Name of public contract awarding procedure : “Development and delivery of high-energy diode
pumped amplifiers of nanosecond pulses at 1030 nm with 1 kHz repetition rate”
Technical specifications
1.
Task summary and background
The Contracting authority is undertaking the ELI project with the objective of building a facility using
cutting-edge laser technologies and to implement research and application projects in the field of lasermatter interaction using ultra-short laser pulses at high repetition rates and/or with high energy. Part of
the project realization is the purchase and development of short pulse lasers operating with high pulse
energy and a high repetition rate using diode-pumped technology. In particular, the ELI project is
currently constructing an OPCPA based laser system (L1) designed to generate <20 fs pulses with pulse
energy of around 100 mJ and a high repetition rate of 1 kHz. Apart from the OPCPA, the main
technological challenge is in the construction of the high average power laser generating pulses with
picosecond duration at 515 nm to pump the broadband OPCPA.
1030 nm Front End
Pulsed
Oscillator
CFBG
stretcher
Fiber
amplifiers
Amplifier 1
Pulse
compressor
Amplifier 2
(multipass)
SHG
Picosecond
OPCPA pump
Figure 1: Block diagram showing the main subsystems of the picosecond pump laser system for OPCPA system L1. The L1
system uses two of such identical pump lasers.
UPGRADE option
Figure 1 above shows the block diagram of the picosecond pump laser for one OPCPA amplifier. The
purpose of this public contract is to procure two high average power laser amplifiers (highlighted as
“Amplifier 1” in Figure 1) that will be used as subsystems integrated into two identical pump laser
systems. The integration into the pump lasers will be carried out by the Contacting authority. The
function of the “Amplifier 1” is to amplify frequency chirped pulses stretched to nanosecond pulse
duration in a way that manages the dispersion and the B-integral to allow subsequent compression of
the output pulses to <1.6 ps in a grating-based pulse compressor. The parameters of the stretcher and
the compressor are fixed and described in detail below.
2.
Technical requirements
[RQ1] General requirements
Requirement
Verification method
[RQ1.1] The supplier shall manufacture and deliver two Inspection
identical amplifiers. Hereafter each amplifier is
denoted as “Amplifier 1” with the parameters defined
below.
[RQ1.2] The amplifiers should be physically separate units
capable of separate and independent operation.
[RQ1.3] The technical requirements on the performance of
Simultaneous measurement of required
the “Amplifier 1” described in this section have to be
satisfied simultaneously.
[RQ1.4] Demonstration of “Amplifier
according to specifications.
1”
operation
System operation according to specifications for
performance
[RQ2]
and
functional
[RQ3]
requirements given in this document must be
demonstrated at supplier’s premises prior to
shipment to Contracting Authority with exception of
[RQ2.1.11], [RQ2.6], and [RQ2.12].
System operation according to specifications given in
this document must be demonstrated after
installation at the Contracting Authority´s site in
Prague or Dolní Břežany (site of ELI facility).
parameters.
Report summarizing the achieved
performance and functional parameters
with references to requirements numbers
in the technical specifications (this
document)
Demonstration
Authority’s site.
at
the
Contracting
[RQ1.5] The stability of system performance must be
demonstrated for at least 24 hours of uninterrupted
operation during which the system must satisfy the
General [RQ1] and Performance [RQ2] requirements.
Measurement of performance stability
carried out jointly by the supplier and the
ELI team.
[RQ1.6] “Amplifier 1” must satisfy all performance
requirements when using the input pulse train with
the parameters defined in Table 1.
Measurement of required performance
parameters carried out jointly by the
supplier and the ELI team.
[RQ1.7] Seed input coupling option to the “Amplifier 1”
Written statement from the supplier
either as part of bid or at the latest 6
months after contract signature.
The supplier must select a preferred input coupling
option (either free space or fiber coupling) as defined
in Table 1.
The supplier must notify the contracting authority
about the selected option no later than 6 months
after contract signature.
