BACKGROUND:
Notice is hereby given by the University of Ottawa of the intent to enter into a contract with Laser Quantum to purchase a Femtosecond-duration Visible Optical Parametric Oscillator “Taccor OPO-X Vis” for the purpose of adding wavelength tunability features to an existing femtosecond laser system (Taccor Tune from Laser Quantum). The upgraded features are required to perform experiments that employ squeezed state of light.
PROCESS:
Suppliers who consider their equipment functional, successfully tested, readily available and fully compliant may submit in writing a statement of specifications to the contact person identified in this Notice, on or before the closing date of this Notice. In the statement of specifications, the supplier must unequivocally demonstrate how their equipment, at minimum, equals, or exceeds the stated requirements.
If no other supplier submits a statement of specifications, on or before the closing date of this Notice, the competitive requirements of the University of Ottawa will be considered as having been met.
Following notification to any suppliers not successful in unequivocally demonstrating that their statement of specifications equals or exceeds the requirements set out in this Notice, the contract may then be awarded to the pre-identified supplier.
INTENDED USE:
The intended use of this product is to extend the range of capabilities of an existing Laser Quantum laser, making it suitable for a broader range of research. This item will significantly enhance research abilities and makes it possible to conduct state-of-the-art experiments in a variety of quantum photonics and related areas. “Taccor OPO-X Vis” will be integrated with the existing 1 GHz Taccor Tune pump laser source and will deliver bright, tunable, coherent femtosecond- pulses with wavelengths ranging from 0.53 um to 0.74 um, while operating at a 1-GHz repetition rate. This source will be synchronized with a high repetition-rate laser, making it ideally suited for use in prototype development where multi-frequency nonlinear optical techniques are deployed. The 1GHz repetition rate will enable the rapid collection of statistics in probabilistic multi-photon experiments such as spectrally encoded quantum information processing.
FUNCTIONALITY:
The equipment must conform to the following minimum requirements and specifications:
- The visible OPO must be compatible and integrated with the existing Taccor Tune 10 Ti:Sapphire pump laser by Laser Quantum.
- The visible OPO along with the existing Taccor Tune 10 (Ti:Sapphire pump) laser must provide a tuning range of 1 um to 1.5 um for the signal output beam and of 0.530 um to 0.740 um for the VIS output beam
- The system must be fully automated and computer controlled.
- The OPO system must include the second harmonic conversion of the OPO signal beam capable of automatically tracking the fundamental beams.
- Pump laser modification: Taccor Tune 10 (pump laser) must be modified accordingly in order to match the wavelength requirements.
- Warranty: one year's coverage must be included, both for inspection, parts and labour.
- Installation and training: must include on-site installation (of fully integrated system - OPO with existing laser) and provide training for laboratory personnel.
- Electrical requirement (ex. Power): must be compatible with standard North American electrical systems (either 120 V, 20 A or 208 V, 20 A)
Justification of Pre-Selected Supplier:
Supplier: Laser Quantum, 47673 Lakeview Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Justification:
The “Taccor OPO-X Vis” add-on will enable tunability of the laser output beam, which is a crucial parameter for performing various experiments. It will also allow experiments requiring squeezed state of light once incorporated into the existing laser, thus facilitating novel ideas for conducting research in different areas of quantum communication and quantum sensing which require squeezed light. The purchase of the “Taccor OPO-X Vis” add-on will involve integration with an existing Laser Quantum “Taccor Tune” laser; therefore, the two must be compatible. As such, the add-on must be purchased from the manufacturer of the existing laser. No other similar products on the market by any other suppliers can offer seamless compatibility with all the requirements and features of the Taccor laser.
