Bristol 871A User Manual
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Bristol 871A User Manual

Laser wavelength meter
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M
871A
ODEL
L
W
M
ASER
AVELENGTH
ETER
4/18/2018
USER'S MANUAL

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Summary of Contents for Bristol 871A

  • Page 1 871A ODEL ASER AVELENGTH ETER 4/18/2018 USER’S MANUAL...
  • Page 2 The information contained in this publication is subject to change without notice.  2018 Bristol Instruments, Inc.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................4 Welcome ..........................4 Safety Notices ........................4 General Safety Considerations ..................... 5 Inspection ..........................6 INITIAL INSTRUMENT SETUP .................... 7 General ..........................7 Power Supply Connections ....................7 Signal Output Connections ....................8 Software Installation......................9 LASER INPUT........................

  • Page 4: Introduction

    Thank you for purchasing the 871 Series Laser Wavelength Meter from Bristol Instruments. The model 871A measures absolute laser wavelength to an accuracy of ± 0.2 parts per million, and is available for operation over the wavelength ranges of 375 – 1100 nm (VIS version) and 630 –...

  • Page 5: General Safety Considerations

    Failure to take this precaution can permanently damage your eyesight. No user serviceable parts are inside. Refer servicing to Bristol Instruments or its representatives only. To prevent electrical shock, do not remove covers. To prevent electrical shock, disconnect this instrument from mains before cleaning.

  • Page 6: Inspection

    If the shipping carton is not damaged, carefully remove and identify all of the components listed below. Contact Bristol Instruments or your local representative if any of the components are missing. We recommend that you save the shipping carton for future storage or transportation.

  • Page 7: Initial Instrument Setup

    Model 871A User’s Manual INITIAL INSTRUMENT SETUP INITIAL INSTRUMENT SETUP General Place the 871 Laser Wavelength Meter on a firm horizontal surface. Make sure that there is at least 2 inches (50 mm) of clearance on all sides of the instrument to allow for ventilation.

  • Page 8: Signal Output Connections

    Model 871A User’s Manual INITIAL INSTRUMENT SETUP Verify that the line power meets the requirements shown below. • 95 to 260 VAC • 47 to 63 Hz • Protective Ground Connect the line-power cord to the power input connector on the instrument’s back panel (Figure 2.1).

  • Page 9: Software Installation

    Start Menu (or Application Menu) of the PC. Click on this icon to open the application. Navigate to the “Help” menu and select “Model 871A User’s Manual” to download a PDF file of the 871A system’s User’s Manual (this file) from Bristol Instruments’...

  • Page 10: Laser Input

    Model 871A User’s Manual LASER INPUT LASER INPUT Fiber-Optic Laser Input Never inspect or clean a fiber-optic cable without first disconnecting the entire cable assembly from the optical source. Failure to take this precaution can permanently damage your eyesight. Use care in handling fiber-optic connectors. Always clean the fiber end prior to insertion into the instrument’s fiber-optic connector for optimum performance.

  • Page 11: Free-Beam Laser Input

    Model 871A User’s Manual LASER INPUT Ensure that all fiber-optic connectors are clean and dry. The 871 system is shipped with a fiber cleaning kit consisting of a package of connector cleaning sticks, clean wipes, and fiber-optic splice & connector cleaner spray. See Appendix F for cleaning instructions.
  • Page 12 If the laser under test has a free space beam, it must be launched into a fiber-optic patchcord for entry into the 871 Laser Wavelength Meter. The BC-1 Fiber-Optic Input Coupler offered by Bristol Instruments is a convenient method of doing this. (1) Install the BC-1 coupler in any two-axis (Θ-Φ) adjustable optical mount that can accommodate a 1 inch (25.4 mm) diameter optic.

  • Page 13: Using The Laser Wavelength Meter

    871 system and to a USB port on the PC. Start the NuView software by clicking on its icon. The NuView software will display the Bristol Instruments logo before any instrument is connected (Figure 4.1) Figure 4.1: Start-Up Screen Open the Instrument Menu and select Connect.

