High power hollow core fiber assembly for laser pulse compression

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is operated by Stanford University for the Department of Energy. As a management and operating contractor, subcontracts awarded by the Laboratory are not Federal procurements, and are not directly subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulations in 48 CFR. Nonetheless, certain Federal laws, Executive Orders, and regulations may affect our DOE approved purchasing system, as required by statute, regulation, or contract terms and conditions.

SLAC has a requirement for a U.S. domestic end item source of the following:

1. Qty-1    Main fiber holder kit few-cycle standard: fiber holder (entrance and exit), fiber protection tube, 2 pcs. KF25 bellows (nominal maximum pressure: 1.5 bar; operation will fail at 2.5-3 bar). The fiber is not included and should be ordered separately
2. Qty-1    KF25 stainless steel tubing (length to be specified, max. 1 m) incl. two adjustable holders, one T-piece; O-rings and clamps.
3. Qty-1    1`` vacuum window mount (20mm clear aperture) (window not included)
4. Qty-1     High power mounted fiber (ID ¿ 500μm) with conical ceramic protection taper at entrance, length <3m
5. Qty-1    Optical axis height adjustment kit. Includes two adapter base plates for the main fiber kit,  Height: 1" (total height 5")
6. Qty-1    High-pressure upgrade I; increases the nominal maximum pressure to 2.5 bar absolute; operation will fail at pressures >5 bar
7. Packaging

Technical Evaluation below:

Laser Wavelength- The hollow-core fiber (HCF) assembly must be compatible with operation at a laser wavelength of 1030 nm. The vendor must provide evidence of HCF pulse compression systems at or near this wavelength.

Pulse energy- The HCF assembly must be compatible with an input pulse energy of 1.75 mJ at 1030 nm.

Average power- The HCF assembly must be compatible with femtosecond laser input at an average power of 70 W.

Operating conditions- The requirements for laser wavelength, pulse energy, and average power must be supported concurrently, rather than demonstrated only under separate operating conditions. The intended operating point is 1030 nm, 1.75 mJ per pulse, and 70 W average power, corresponding to 40 kHz repetition rate.

Pulse duration- The HCF assembly is intended for second-stage pulse compression, with an approximately 30 fs input pulse duration and a target output pulse duration below 10 fs following compression optics at the specified operating conditions. Compression optics will be procured separately, but the hollow core fiber assembly should produce spectral broadening sufficient for less than 10 fs.

The vendor should provide documented evidence, supporting the feasibility of achieving the target output pulse duration for a 80 W Light Conversion Carbide with their product as part of a second stage laser pulse compression system. The sub-10 fs target is a required performance objective and documented evidence of feasibility for a Light-Conversion Carbide with the procured system is desired to mitigate risk.

Pressure requirements- The complete HCF assembly must have a nominal maximum working pressure of at least 2.5 bar absolute and must be capable of withstanding 4 bar absolute or above internal pressure without failure. The windows themselves may be sourced externally.

Hollow core fiber- The HCF mounts must accommodate flexible fused-silica hollow-core fibers longer than or equal to 1.5 m and permit the fiber to be stretched and secured for laser pulse compression.

Vacuum window interface- The assembly must include window adapter that provides vacuum-tight and pressure-tight connections to KF flanges. The window adapter must accommodate a standard 1-inch-diameter ultraviolet-grade fused-silica (UVFS) window and provide a clear aperture of at least 18 mm. The windows themselves will be sourced externally.

Laser beam height- The assembly must include the mounts and hardware required to interface with a laser beam height of 5 inches above the optical table.

Leadtime- The vendor must be able to ship the complete assembly within three months of receipt of the purchase order.

Vacuum tubing- The assembly must include the vacuum tubing required for operation. The supplied tubing must use KF connections and permit the assembly to be configured for the intended vacuum and gas-filled pressure operating conditions. Gas line fittings will be procured separately.

Hollow Core Fiber Assembly- Complete hollow core fiber assembly to route high energy laser beam under vacuum and overpressure and enable stretching of flexible fused silica hollow core fiber. UVFS windows to seal the assembly, and gas filling fitting and tubing will be sourced externally.

Footprint- The hollow core fiber assembly should have <0.2 m length in the short dimension. Total long dimension of assembly should fit within 4.5 meter optical table length.

The award will be made based upon the attached Lowest Price Technically Acceptable method best lead time.

Marking of Proprietary/Confidential Information. Offerors shall properly mark and identify with a restrictive legend or information markings on pages of the proposal that contain Proprietary/ confidential information.

For Offeror to be eligible for a subcontract award with the University and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Offeror shall be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). Entities may register at no cost directly at the SAM website: https://www.sam.gov.

The resulting purchase order shall be performed in accordance with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's Terms and Conditions for Fixed Price Commercial Supplies and Services dated August  2023.

NOTE: The following documents are attached in this solicitation.

1. Buy American Act Certificate
2. Reps and certs Rider - September 2022 -Domestic
3. Reps and Certs International Rider - Foreign supplier
4. Terms & Conditions for Fixed Price Commercial Supplies and Services, August 2023 and _Supplemental_Rider_Aug2026_Rev1

Please provide quoted price, delivery, technical compliance statement and certification for the attention of Bernadette Espiritu.

Payment Terms: Net 30 days  Freight terms will be FOB Destination Prepaid and Add.

Domestic Suppliers - Freight terms will be FOB Destination Prepaid and Add.

Foreign Supplier - Shipment will be made CIP SLAC, Menlo Park, and Duty Unpaid. Seller will be responsible for arranging and paying for freight and cargo insurance to the agreed destination.