 15 minutes) Wavelength: 532 nm Amplitude Noise: less than or nearly equal to 0.04 percent (Measured in a 10Hz-1 GHz Bandwidth) Beam Diameter: approximately 2 mm Beam Divergence: less than or nearly equal to 0.5 mrad Beam Quality: Gaussian Beam such that M2 less than or nearly equal to 1.1 Polarization: Linear, vertical, greater than 100:1 Single Longitudinal Mode/ Single Frequency Linewidth: less than 5 MHz Specifications Continued: 1) The laser must deliver non-mode-hop, single-longitudinal-mode output; i.e., linewidth must be under 5MHz. Systems based on a multi-axial design (MAD or QMAD) are not acceptable because of the mode-beating noise inherent in this design. 2) The laser must have a noise performance of lower than 0.04 percent rms from 10Hz to 1GHz. 3) When replacing the pump laser diode modules, the laser head position and beam propagation path must not change, nor shall the laser cavity require any realignment or exposure to the laboratory environment. Therefore, the pump diode module and the delivery fiber must detach from each other. The delivery fiber must not detach at the laser head when replacing the laser pump diode module. 4) To ensure maximum pump diode lifetime, the pump diodes must be manufactured using aluminum-free active area diodes. Diodes using Al in the active region are unacceptable because of shortened lifetime caused by Al oxidation-induced optical failure. 5) To ensure maximum pump diode lifetime, the laser system must automatically and continuously optimize the pump diode wavelength to maximize optical conversion efficiency. Systems that use an assumed pre-programmed decay rate are unacceptable. 6) All optical elements must be permanently fixed and aligned in the optical cavity for long term ease of use and reliability. Adjustable optic mounts of any kind are unacceptable. Furthermore, re-adjustment of laser optics must not be required if the pump laser is moved or repositioned. 7) All specifications must be clearly stated in published vendor brochures and/or data sheets. Interested sources must submit a written qualification statement, with literature, by March 16, 2001, and must contain sufficient information to clearly establish the ability to provide the necessary equipment. Responses must reference Synopsis No. NB847000100092JW. This announcement/solicitation is being issued under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures, FAR Part 13 (NTE $100,000.00) and is not a request for quotes. There is no bid package available, just the important salient characteristics listed above. The award decision will be based upon the best value to the Government, with technical merit, past performance and availability being significantly more important than price. Terms and Conditions and agency level protest procedures are referenced at http://netsite.esa.doc.gov.oam. In the absence of other qualified sources, based on the responses, it is the intent of the government to negotiate with Coherent Inc., Santa Clara, CA. Technical questions can be directed to Thomas Heavner at (303) 497-5015. JACQUELINE WRIGHT Purchasing Agent

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010223/66SOL016.HTM (D-052 SN50E286)