ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO10085
Open Date: 08/06/2020
Closing Date: 04/08/2020 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 19.164.10
Prog. Ref.: CTP – IPTF
Budget Ref.: E/0401-01H – CTP – IPTF
Special Prov.: IE
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / Electronics / EEE Components / Optoelectronic Devices (including opto-couplers, LED, CCDs, displays, sensors) / Satellites & Probes / Optical Communication / Optical Comm ¿ BB / Laser sources, modulators
Technology Domains: Optoelectronics / Laser Technologies / Laser Sources / Optoelectronics / Laser Technologies / Laser Frequency Control and Stabilisation / Optics / Optical Equipment and Instrument Technology / Laser Ranging and Imaging, Lidars and Altimeters / Optics / Optical Equipment and Instrument Technology / High-Precision Optical Metrology / Optics / Optical Equipment and Instrument Technology / Optical Communications
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Science
Department: Future Missions Department
Contract Officer: Weihert, Beatrice
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 08/06/2020
Update Reason: Tender issue

The LISA space-borne interferometric gravitational wave observatory mission requires a laser system operating at 1064 nm with exceptional performance requirements which must be met over the entire mission lifetime. The output power, frequency and power noise as well as sideband phase fidelity are of the particular criticality. The master oscillator which is the source of the laser system light is a critical aspect of the system.ESA is investigating a number of technologies for use as the master oscillator of the LISA laser system. One candidate technology is based on a novel miniaturised semiconductor and whispering gallery mode technology. This technology has been subject to preliminary performance testing in the context of the LISA mission and has demonstrated excellent performance in the laboratory environment. This activity will further develop this technology yielding prototype devices which will be space packaged and subjected to environmental testing.