The supplier must deliver the “Amplifier 1”
compatible with the selected coupling option
according to [RQ1.7.1].
Verification of the system with seed
specifications corresponding to the
coupling choice.
Parameters of input pulse train to “Amplifier 1”
Spectral Peak
1032 nm (ref. vacuum)
Bandwidth (half-maxima)
1029.5nm – 1033.5nm
Repetition Rate
1 kHz or 2 kHz (selected by a pulse picker)
Pulse energy stability
Std. Dev. within 1% of mean pulse energy from
continuous sample of 100,000 pulses.
Pulse energy drift over 8 hours
<1.5% difference in the mean value of any
sample of 100,000 pulses.
Pulse Shape (spatial)
Gaussian (M2 < 1.2)
Polarization
Stretcher parameters:
 Group delay dispersion
 Third order dispersion
 Fourth order dispersion
Free space coupling option:
Pulse Energy
Beam size (1/e2 diameter)
Divergence
Pointing Stability
Drift of beam pointing (over 8 hours)
Fiber coupling option:
Pulse Energy
Fiber connector type
Linearly polarized (better than 1:100)
GDD=+2.68775562x108 fs2
TOD=-4.620957800x109 fs3
FOD=+1.310465455x1011 fs4
Min. 5 μJ , max. 20 μJ
2.8 ± 0.2 mm
Collimated beam
< ±10 Rad measured at 1kHz as rms peak
value over 2s interval
<100 Rad difference in the mean value of any
sample of 2000 pulses over 8 hour period.
Min. 30 nJ , max. 80 nJ
PM980 fiber with FC/APC connector, key
aligned to the slow axis of the fiber
Table 1: Parameters of input pulse train to “Amplifier 1”
[RQ2] Performance requirements
Requirement
[RQ2.1] Parameters of amplified output pulse train:
1030nm +/- 0.8nm
Measurement
with
spectrometer
(overlapping spectra with input spectrum)
1 kHz
Photodiode measurement with sample
beam.
Min. 225 mJ
Direct average power measurement
combined with photodiode measurement
of sample beam.
1.05 nm > Δλ > 1.50 nm
Same as [RQ2.1.1]
Gaussian (M2<1.2)
Measurement with beam profiler
18 mm+/-1.0 mm
Same as [RQ2.1.5]
Central wavelength
Repetition Rate
Full performance
pulse Energy, EF
Pulse
Bandwidth,
(FWHM)
output
Δλ,
Verification method
Beam shape (spatial)
Beam size (1/e2 diameter)
Collimated beam
Divergence
Polarization
Pulse energy stability
Linearly polarized
(better than 1:100)
Std. Dev. within ± 2% of
mean pulse energy
from continuous
sample of 100,000
pulses.
Polarization measurement
Recording of sampled
photodiode energy meter
beam
on
Pulse energy drift over
8 hours
Pointing Stability
<3% difference in the
mean value of any
sample of 100,000
pulses.
< ±30 Rad measured
at 1kHz as rms peak
value over 2s interval
Same as[RQ2.1.3]
Measured using high speed camera or
quadrant photodiode supplied by ELI.
Measurement will be either on the full
beam or on a beam reduced by a 2-lens
telescope.
Practical demonstration
[RQ2.2] Adjustability of pulse energy
The pulse energy on the output of “Amplifier 1” must be
continuously adjustable, ranging from at least 0.01*E F to
1*EF .
The adjustment of output energy must not affect any
other [RQ2] requirements.
The pulse energy must be remotely adjustable via a
computer interface.
The time required for changing the energy over the whole
range (from minimum to maximum value) defined in
[RQ2.2.1] must not exceed 60 seconds.
[RQ2.3] Maximum material dispersion introduced by the
“Amplifier 1”
Verified by calculation
The stretcher and the pulse compressor design is fixed as
well as the material dispersion introduced by other
components of the pump laser (such as fiber amplifiers)
and for this reason the material dispersion of the
“Amplifier 1” must not exceed the following values:
Maximum GDD :
4x105 fs2
Maximum TOD:
1x106 fs3
[RQ2.4] Optical isolation
Manufacturers certificate
“Amplifier 1”must be optically isolated on input with
isolation of at least 30 dB.
