Two Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors (SNSPDs) for Quantum Networking Metrology

Introduction

This is a notice of intent, not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued, and quotations will not be requested.

Purpose

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate a firm-fixed priced purchase order on a sole source basis with Quantum Opus, LLC, located at 14841 Keel St, Plymouth, MI 48170. The purchase order will specifically procure two Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors (SNSPDs) for Quantum Networking Metrology, manufactured by Quantum Opus, LLC. Delivery of the SNSPDs shall occur within six (6) weeks after receipt of an order.

Authority

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of, and in accordance with, FAR RFO Part 12.102(a) and 41 USC 1901, allowing the Contracting Officer (CO) to solicit from one source. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334419 – Other Electronic Component Manufacturing with a small business size standard of 750 employees.

Description

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Quantum Information Group applies expertise in mathematical subdisciplines such as combinatorics, graph theory, network science, operations research, optimization, discrete nonlinear dynamics, computational geometry, quantum mechanics, and information theory. Researchers apply their knowledge and skills in areas such as experimental quantum optics, fundamental models of physics, chemistry, biology, and information systems, complex systems analysis, pattern recognition, and quantum computing and communications. In collaboration with NIST and outside scientists, the group develops, analyzes, and applies related mathematical and experimental methods and tools for critical problems of measurement science at NIST, and develops mathematical foundations for the measurement science of information systems.

The purpose of this acquisition is to obtain two (2) Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPDs) for Quantum Networking Metrology, manufactured by Quantum Opus. The SNSPDs will be installed by Quantum Opus into our existing 2.2 K moveable cryostats, which were manufactured by Quantum Opus, LLC. One SNSPD will be installed in each of the two existing cryostats. The detectors will serve to detect 795 nm photons from a Rubidium vapor source, ultimately allowing entanglement swapping demonstrations in the Washington Metropolitan Quantum Network Research Consortium (DC-Qnet).

Technical Specifications: The contractor shall provide two SNSPDs in accordance with the following Technical Specifications as the minimum requirements:

• SNSPDs shall operate and plateau at a cryostat temperature of 2.2 K.

• System detection efficiency of at least 90 % at 780 nm.

• Dark count rates less than 100/sec

• SNSPDs shall be fiber coupled 780HP fiber with E2000 connector.

• Timing jitter shall be less than 20 ps full-width-half-maximum (FWHM).

• Capable of being fitted into existing Quantum Opus cryostats.

• Existing cryostats shall be upgraded with the latest Biasing and Amplification electronics to optimize integration with the 2 SNSPDs

Sole Source Determination

The sole source determination is based on the following:

NIST requires the SNSPDs manufactured by Quantum Opus for purposes of continuity of science and compatibility with existing equipment and previous research results. Without the subject supply, NIST would not be able to further its quantum networking measurement capabilities with the DC-QNet and other collaborative efforts. The SNSPDs will run continuous operations of single photon detection without interruption. Without this capability, NIST research will be severely impacted and risk not obtaining single-photon measurements. In order to develop the necessary metrology to enable complex quantum networks, SNSPDs need to be compatible with existing cryostats manufactured by Quantum Opus, LLC and to further the continuity of science.

Information for Interested Parties

Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing by or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is NOT a solicitation.

Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Hunter Tjugum, Contract Specialist, at Hunter.Tjugum@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted via email to hunter.tjugum@nist.gov so that they are received not later than 12:00 PM, Eastern Time, on the 15th day following release of this notice, excluding holidays.

Each response should include the following Business Information:

a. Contractor Name, Address,

b. Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email address

c. Contractor (SAM) Universal Entity Identification (UEI)

d. Contractor Business Classification (i.e., small business, 8(a), woman owned, HUBZone, veteran owned, etc.) as validated in System for Award Management (SAM). All offerors must have an active registration in www.SAM.gov.

e. Capability Statement