Szegedi Tudományegyetem - Ahol tudás és szándék találkozik

Offer No: SZTE/2012/PSZ0046

Deadline for submission of offers: 20.02.2012 (15.00 pm)

Short specification of product:

Research and development of electrode shapes optimized for short-pulse, UV preionized KrF amplifiers of homogeneous excitation and of large cross-section

(providing 2 discharge-pumped, UV preionized test laser systems with optimized electrodes and preionization) (TÁMOP-4.2.1/B-09/1/KONV-2010-0005 Project)

One of the most important figure of merits of short-pulse excimer amplifiers is the so called momentarily-stored energy ε_m = ε_sat g l A, where ε_sat is the saturation energy density, g is the gain coefficient, l and A are the length and cross-section of the active medium, respectively. For most practical cases ε_m, however, ε_m is only a small fraction of the overall optical energy (ε) expressed by the ε_m/ε ≈ τ/T equation (where τ is the storage time of excimers, T is the pumping time).

When developing charging schemes ideally suited for short-pulse excimer amplifiers, the great challenge is to minimize the pumping time (T) and to maximize ε_m. Since gl is limited by the amplified spontaneous emission, for a given value of ε_sat, the latter requirement is equivalent to maximize the cross-section (A). On the other hand this cross-section has to be pumped as homogenously as possible to get uniform beam distribution and minimum phase distortion.

Electron beam pumping is suitable for homogenous pumping of large cross-sections, however at the expense of increased complexity, operational cost, reduced lifetime and repetition rate. From these points of view discharge pumping is much more favourable and can realize the shortest pumping times, however the maximum – homogeneously pumped – cross section is limited and has proven to be critically dependent on the pumping conditions, including the pumping geometry (geometry of preionization and of the electric field).

Former extensive research and development activity was concentrated on the optimization of the preionization and of the pumping electric pulse (to minimize optical distortion and filamentation of the discharge). Since the normally used off-axis amplification relaxes the requirements for the homogeneity of the active medium, less emphasis was put on the cross-sectional homogeneity of the energy deposition in the discharge. Later considerations proved, that homogeneous energy deposition is also important when the spatially integrating off-axis amplification scheme is used; since homogeneous excitation is the only way to reach the maximum gl product over large cross-section (A), which determines the momentarily stored energy (ε_m).

Spatial distribution of the energy deposition in the discharge is primarily dependent on the distribution of the electric field between the electrodes, which is determined mainly by the shape of the electrodes, and also influenced by the surrounding charging circuit and by the dynamic effect of the magnetic field. In case of the practically preferred UV spark-preionization, the energy deposition is strongly modified by the spatially different level of preionization intensity, since the absorption length of preionization is comparable to or less than the size of the discharge section.

These “modifying” effects must be considered in UV preionized, fast, discharge pumped lasers, by applying special electrode shapes. It means, that for the realization of homogeneous energy deposition it is not enough to apply electrodes having a shape of producing homogeneous (static) electric field, but the electrode shape must be optimized through successive experimental study of the homogeneity of the discharge (which includes the hardly predictable effect of inhomogeneous UV preionization, the influence of the outer charging circuit and of the time dependent magnetic field).

Such a procedure is expensive and time consuming, unless some electrodes – of experimentally proven shapes – are available. It is known, that many, already existing excimer gain modules of limited discharge cross sections use UV spark preionization, where the former considerations/optimizations procedures are already made. The availability of such electrodes allows to measure simultaneously their shapes and the resulting spatial profile of the discharge. From these results – by applying some scaling procedures – homogeneous discharges of larger cross sections can be realized. This procedure is less expensive and expected to be realizable in a much shorter time compared to the other ways.

Requirements for tenderers:

The institute performing the above research and development activity is expected to have all laser components (electrodes, pre-ionization pins, suitable laser chambers, power supplies etc.) required for the study. Moreover, the institute should have the necessary expertise in laser development and its infrastructure should be suitable for the measurement of the homogeneity and the momentarily stored energy of fast discharges. The main goal of this research and development is to identify optimized operational conditions resulting in homogeneous discharges of large cross-section, and consequently high storage capacity supporting laser output energies in the range of 10-50 mJ, which can be scaled up to even higher energies. Furthermore the operation of these optimized discharges should be proven/demonstrated in two different cross-section ranges (~2cm² and ~5cm²) on two test laser systems provided by the institute.

Method of certification: Tenderers should state – in a simple statement – that they meet the above eligibility requirements.

The expenses of the purchase will be covered by TAMOP 4.2.1/B-09/1/KONV-2010-0005 Project 

Billing address:

University of Szeged

Dugonics tér 13, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary

Evaluation principles: the lowest price. Please indicate the total price including all the expenses.

Payment terms: payment of total price by transmittance within 30 days

Offers can be sumbitted: 1 original copy to be sent by mail to the address of University of Szeged, Directorate of Finance and Engineering (Szentháromság u. 34., IIIrd floor, office No. 35., H-6722 Szeged, Hungary) or in e-mail to the following e-mail address: kuczora.attila@gmf.u-szeged.hu in PDF file

On the envelope and in the heading of the documantation please indicate the Offer Number.

For further information please turn to the following contact persons:

Kálmán Ifkovics Head of Department e-mail: ifkovics.kalman@gmf.u-szeged.hu

Daniella Ashe technical support expphys@physx.u-szeged.hu

Attention!

The applicant has to attach the following statements.

Annex 1

Contractor’s declaration on conflict of interest and the conditions of fulfilment

I, (...), the undersigned, the representative of (...) hereby declare that no conflict of interest arises from the research and development contract of (...) concerning (...) entered into by and between the Company I represent and the University of Szeged, i.e.

• through the fulfilment of the Company’s obligations no management (supervisory), control or accounting relationship shall be established between employees of the Company and their close relatives employed by the University of Szeged (for the definition of close relatives Article 294 para 1 b) of the Labour Code shall be applicable), and
  
• no officers or members of the supervisory board of the company are employees of the University of Szeged, or if they are, they have the University’s prior written consent to enter into employment at the Company.
  

I declare moreover that the Company possesses all necessary resources, technology, tools and instruments to fulfil the research task defined in the present contract, but if any of the above is not available at the Company in part or in whole, the Company shall not lease it from the University of Szeged.

Dated, signature

Annex 2

Dean’s declaration on the grounds of the research and development contract

I, (...) the undersigned, Dean of the Faculty of (...) hereby declare that the research and development contract of (...) concerning (...) entered into by and between (...) and the University of Szeged is appropriate, since the capacity / competence / tool, instrument (underline relevant) necessary for the timely and proper fulfilment of the task defined in the present contract is not available at the units of our Faculty.

Dated, signature

The official language of the procedure is Hungarian, but offers can also be submitted in English language. The Inviting Authority expects offers from suppliers that can guarantee a prompt delivery and have a stable financial background. The Inviting Authority reserves the right to request further information from candidates within 5 working days in writing . Request for further information will be sent to each candidate with a valid offer. Following the submission deadline, the Inviting Authority evaluates the offers and candidates are informed on the result with the least possible delay.

The Inviting Authority reserves the right to cancel the above offer procedure fully or partially, without any justification. The Inviting Authority is not liable for consequences resulted by the withdrawal.

This call for proposal is not to be considered as a contractual commitment undertaken by the Inviting Authority. The call and the full procedure are subject to the Inviting Authority’s internal regulations.