[RQ2.5] B-integral
Verified by calculation
The total B-integral introduced by “Amplifier 1” must not
exceed 3.
[RQ2.6] Output pulse jitter
The pump laser will be used for pumping OPCPA with picosecond
pulses and its jitter must be below 100 fs relative to oscillator pulses.
To guarantee such a low jitter the pump laser will include an active
jitter stabilization system that will be constructed by ELI and is not
The output pulse delay is measured
relative to a precise optical train
reference signal that is itself precisely
synchronized with the “Amplifier 1” input
pulse. The measurement will be carried
out using an optical cross-correlator setup
part of this delivery. This jitter stabilization system has a full
correction range of 60 ps and can only generate an error signal within
a range of 2 ps. This places additional requirements on “Amplifier 1”
stability.
The delay between input (seed) and output pulse must be
constant, regardless of the output energy setting as
required in [RQ2.2].
The “Amplifier 1” must be passively stable so that the
delay between input (seed) and output pulses can never
deviate from its design value by more than +/-25 ps under
environmental conditions defined in Requirement [RQ2.9]
below.
The difference between minimum and maximum value of
measured output pulse delays for any 10 subsequent
pulses must not exceed 80 fs.
The difference between minimum and maximum value of
measured output pulse delays for any 100 subsequent
pulses must not exceed 100 fs.
The difference between minimum and maximum value of
measured output pulse delays for any 1000 subsequent
pulses must not exceed 200 fs.
It is required that the supplier delivers the “Amplifier 1”
with means of compensating the fast output pulse jitter
(e.g. using a piezo-mounted mirror) with a magnitude
response of < 3 dB variation and phase margin of > 45
degrees over a bandwidth from 1 Hz to 1 kHz assuming an
ideal including a driver unit controlled with analogue
voltage channel below 200 V peak.
The “Amplifier 1” solution must include a precision
motorized delay line with a minimum step resolution of
50 μm to allow external control of the output pulse delay
over at least 60 ps range. This translation stage will be
used to make coarse adjustments to the output pulse
delay and will be used in a closed-loop delay stabilization
system;
Cable feedthroughs necessary for the motor operation of
the delay line [RQ2.6.7] and for the operation of fast
compensation [RQ2.6.6] must be provided.
The compensation of the output pulse jitter over the
range of at least 250 fs using the means of compensation
described in [RQ2.6.6] must not affect the required
performance parameters of the laser (such as energy
stability, pointing stability etc.).
provided by ELI at the time of installation.
The compensation of the output pulse delay over
the range of at least 60 ps using the means of
compensation described in [RQ2.6.7] must not affect the
required performance parameters of the laser (such as
energy stability, pointing stability etc.).
[RQ2.7] External trigger
Practical demonstration
The operation of “Amplifier 1” must be externally
synchronized.
The external trigger input channels on “Amplifier 1” must
be compatible with low-voltage TTL (3.3V) standard with
high voltage-level at least 2.0 Volts at 50 Ohm load
guaranteed.
The external trigger signals for the system will be provided by ELI.
These
trigger
channels
are
available
three
types:
1) Type 1: delay and pulse width adjustable in 8.333 ns steps
Practical
demonstration
Electronic Timing System
with
ELI
System documentation
2) Type 2: delay adjustable in 8.333 ns steps; pulse width adjustable in
15 ps steps
3) Type 3: delay and pulse width adjustable in 15 ps steps
The supplier must specify the number of each type
trigger signals required for the operation of the “Amplifier 1”
system.
Inspection
Total number of independent external triggers required
for its operation (including diagnostics) must not exceed
six.
[RQ2.8] Dimensions
Inspection
The size of the “Amplifier 1” on the optical table must not
exceed either 1500 mm x 1400 mm or 3000 mm x 700
mm.
