Wavelength Meter

NIST Requirements Document Wavelength meters I. Background The Fundamental Thermodynamics group at the Sensor Science Division is conducting Standard Photonic Thermometer (SPoT) project. The main focus of the project is to develop the next-generation chip-scale photonic temperature metrology that can replace Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometers (SPRTs), reduce the temperature calibration chain and sensor ownership cost. The SPoT project, pursued by The Fundamental Thermodynamics group, is a multi-year/multi- million effort funded by both NIST-on-a-Chip (NOAC) and Air Force. The timely achieving project’s milestones is NIST-mission-critical task and is one of the priorities of the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML). One of the essential milestones of Standard Photonic Thermometer is to develop both high- resolution photonic readout capabilities, as well as cost-efficient and deployable photonic readout systems. To achieve these essential for the project milestones, the Fundamental Thermodynamics group has a critical need for one (1) high-resolution and one (1) low- resolution wavelength meters. The high-resolution wavemeter should come with 4-channel optical switch and 4-channel PID controller. Both instruments must be from the same manufacture to ensure software compatibility. The instruments are essential for achieving the precision and stability necessary in next-generation temperature metrology. The wavelength meters are mission-critical components in developing photonic readout for SPoT project. Delaying or not approving this procurement would directly hinder progress toward key milestones of the Air Force–funded project Photonic Thermometry for SPRT Replacement. Without the requested instrumentation, we risk catastrophic disruptions to ongoing work on the project, potential funding setbacks, and compromised deliverables. To ensure uninterrupted workflow and mitigate these risks, the procurement of wavelength meters is an absolute necessity. . II. Scope The group requires one (1) high-resolution and one (1) low-resolution wavelength meters. The high-resolution wavemeter should provide 60 MHz resolution (or higher) and sampling rate of 1 kHz (or faster) to allow for the measurement of a fast response time of photonic thermometer. The stability/repeatability of the high-resolution wavemeter over 1 minute should be better than 3 MHz. The low-resolution wavemeter should provide ±0.2 part per million (ppm) fractional wavelength error over the entire operating range; ±0.3 pm at 1550 nm, or better; and a sampling rate of 25 Hz or faster. III. Minimum Requirements The system shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements identified below. All items must be new. Used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for -- 1 of 4 -- award. Experimental, prototype, or custom items will not be considered. The use of “gray market” components not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable. All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable. The Contractor shall provide the following one (1) wavelength meter in the near infrared (NIR) frequency range that meets the following minimum specifications: A. High-resolution wavemerer A1. The wavelength meter that operates over a range of at least 630 nm to 1700 nm. A2. The system shall pre-aligned 9/125 μm single-mode fiber with FC/APC optical fiber input connector. A3. Input laser type: CW and pulsed A4. Minimal input optical power: 50 nJ, or less A5. Maximum input optical power: 10 mW (CW) / 0.5 mJ (pulse), or more A6. Input laser light maximum bandwidth (FWHM) shall be 1 GHz or larger. A7. Wavelength measurement accuracy ±0.2 part per million (ppm) fractional wavelength error over the entire operating range; ±60 MHz at 1000 nm, or better. The wavelength meter must reach this accuracy with a warm up period of less than 15 min. A8. The wavelength resolution 0.001 ppm or better, 300 kHz @ 300 THz A9. The wavemeter stability/repeatability over 1 minute shall be better than 3 MHz. A10. The measurement rate of the wavelength meter shall be at least 1 kHz or faster. A11. The wavemeter shall have a built-in PID controller and an automatic internal calibration locked to a known stable frequency. A12. The wavemeter shall come with additional 4-channel optical switch and 4-channel PID controller. A13. The wavelength meter must be able to be controlled through Windows 11 operating system through USB and Ethernet. A14. The software, Labview drivers, and Python scripts, necessary to operate the wavemeter must be included. The software must be compatible with the low-resolution wavemeter. B. Low- resolution wavemeter B1. The wavelength meter that operates over a range of at least 1270 nm to 1680 nm. B2. The system shall pre-aligned 9/125 μm single-mode fiber with FC/APC optical fiber input connector. B3. Input laser type: CW B4. Maximum input optical power: + 10 dBm (displayed level), + 18 dBm (safe level), or larger B5. Input laser light maximum bandwidth (FWHM) shall be 10 GHz or larger. B6. Wavelength measurement accuracy ±0.2 part per million (ppm) fractional wavelength error -- 2 of 4 -- over the entire operating range; ±0.3 pm at 1550 nm, or better. The wavelength meter must reach this accuracy with a warm up period of less than 15 min. B7. The wavelength display resolution 0.01 ppm or better B8. The wavemeter stability/repeatability ±0.03 ppm ((±0.5 pm at 1550 nm) or better. B9. The wavemeter sensitivity should be -30 dBm or better. B10. The measurement rate of the wavelength meter shall be at least 25 Hz or faster. B11. The wavelength meter must be able to be controlled through Windows 11 operating system through USB and Ethernet.\ B12. The software, Labview drivers, and Python scripts, necessary to operate the wavemeter must be included. The software must be compatible with the high-resolution wavemeter. IV. Site Preparation No s…