Statement of Requirements
The proposed instrument is an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) capable of delivering picosecond-duration pulses at a repetition rate of 80MHz. The pulses must be tuneable in wavelength from 750-950nm and 1200-2000nm, when pumped with a 10W average power beam at 532nm.
General Description:
The tuneable OPO will be used for experiments in quantum optics, quantum communication, and quantum information. The source will enable experiments in optical fibre where picosecond pulse durations are required to mitigate the problem of pulse broadening from dispersion. The broad wavelength tuning range will allow experiments throughout the near-infrared, including the O-, E-, S-, and C-telecom bands; these wavelengths are particularly important for quantum communication applications. Automated wavelength tuning is required to avoid the need for user alignment and maximize the time spent on trans-spectral experiments. A high degree of spatial coherence and a beam quality factor near one (1) is required to allow efficient coupling into single-mode optical fibres.
Minimum Mandatory Requirements:
1. Optical Specifications
1.1. Must deliver wavelength output from 750-950nm and 1200-2000nm.
1.2. Must deliver transform-limited pulse duration of >4ps and less than 15ps when pumped with 15ps-duration pulses from a Coherent Paladin 532-20000.
1.3. Must have a pulse repetition rate of 80MHz when pumped with an 80MHz repetition rate source.
1.4. Must have an output beam in the TEMR00R mode with quality of M2<1.2 when pumped with a pump laser having M2<1.2.
1.5. Must be compatible with an external pump laser delivering 15ps pulses at 532nm wavelength, 80MHz (±50kHz) repetition rate, and average power of 10W (Coherent Paladin 532-20000).
1.6. Must have sub-picosecond root mean square (RMS) timing jitter between the output at 750-950nm and the output at 1200-2000nm.
1.7. Must deliver >2W average power from 750-950nm and >0.5W average power from 1200-2000nm when driven with a 10W average power laser.
1.8. Must have power stability of <±3% RMS over 2 hours, after a 1 hour warm-up period in a laboratory with temperature stability of <±1°C, when driven with a pump laser having power stability of <±2% RMS over the same period.
1.9. Must include optics to separate the 750-950nm beam from the 1200-2000nm beam.
2. Other Requirement
2.1. Must have fully automatic wavelength tuning.
2.2. Installation and training must be included.
2.3. Must include one (1) year warranty on parts and labor.
2.4. Any devices and parts needed to control the system operation and tuning must be included.
3. Utilities
3.1. All components in the entire system must operate on standard Canadian power distribution/ electrical supply (120V, 20A or 208V, 20A)
3.2. All electrical components must have CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certification or accepted equivalent as per Electrical Safety Authority Recognized Certification Mark at the following link: https://www.esasafe.com/electricalproducts/marks. Otherwise the cost of inspection and certification has to be covered by the vendor.
