JPL, Attn: Thomas May, Mail Stop 190-205, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109-8099

A -- JPL SEEKS Q-SWITCHED DIODE-PUMPED LASER SOL 97/24 DUE 121997 POC Kirk D. Bilby (818) 354-7332; (818) 393-4168 (FAX) E-MAIL: CBD re: Laser for X2000, kirk.d.bilby@jpl.nasa.gov. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (JPL/Caltech), operating under a prime contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is actively seeking a Contractor to provide a Q-Switched Diode-Pumped Laser in support of the development of a free-space laser communication system for NASA's X2000 Spacecraft Technology Development Program. The laser transmitters shall be integrated with optical-communication terminals for operational free-space communication from a given spacecraft in deep space. The Q-switched lasers operating in the one (1) micron wavelength range will have an average power of greater than three (3) watt. The laser pulse-width shall not exceed twenty (20) nano-seconds over the pulse repetition frequency of 10 to 46 kilo-hertz. Excluding the power consumption for thermal management, an overall electrical-to-optical efficiency of greater than fourteen percent (14%) is required. Small mass (one kilogram scale, not including radiation shielding)and highly compact size and reliability are of utmost importance. The lasers shall be radiation tolerant and have an operational lifetime of greater than one (1) year and shelf life of as much as ten (10) years. Interested Contractors are asked to provide white papers describing both new designs, and modifications to existing proven laser designs (commercial or non-commercial) which can meet or exceed the above requirements. The development effort will be a multi-step process. JPL will acquire either an engineering model or a commercial off-the-shelf model similar to the above laser. This will be followed by the delivery of four (4) flight models to JPL specifications. These models will either have to be space-qualified (tested to meet the requirements of flying in deep space) or currently be space-qualified. Interested organizations (teaming is encouraged) should provide a brief statement of their capability and interest on space-qualification and lightweight packaging of diode-pumped lasers for spacecraft use. Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) should be received no later than December 19, 1997 in order to be included on the JPL bidder's list and addressed to: JPL, Attn: Kirk D. Bilby, Mail Stop 190-220, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099; FAX (818) 393-4168; or via the Internet to: Kirk.D.Bilby@jpl.nasa.gov. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). (0322)

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