The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML), Quantum Measurement Division (QMD) is furthering NIST’s mission to develop campus-wide and metropolitan-scale quantum networks, using highly sensitive few-photon measurements for distribution of photonic quantum information. As part of these efforts, the QMD is developing the capability to stabilize optical phase over long fiber links with faint light, enabling the distribution of phase-sensitive quantum information carriers. This project combines QMD expertise in single-photon measurement with the expertise of the Time and Frequency Division (TFD) in ultrastable optical frequency references. Before incorporating quantum measurement, the QMD will first replicate state-of-the-art methods of classical phase stabilization using a benchmark system designed by the TFD. A central component of this system is a low-noise single-frequency laser.

NIST is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a commercial solution that will achieve the objectives described above, in addition to the following essential requirements: 

• Operating Ambient Temperature: 21C to 23.5C
• If an outside electrical power source is needed, the laser and its controller should be compatible with 100-120V/60Hz, 1-phase input.
• Center Wavelength: (1550.12 +/- 0.40) nm , aligned to standard ITU channel 34
• Total thermal tuning range: 1000 pm or more
• Optical output power: 10 mW or more across full tuning range
• Linewidth (Lorentzian): < 0.100 kHz
• Relative Intensity Noise (RIN):
  • @ peak:  < -100 dBc/Hz
  • @ 10 MHz:  < -135 dBc/Hz
• Maximum phase noise:
  • @ 10 Hz:  -90 dB((Rad/sqHz)/m)  or lower
• Mode-hop-free tuning range: 25 GHz or more
• The laser system should incorporate active stabilization of the output power to minimize noise while tuning wavelength.
• Wavelength modulation speed: from 0 Hz to 20 kHz or more
• Wavelength modulation range: 8 GHz or larger
• Laser output is coupled into single-mode, polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber
• Beam quality: M2 < 1.05
• Output Polarization: linear; > 20 dB polarization extinction ratio

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE

In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. Please include only the following information, readable in either Microsoft Word 365, Microsoft Excel 365, or .pdf format, in the response:  Submit the response by email to the Primary Point of Contact and, if specified, to the Secondary Point of Contact listed in this notice as soon as possible, and preferably before the closing date and time of this notice.  Please note that to be considered for award under any official solicitation, the entity must be registered and “active” in SAM at the time of solicitation response.

• Provide the complete name of your company, address, name of contact for follow-up questions, their email, their phone number and, if your company has an active registration in https://sam.gov, your company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI).

• Identify the equipment that your company sells that can meet the objectives addressed in the BACKGROUND section of this notice.  For each product recommended to meet the Government’s requirement, provide the following:
  • Manufacturer name
  • Model number
  • Technical specifications
  • If your company is not the manufacturer, provide information on your company’s status as an authorized reseller of the product(s)

• Describe performance capabilities of the product(s) your company recommends to meet the Government’s requirements.  Additionally, if there are other features or functions that you believe would assist NIST in meeting its objectives described above, please discuss in your response.
  • Discuss whether the equipment that your company sells and which you describe in your response to this notice may be customized to specifications and indicate any limits to customization.

• Identify any aspects of the NIST market research notice, including instructions, and draft minimum specifications in the BACKGROUND section you cannot meet and state why.  Please offer suggestions for how the market research notice and draft minimum specifications could be made more competitive.

• State whether the proposed equipment is manufactured in the United States and, if not, state the name of the country where the equipment is manufactured.

• Identify any plans/poss