The height of “amplifier 1” above optical table must not
exceed 800 mm
The total size of the auxiliary systems (cooling, power
supplies etc.) for one “Amplifier 1” must not exceed a
footprint of 1000x1400 mm and height of 2300 mm.
The length of umbilical cable and water hose connections
between the auxiliary systems and the “Amplifier 1” unit
on the optical table must be at least 5 m.
[RQ2.9] Cooling
One “Amplifier 1” system can dissipate a maximum of 500
W of heat into air including the heat generated by any
Qualified estimate based on system
architecture as sum of heat dissipated to
air by all subsystems.
support systems delivered with the “Amplifier 1”.
Inspection of installed system
Any additional heat should be dissipated through a closed
loop water cooling circuit. External cooling primary water
will be supplied by ELI-Beamlines with the following
parameters:
water temperature range 12-21°C
-
tap water quality (<50 µm filtered; 200mg/Liter
chlorine concentration)
-
max. 10L/min max 5 bar
The interface for the external cooling primary water must
be at a single point from a distribution panel delivered
with “Amplifier 1”.
[RQ2.10]
Environmental requirements
Verified by operating the “Amplifier 1”
under those environmental conditions.
“Amplifier 1” must be designed for and capable of
long term operation in cleanroom environment class
10,000 (ISO7) at temperature of 21°C with long term
stability ±0,5°C and humidity 40-60% RH
The supplier can demonstrate the operation of
“Amplifier 1” for the purpose of its performance
acceptance under environmental conditions that are
worse, in terms of cleanliness, temperature stability or
humidity, then those described in point [RQ2.10.1].,
providing that the fulfilment of the technical
requirements on the “Amplifier 1” performance can be
demonstrated.
[RQ2.11]
Electrical power requirements
Inspection and measurement
Each “Amplifier 1” must be able to operate from
single 400 V /50 Hz 3-phase socket with 32 A circuit
breaker with overcurrent delay of 2 sec.
Total average electrical power consumption
including support system delivered with the “Amplifier 1”
must not exceed 20 kW during full power operation.
[RQ2.12]
Noise emission
“Amplifier 1” must be designed and constructed in
such a way that the emission of the airborne noise is
minimized.
The airborne noise emission of the “Amplifer 1”
including all auxiliary systems (with covers closed) must
not exceed 68dB(A).
Sensory verification or measurement, if
requested by the Contracting Authority.
[RQ3] Functional requirements
Requirement
[RQ3.1] Control system & interlocks (hardware)
Verification method
Inspection
The “Amplifier 1” system must include personal
protection interlock (including remote interlock
connector and key operated master control) and basic
machine safety interlocks to prevent damage to the
major components of the system.
The machine protection must be implemented on the
pump source (e.g pump diodes) to prevent overheating
of the pump source or damage to the amplifier medium.
If any of the following subsystems are used in “Amplifier
1” and are not fully integrated into the control system
interface [RQ3.2] they must allow remote monitoring and
control via a computer interface (either Ethernet or
RS232) and be supplied with full interface
documentation:
a) Laser diodes (incl. power supply)
b) Cooling units and temperature stabilization units
c) Vacuum systems
In addition to computer interface to subsystems
according to [RQ3.1.3], a physical interface using zeropotential (dry) contacts is required in form:
1. two normally closed contacts – allowing interlock
trip by external device;
2. Two normally-open contacts – allowing
monitoring of interlock state by external device.
[RQ3.2] Control system interface (software)
Operation of the “Amplifier 1” must be demonstrated
with use of a simple control system including a GUI-panel.
The parts of the control system that are necessary for
integration of the “Amplifier 1” control and diagnostics to
a higher level control system must be developed using
either NI Labview or EPICS software.
The source code of the parts of the control system
software that are necessary for integration of the
“Amplifier 1” control and diagnostics to a higher level
system must be made available to the Contracting
Authority.
The “Amplifier 1” control system must utilize the
subsystem interfaces according to [RQ3.1.3].
