Notice of Intent to Sole Source Electro Optic Modulator System

Background
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), specifically the Material Measurements Laboratory (MML) Materials Measurement Science Division (MMSD), requires an Electro Optic Modulator (EOM) System to characterize defects in both industry-supplied and NIST-fabricated semiconductor specimens.

NIST is constructing a custom Time Domain Thermoreflectance (TDTR) instrument that utilizes a pump and probe laser system to analyze thermal properties of materials. The contract is intended for Conoptics Inc., which specializes in electro-optic devices.

Work Details
The Contractor shall provide an Electro-Optic Modulator (EOM) System that includes two Electronic Drivers and two Electro-Optic modulators with the following specifications:
- Driver electronics must be a push-pull linear power amplifier with a maximum output voltage of ≥ 145 V.
- Variable modulation bandwidth from DC (0 MHz) to 25 MHz.
- Accepts a 1 V peak-to-peak input signal into 50 Ohms from a Zurich Instruments HF2LI Lock-in Amplifier.
- Rise and fall time ≤ 14 ns.
- One EOM must operate within the wavelength range of 325 nm to 525 nm, suitable for a 390 nm laser beam, including necessary optical coatings for UV wavelengths.
- A second EOM must operate within the wavelength range of 400 nm to 800 nm for a 520 nm laser beam.
- Must include options to reduce piezo-electric resonances for the KD*P Crystal.
- Incorporate Potassium Dideuterium Phosphate (KD*P) crystals with transmission ≥ 85%.
- Center in and center out operation without offset or angular change in the laser beam, no spatial dispersion, and an aperture diameter ≥ 2.7 mm.
- Each modulator must have an integrated beam block, adjustable mount for alignment, necessary cables, and vendor-specific alignment tools.