BACKGROUND:
Notice is hereby given by the University of Ottawa of the intent to enter into a contract with Coherent Canada Inc. to purchase a Femtosecond-duration visible optical parametric oscillator (80MHz) “Chameleon Compact OPO VIS“ for the purposes of adding wavelength tenability features to an existing Coherent Chameleon Ti:Sapphire Laser system.
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 preidentified supplier.
INTENDED USE:
The intended use of this product is to extend the range of capabilities of an existing Coherent Canada Inc. Chameleon Ti:Sapphire Laser, and generate multi (coherent) beams. The entire of the system (OPO and pump laser) have tunability over a wide spectral range, from 0.5 um to 0.8 um, and from 1 um to 1.6 um in wavelength, to perform various types of experiments and broaden the capabilities of the laboratory research horizon. We also need this item in order to generate squeezed and entangled states of light which has many applications in various quantum optics topics. We need these capabilities so we can continue our cutting-edge research in quantum communication and quantum sensing.
FUNCTIONALITY:
The equipment must conform to the following specifications:
- The visible OPO must be compatible and should be integrated with the currently installed Chameleon Ti:Sapphire Laser at the University of Ottawa.
- The visible OPO along with the Chameleon Ti:Sapphire pump laser, must provide a tuning range of 340 nm-1600 nm. While the currently existing pump laser provide a tunable wavelength between 740 nm and 880 nm, the OPO must provide signal and idler being tuneable between 1 um and 1.6 um.
- The system must be alignment free, fully automated and computer controlled. The OPO system includes the second harmonic conversion of the Ti:Sapphire and OPO Signal beams, which is automatically tracks the fundamental beams, the system should NOT require additional optics or parts (e.g. nonlinear crystals, filters, etc.), and it must be plug-and-play.
- Warranty: all components of the laser system must be under the warranty for a minimum of 1 year.
- Extended Warranty: must be able to provide four (4) years of extended warranty.
- Installation and training: must include on-site installation (of fully integrated system – OPO with existing Ti:Sapphire Laser) and provide training for laboratory personnel.
- Software (incl. softaware upgrade): Compatibility with 32/64-bit Windows systems for remote access, compatiblity with standard USB communication protocol, and LabVIEW library availability
- Electrical requirement (ex. Power): Fully compatible with the standard North American electrical systems (either 120 V, 20 A or 208 V, 20 A)
- Instrument inspection and acceptance: Compliant with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) requirements for electronics.
Justification of Pre-Selected Supplier:
Supplier: Coherent Canada Inc., 3600A Laird Road, Unit 15, Mississauga, ON L5L 6A6, Canada
Justification:
Coherent Canada Inc. Chameleon Compact OPO VIS add-on will enable to generate non-classical light sources, squeezed state of light as well as extending the wavelength coverage from the visible through the near IR which are required for future experiments we are intending to conduct to support the above mentioned projects. The acquisition of the Chameleon Compact OPO VIS will involve integration with an existing Coherent Ti:Sapphire Laser, therefore, the two systems 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 Chameleon Compact OPO VIS.