The control system must include diagnostic and
monitoring functionality of the “Amplifier 1”.
Inspection and practical demonstration
The control system must provide overview of operational
parameters, operational limits and alarms when the limits
are crossed.
Demonstrated control system must not include any thirdparty closed-source or proprietary routines which can’t
be retrieved later using open-source or Labview SW
licenses.
[RQ3.3] Diagnostics
Inspection and practical demonstration
The control system [RQ3.2] must monitor at least the
following laser parameters:
a) Output power/energy with resolution
corresponding to <1% of maximum
amplifier power-energy;
b) Temperature and flow of water in cooled
devices critical for the “Amplifier 1”
operation (temperature measured to
precision of 0.2 degree C and flow
measured to precision of 0.1 L/min);
c) Pump laser diode operating parameters –
resolution of the measurement of either
diode current though diodes or optical
output power must be <2% of maximum
range.
[RQ3.4] Use Counter
Inspection
The “Amplifier 1” must include a counter indicating the
number of hours the system has been in operation at
>10% the nominal output power of the pump diodes.
[RQ4] Operational requirements
[RQ4.1] Documentation + extend of documentation.
A System manual which outlines the “Amplifier 1”
operation, maintenance (full alignment procedure,
cleaning of components etc.), and troubleshooting, as
well as manuals for all 3rd party components in the
system (i.e. chillers, oscilloscopes) must be provided at
time of installation.
The extend of and the detail of documentation must be
sufficient to allow user servicing and troubleshooting of
the system.
The documentation must describe the content of the
servicing performed by the user [RQ4.4.1] and content of
Inspection by contracting authority
the servicing performed by the service engineer [RQ4.4.2]
All documentation must be delivered in hardcopy and
digital format (pdf or MS Word format)
All documentation must be in English or Czech language.
[RQ4.2] Warm-up time
Warm up time for the system to reach all required
parameters from powered down state must not exceed
30 minutes.
[RQ4.3] Reliablity
The “Amplifier 1” will be used within the ELI project as a part of the
laser facility used for scheduled user experiments. This places
stringent requirements on its reliability.
Monitoring of output parameters listed
[RQ2.1] from powered down state for
period of up to 30 minutes. Throughout
the measurement the input pulse train will
be supplied by the Contracting Authority
as defined in Table 1: Parameters of input
pulse train to “Amplifier 1”.
Evaluation of proposal by Contracting
Authority
The bid documents describing the proposed “Amplifier 1”
must include a separate chapter addressing the quality of
engineering and the projected system reliability in
sufficient detail to allow independent evaluation of the
system reliability by an expert in pulsed laser engineering.
The “Amplifier 1” must be designed in such a way that
the lifetime of all major subsystems (with the exception
of the pump diode modules) can be reasonably expected
to exceed 10 years or 20,000 hours of operation
(whichever comes earlier).
The lifetime of the diode pump modules must exceed
20,000 hours. Lifetime is defined by the point when the
output is reduced by >10% from its nominal value.
The “Amplifier 1” must be capable of maintaining all
performance requirements [RQ2] even after a loss of
single defect pump diode.
Practical demonstration
The “Amplifier 1” must be capable of maintaining all
performance requirements [RQ2] even when the output
of the diode pump modules is reduced by 10% from its
nominal value.
The supplier must specify in the bid documentation a list
of components and subsystems that have expected
lifetime shorter than specified in [RQ4.3.2] and these will
be considered as “consumables”.
The list of “consumables” as defined in [RQ4.3.6] must
include for each “consumable” part name, part number,
manufacturer, expected lifetime, and a maximum price
guaranteed for a period of 24 months.
