Notice of Intent to Noncompetitively Acquire EMCCD camera for color center spectroscopy

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Nanoscale Device Characterization Division (NDCD) develops and advances the measurement and knowledge infrastructure to characterize nano- and atom-scale engineered materials and solid-state devices for innovation in information processing, sensing, and future quantum technologies. The NDCD’s technical activities span atom scale devices, nanoscale spectroscopy, nanoscale imaging, nanoscale processes and measurements, and alternative computing.

To meet mission requirements, the NDCD needs to procure an electron-multiplying charge-coupled device (EMCCD) camera. This acquisition will allow the division to improve its capabilities in the spectroscopic measurement of color centers and further their development as platforms for quantum sensing/communication. An EMCCD is required for spectroscopic measurement of color centers.

This is necessary to determine the performance of these single-site emitters as quantum sensors, as well as single-photon emitters for quantum communications. These measurements require a detector that is both fast enough to perform dynamic measurements and sensitive enough to detect low-light photon counts. Due to the variety of anticipated optical research to be conducted, we require an EMCCD camera that is appropriate for both spectroscopy (speed, sensitivity) and imaging (image array size, pixel resolution).

Numerous color centers across disparate materials classes are of technological interest and importance such that the EMCCD also requires a wide spectral operating range and high quantum efficiency across many different wavelengths. Of particular interest is the emission of the diamond NV- color center (ZPL 637 nm) and the silicon carbide V1 and V2 color centers (ZPL 862 nm and 917 nm, respectively).

The EMCCD will be used in an established laboratory at NIST on an optical table that holds other equipment for spectroscopic measurements, and we require the camera to be well-integrated with the spectrograph in this existing optical spectroscopy system. The measurements will support the NDCD’s Nanoscale Spectroscopy Group, which develops and advances optical, electrical, and magnetic spectroscopic measurement methods for nanoscale characterization of materials and applies this knowledge to nanoscale devices.

This new characterization capability is an essential component of the NDCD’s ongoing efforts to develop color centers as a platform for future quantum technologies. This notice is not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued and quotations will not be requested. This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) via FAR 13.501.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516 Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing. A comprehensive survey was conducted of numerous manufacturers of EMCCDs. Our market research, which included extensive web searches and discussions with both collaborators and companies, indicated, only the Teledyne/Princeton ProEM meets all of our minimum requirements.

Only the Teledyne/Princeton ProEM meets the following unique specifications: 1.) above 75% QE from 400 to 800 nm, 2.) above 50% QE from 350 to 900 nm, and 3.) at least 60% QE for SiC V1 emission at 862 nm and at least 40% QE for SiC V2 emission at 917 nm. Additionally, only Teledyne/Princeton can be integrated into our existing optical spectroscopy setup based around a Teledyne/Princeton HRS-300 imaging spectrograph and is compatible with our operating software, LightField.

NIST conducted market research from May 2024 by internet searches, GSA Advantage searches, company website searches, and discussions with sources. The results of that market research revealed that only Teledyne/Princeton Instruments; 3660 Mercerville Quakerbridge RD, Trenton, NJ 08619-1208;;

UEI: SRAYE6X6EAL8 appears to be capable of meeting NIST’s requirements. However, any sources that believe they are capable of meeting NIST’s minimum requirements are encouraged to respond to this notice by the response date to provide the following information at a minimum: Company Unique Entity Identifier number in https://sam.gov; details about what your company is capable of providing that meets or exceeds NIST’s minimum requirements; whether your company is an authorized reseller of the product or service being cited and evidence of such authorization; and any other information that can help NIST determine whether this requirement may be competitively satisfied.