---
title: "IR Laser System for generating tuneable wavelength of light between 1.5 - 3.5 um"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-049aaa"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-049aaa"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-049aaa.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-049aaa.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY"
published: "2024-09-13"
---

# IR Laser System for generating tuneable wavelength of light between 1.5 - 3.5 um

Buyer: NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-049aaa

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## Summary

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has successfully completed the procurement process for a new and upgraded IR laser system capable of generating a tuneable wavelength of light between 1.5 – 3.5 µm. This procurement, classified under the industry category "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excluding glasses)," involved the acquisition of advanced laser equipment to replace an ageing unit at the NPL facility in Teddington, UK. The contract, valued at £321,995.00 GBP, was awarded to Photonic Solutions Ltd, signifying a robust procurement method without prior publication due to the specialized nature of the requirement. The contract was signed on 12 September 2024, following an award procedure that recognised the critical need for a highly specific and technically demanding laser system.

This procurement represents a significant opportunity for businesses specializing in advanced photonics and laser technology. Companies capable of producing high-precision optical equipment with narrow linewidth and short nanosecond pulse durations could potentially thrive in this market. Such enterprises should particularly target sectors requiring highly tunable laser systems for scientific research and precise measurement applications. Firms that can offer comprehensive maintenance and support services for these sophisticated systems will find valuable business growth opportunities, given the ongoing requirement for high standards of technical support and after-sales service stipulated by NPL.

## Notice

The DIAL team are looking to procure a new and upgraded IR laser system to replace their aging unit. The pump laser will be a seeded flashlamp pumped laser with pulse duration of 9 ns and line width 0.003 cm-1, it will be capable of simultaneously emit the fundamental and second harmonic at a repetition rate of 20 Hz. The pulse energy in the IR should be around 700 mJ and 400 mJ in the green. The system needs to be capable of outputting a total wavelength range between 1.5 - 3.5 um. Obtaining the tuneability utilising a dye laser and a two-stage non-linear mixing component. The system should be designed in such a way that the wavelength can be switched between two wavelengths at a frequency of greater than (or equal to) 5 Hz. Any wavelength drift must be minimal and easily corrected by a competent operator. The system should be fully integrated, and installed subject to a site acceptance test at NPL's facility. NPL expect the system to be maintained by the supplier on an ad hoc basis and serviced by the supplier annually.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The DIAL team are looking to procure a new and upgraded IR laser system to replace their aging unit. The pump laser will be a seeded flashlamp pumped laser with pulse duration of 9 ns and line width 0.003 cm-1, it will be capable of simultaneously emit the fundamental and second harmonic at a repetition rate of 20 Hz. The pulse energy in the IR should be around 700 mJ and 400 mJ in the green. The system needs to be capable of outputting a total wavelength range between 1.5 - 3.5 um. Obtaining the tuneability utilising a dye laser and a two-stage non-linear mixing component. The system should be designed in such a way that the wavelength can be switched between two wavelengths at a frequency of greater than (or equal to) 5 Hz. Any wavelength drift must be minimal and easily corrected by a competent operator. The system should be fully integrated, and installed subject to a site acceptance test at NPL's facility. NPL expect the system to be maintained by the supplier on an ad hoc basis and serviced by the supplier annually. Requirement is for one unit inclusive of Installation and after sale support.

### Procurement Information

A robust tuneable mid-IR laser for this application (DIAL) are very challenging to produce. The number of non-linear stages result in lots of loss of energy. Starting from 700 mJ of 1064 nm and 400 mJ of 532 nm, resulting in just 14 mJ of useable 3.4 um energy for measuring methane. Coupled with the requirement of the narrow linewidth and short nanosecond pulse excludes many mid-IR laser sources. The DIAL requires selectivity between two closely separated wavelengths, one which is tuned the target species absorption peak and another which is not absorbed by the species. The DIAL technique requires oscillation between the on and off resonant wavelength and is achieved in the current IR laser system on alternate shots. Furthermore, the DIAL requires the ability to measure multiple hydrocarbon species including CH4, C2H6, CO2, and VOCs, so a platform which allows tuning over a broad wavelength region is required. Both features are achieved using a dye laser for the broad tuneability with a piezo actuator in the resonator for the on and off selectivity. Photonic Solutions are the only supplier for a complete system which meets the specification therefore competition is absent in the market.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029369-2024 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Sep 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 Sep 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £321,995 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY |
| Locality | TEDDINGTON |
| Post town | Twickenham |
| Postcode | TW11 0LW |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI7 Outer London - West and North West |
| ITL 3 | TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames |
| Local authority | Richmond upon Thames |
| Electoral ward | Teddington |
| Westminster constituency | Twickenham |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | PHOTONIC SOLUTIONS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

### Codes

- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

## Release History

- 13 Sep 2024 at 10:56 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029369-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.npl.co.uk

## Provenance

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