  • Page 14: Wavelength Screen

    Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER Wavelength Screen The Wavelength Screen of the NuView software displays the absolute wavelength, wavenumber, or frequency of the laser under test. Once the application is connected to the instrument, the Wavelength display will update continuously until the connection is terminated.

  • Page 15: Trend Screen

    Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER Trend Screen Figure 4.4: Trend Screen Measure/Pause Selecting the Measure button (left) initiates data collection. After the Measure button is selected, it changes its appearance to the Pause button (middle). The Trend Graph and Data Table are updated continuously until the Pause button is selected.
  • Page 16 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER Data Table The Data Table provides current and trending information about the laser’s wavelength, wavenumber, or frequency. The first column of the Data Table provides laser drift information. This column displays the current measurement (Current), the first measurement taken after the Trend Graph is started/reset (Start), and the difference between the Current and Start measurements (Drift).

  • Page 17: Pid Controller Screen

    Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER PID Controller Screen Figure 4.5: PID Controller Screen The PID Controller Screen displays the settings for the 871-system’s internal PID controller and reports the most recent wavelength reading and output voltage supplied through the Analog Out BNC connector on the back panel of the wavelength meter (Figure 2.1).
  • Page 18 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER Wavelength Display The most recent wavelength measurement. Error Display The difference between the target wavelength and the Wavelength Display. Output Display The current voltage output being delivered through the BNC connector on the back panel of the 871 instrument.

  • Page 19: Menu Function Descriptions

    Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER Menu Function Descriptions File Menu • Start Data Logging – The wavelength measurements can be logged in a Comma-Separated Value (*.csv) file format for use in other graphing programs. If “Stop after..measurements” or “Stop after…hours, minutes, seconds”...
  • Page 20 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER Select the radio button for the Logging Interval. When “Measurement” is selected, the number of measurements can be adjusted incrementally using the up/down arrows or by highlighting the current measurement interval and entering a new measurement interval with the keyboard.
  • Page 21 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER • Save Settings – Saves the current NuView software settings to a text-based initialization (*ini) format file. The Settings file saves the following parameters. Spectral Units – The units for the Wavelength Display in nanometers, microns, gigahertz, terahertz, or wavenumbers.
  • Page 22 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER View Menu • Autoscale Axes – Automatically and continuously expands the x and y axes of the Trend Graph as necessary to fit the updating trending data into the display area. Autoscale Axes is only available on the Trend Screen, and appears grayed out on the Wavelength Screen.
  • Page 23 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER Instrument Menu • Connect – The 871 system can be connected to a PC by USB 2.0 interface or over an Ethernet network. Select Model 871 from the drop-down menu. Click on Connect and choose between “Connect via USB” or “Connect over the network.”...
  • Page 24 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER • Disconnect – Used to disconnect the 871 system from the PC. • Set IP Address – Manually change the IP address for the 871 system using the keyboard. If DHCP is enabled, then the network will automatically assign the instrument an open IP address.
  • Page 25 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER Due to the time varying incident power on the detector from a pulsed laser, Adjust Frame Rate can only be used when the Laser Type is set to CW mode. This function is disabled (grayed out) in Pulsed mode. Click to select.
  • Page 26 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER that does not receive sufficient intensity is discarded. When CW mode is enabled, the NuView software reports and records all wavelength measurements at the triggered rate, regardless of the intensity on the detector.
  • Page 27 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER To enable Temperature calibration, select Temperature from the drop down menu, enter a Temperature Delta value in degrees C using the keyboard and click OK. • Save Instrument State – Commits all changes to the 871 Laser Wavelength Meter’s status to the internal storage of the 871 instrument.
  • Page 28 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER • Buffering – The 871 system allows the user to buffer up to 1 million wavelength measurements in the instrument’s internal storage. The buffered measurements can then be downloaded and saved to the user’s PC in a Comma-Separated Value (*.csv) file format.
  • Page 29 Model 871A User’s Manual USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER Help Menu • About - Displays the NuView software version, the embedded software versions, and information about the 871 system. Bristol Instruments, Inc.
  • Page 30 NuView software is up to date. • User’s Manuals – Opens a dialog box with a list of all available User’s Manuals. Clicking an instrument hyperlink starts downloading the latest version of the User’s Manual from Bristol Instruments’ website. Bristol Instruments, Inc.