Inspection
of
documentation
the
tender
bid
Inspection
of
documentation
the
tender
bid
[RQ4.4] Servicing: the “Amplifier 1” must be designed in such
a way that
Inspection of documentation provided
under [RQ4.4.5] by the Contracting
Authority.
the operation of the “Amplifier 1” must not require any
regular servicing or maintenance (such as changing filters
for example) performed by the user with higher
frequency than once every 30 days or after less than 300
hrs of operation;
the service intervals performed by service engineer
authorized by the manufacturer must not be required
more frequently than once every 12 months;
the time required for scheduled user servicing [RQ4.4.1]
must not exceed 4 hours;
Practical demonstration of one type of
user servicing selected by the Contracting
Authority and performed during user
training [RQ4.8]
the time required for scheduled servicing [RQ4.4.2] must
not exceed 8 hours;
Inspection of documentation
The documentation delivered with the “Amplifier 1” must
include a table clearly specifying recommended service
and maintenance intervals.
[RQ4.5] Replacement of parts
All optical components of the “Amplifer 1”, including the
active medium, must be manufactured with such exact
tolerances that replacement of any optical component
will not affect the system performance which must
remain as defined in [RQ2] after the component
replacement.
Practical demonstration after installation
on two components selected by the
Contracting Authority
The time required for replacement of any optical
component [RQ4.5.1] must not exceed 4 hours;
[RQ4.6] Spare parts availability
Contractual commitment
The supplier must guarantee the availability of all spare
parts (or their equivalents) for a minimum period of 5
years starting from the date the “Amplifier 1” has been
accepted by the Contracting Authority.
Any spare part for the “Amplifier 1” must be available to
be delivered within maximum of 5 working days.
The supplier must describe in the tender bid
documentation what measures he is taking to be
compliant with [RQ4.6.1] and [RQ4.6.2].
[RQ4.7] Delivery and Installation by supplier
The supplier must be responsible for the following:
Assessment of tender bid documentation
by the Contracting Authority.
Verification of system readiness at a site
of delivery designated in [RQ4.7.1] for
verification
of
all
performance
parameters.
Delivery of the “Amplifier 1” and all its subsystems to the
site in Prague or Dolni Brezany designated by contracting
authority;
Unpacking and visual inspection on delivery;
Full Installation at a site of delivery designated in
[RQ4.7.1].
[RQ4.8] Training of users
Completion of training
Training regarding the system operation and basic
maintenance (alignment, cleaning, etc) for 2 ELI
employees must be provided after installation.
The duration of the training [RQ4.8.1] must be at least 5
working days.
[RQ4.9] Handling and transport procedures
“Amplifier 1” system will be transported at least once between
cleanroom laboratories located in different buildings, where it will be
re-installed by the user.
Inspection by the contracting Authority of
the supplied documents
The system must be supplied with a document specifying
detailed procedures for correct packing, transport,
handling, storage and re-installation of Amplifier 1 and all
its subsystems.
Following the written procedures of [RQ4.9.1] must
guarantee the “Amplifier 1” performance after reinstallation.
[RQ4.10]
System warranty
Contractual liability
The supplier must guarantee that all optical
components will be free from defects for a minimum
period of 90 days after system acceptance.
The supplier must guarantee that all non-optical
components and subsystems of “Amplifier 1” (with the
exception of laser diode modules) will be free from
defects for a minimum period of 24 months.
The supplier must guarantee that the laser diodes
will operate within 90% of its nominal output value for
the period of at least 50% of the nominal lifetime
[RQ4.3.3].
The warranty on all spare parts must be the same as
defined by the manufacturer, but the minimum warranty
period must be the same as required in [RQ4.10.1],
[RQ4.10.2], [RQ4.10.3] depending on type of component.
[RQ4.11]
Damage protection
System
inspection;
practical
The “Amplifier 1” must be fully enclosed to protect
it from accidental damage e.g. by small falling objects.
The “Amplifier 1” enclosure must be designed in
such a way that the no damage to equipment or injury
can be caused by regular opening of the enclosure.
The “Amplifier 1” must be designed in such a way
that accidental blockage of the input pulse or the whole
pulse train (Table 1) can’t cause any damage to the
system.
There must be no laser beam emission on the
“Amplifier 1” output when the input pulse train is
blocked.
demonstration