The Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has fully funded an approximately $16 million coherent soft X-ray photonics facility which will be developed at the University of Ottawa. This project will comprise the designing and building of a major new ultrafast photonics lab along with the upgrading of an existing ultrafast photonics lab. The aim of the project is to build a laser and associated optical system which can create high energy diffraction-limited beams reaching photon energies > 500 eV at high repetition rates, for probing and imaging the ultrafast electron dynamics of atoms, molecules or solids while identifying the atomic constituents through X-ray spectroscopy. The project will also develop a new laser materials processing research facility, jointly with a global industry leader. Electronic dynamics are at the forefront of many different areas of technology and are becoming increasingly important in scientific and commercial research interests. Undoubtedly then, this work will have profound implications for our knowledge of ultrafast electronic dynamics in atomic and molecular systems and the laser-matter interactions underlying the processing of materials using short pulse laser technology.
To develop the proposed facility, high quality electronic components, cables and connecters, vacuum compatible wires and connecters, electronic hardware, laboratory instruments and accessories will be required. The suppliers of the components must be able to provide high quality products, in a timely fashion, which will be compatible with our planned systems (see examples in Appendix H). The supplier must have a proven track record with regards to customer support and warranties, while having a large inventory of in-stock components available for rapid delivery to Ottawa, Canada.
Located in the heart of the nation's capital, the University of Ottawa has a total population of over 40,000, including students, teaching and support staff. It is the largest bilingual University in North America. The University’s Facilities provide facilities and infrastructure services necessary to the University in order to achieve the University’s academic and research objectives. The University continuously strives to manage costs and maximize value by establishing strong, consistent relationships with suppliers that demonstrate the ability, over the long run, to provide quality goods and services at competitive prices.