  • Page 31: Making Measurements

    Rate will define the measurement time initiated by the input trigger. The measurement time includes the exposure time and read-out time. The equation below shows the relation between the Frame Rate and exposure time for the 871A-NIR system. The read out time is a fixed 0.575 milliseconds.

  • Page 32: External Trigger

    Model 871A User’s Manual MAKING MEASUREMENTS External Trigger Trigger Logistics The 871 system can be triggered through the monitor port for coordinating measurements with external equipment. Either a rising or falling edge TTL trigger can be specified. Figure 5.1 illustrates the timing of the trigger signal for a falling edge trigger ).
  • Page 33 Model 871A User’s Manual MAKING MEASUREMENTS Monitor Port The Monitor Port on the rear panel of the 871 Laser Wavelength Meter provides the input for a control trigger and monitoring of the data processing and output. The Monitor Port uses a 9-pin, female, D-sub style connector shown in Figure 5.2 and with a pinout described in the table below.

  • Page 34: High Speed Data Acquisition

    Model 871A User’s Manual MAKING MEASUREMENTS High Speed Data Acquisition This section describes the semantics and formatting of the measurement data along with the back panel pinout of the RS-422 port. The instrument ships with a RS-422 to USB converter cable for transferring data to a computer, though any computer interface which can read an RS-422 signal can be used.
  • Page 35 Model 871A User’s Manual MAKING MEASUREMENTS Encoding Each measurement begins with the special byte 0x7E (the “start token”). To make it easy to identify the beginning of a measurement, the data is formatted so that this byte only ever occurs at the beginning of a measurement packet.

  • Page 36: Stored Data Buffer

    Model 871A User’s Manual MAKING MEASUREMENTS Connection Port The RS-422 on the rear panel of the 871 system provides digital signals for collecting the data steam described above. The RS-422 uses a 6-pin, female, RJ11 style connector shown in Figure 5.3 and with a pinout described in the table below.
  • Page 37 Model 871A User’s Manual MAKING MEASUREMENTS Data Semantics The binary data consists of a wavelength, a relative power, a status word, and a scan index, in that order, for each buffered measurement. The description of each field is as follows.

  • Page 38: Remote Communications

    Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS Web-based Display Application The web-based display application allows remote connection to the 871 Laser Wavelength Meter to easily provide a portable wavelength display. An 871 system with a wired connection to a network can be accessed by any computer, tablet, or smart phone connected to the same network.
  • Page 39 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS Figure 6.1: Web-Based Display Application The display application shows the real-time wavelength and power measurements from the connected 871 system. The display application also offers customizable settings for displaying the measurement. • Averaging – This function automatically calculates a running average of as many as 128 measurements.
  • Page 40 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS • Settings – Allows the user to select the measurement units for the wavelength display, instrument frame rate, and the trigger mode. The Settings screen also displays relevant information about the web-based display application and embedded software versions.

  • Page 41: Direct Communication

    Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS • Auto Frame Rate – Adjusts the instrument’s Frame Rate to illuminate the instrument’s detector for optimal signal intensity. When Adjust Frame Rate is selected, the Display Application chooses a frame rate between 12 and 1000 Hz to illuminate the detector at approximately 50% saturation.
  • Page 42 Copyright 2012, Critical Link LLC Ctrl-D – Exit Ctrl-E _ Toggle Echo Bristol Instruments *IDN? BRISTOL WAVELENGTH METER, 871A-VIS, 1109, 1.2.11 :MEAS:POW? 0.5144 Telnet must be explicitly installed on a PC running Windows Vista, using the following instructions. Go to the Start Menu, then click Control Panel.

  • Page 43: Scpi Communications Scheme

    Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS SCPI Communications Scheme This section describes the communication scheme of the 871 Laser Wavelength Meter. It follows the Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) Syntax and Style Guidelines. The following table provides a summary of commands by subsystem. “[…]”...
  • Page 44 The *IDN (identification number) query returns a string value which contains the instrument type, serial number, and firmware version. The third value is the instrument serial number. The last value is the imbedded software version. Query Response BRISTOL WAVELENGTH METER, 871A-VIS, 1135, 1.03 Bristol Instruments, Inc.
  • Page 45 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS *OPC? Description The *OPC (operation complete) query returns 1 when all pending device operations are complete, 0 if an operation is pending. Query Response {0 | 1} *RCL Description The *RCL (recall) command restores instrument settings.
  • Page 46 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS *SAV Description The *SAV command saves instrument settings. *STB? Description The *STB (status byte) query returns the current value of the instrument’s status byte. Returns an integer that is the sum of all the bit values for those bits Query Response that are set.
  • Page 47 Examples :MEAS:ENV? :FETC:ENV? :FREQuency? Description Returns an input laser reading in units of THz. Query Response A numerical value (e.g., 193.673574). The model 871A returns 9 significant digits. Examples :FETC:FREQ? :MEAS:FREQ? :WAVelength? Description Returns an input laser wavelength value in units of nm.
  • Page 48 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS :WNUMber? Description Returns an input laser reading in units of cm A numerical value (e.g., 6455.78580). The model 871A returns 9 Query Response significant digits. Examples :FETC:WNUM? :MEAS:WNUM? :ALL? Description Returns the scan index, the instrument status, measurement wavelength reading in nanometers, and a relative power reading.
  • Page 49 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS :DELTa:METHod? Description Queries the state of the :METHod function. Query Response { START | MAXMIN } Examples :CALC:DELT:METH? :DELTa:METHod { STARt | MAXMin } Description Sets the state of the :METHod function to either STARt (to get start - current values) or MAXMin (to get maximum - minimum values).
  • Page 50 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS MMEMory Subsystem The MMEMory subsystem { XE “Commands:MEMMory” } configures the instrument to buffer as many as 1 million measurements. Once buffered, the measurements can be transferred to the user’s PC via USB or Ethernet using a SCPI command.
  • Page 51 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS SENSe Subsystem The SENSe subsystem { XE “Commands:SENSe” } allows changes to how the instrument makes measurements. SENSe Subsystem Functions :AVERage:STATe? Description Queries the state of the averaging status. Query Response { OFF | ON }...
  • Page 52 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS :CALIbrate:METHod { OFF | TIME | TEMPerature } Description Sets the method of automatic calibration for the instrument. *RST value TEMPerature Examples :SENS:CALI:METH TIME :CALIbrate:METHod? Description Queries the method of calibration for the instrument.
  • Page 53 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS :CALibrate:TIMer? Description Queries the set time between automatic calibrations of the instrument. The time is specified in minutes. Query Response { 5 | 6 | 7 | ... | 1439 | 1440 } Examples...
  • Page 54 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS :PID:OUTput? Description Queries the last PID output voltage, expressed in volts. Query Response { -5.0 } Examples :SENS:PID:OUT? :PID:SPOint { 375…14000 } Description Sets the target wavelength of the PID calculation, expressed in nanometers.
  • Page 55 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS :PID:LCONstants:INTegral? Description Queries the integral constant (K ) for the PID calculation, expressed in { 0…50.0 } Query Response Examples :SENSE:PID:LCON:INT? :PID:LCONstants:DERivative { 0…50.0 } Description Sets the derivative constant (K ) for the PID calculation, expressed in seconds.
  • Page 56 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS :PID:VOLTage:MINimum? Description Queries the minimum voltage of the PID calculation, expressed in volts. Query Response { -5.0…0.0 } Examples :SENS:PID:MIN? :PID:VOLTage:MAXimum { 0.01…5.0 } Sets the maximum output voltage for the PID calculation, expressed in Description volts.
  • Page 57 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS :PID:VOLTage:SCALe? Description Sets the voltage/gain scale for the PID calculation, expressed in volts per nanometer. { -500.0…500.0 } Query Response Examples :SENS:PID:VOLT:SCAL? :EXPOsure:AUTO { ON | OFF } Description Sets the state of the Auto Exposure function.
  • Page 58 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS Questionable Status Register BIT VALUE DESCRIPTION The wavelength has already been read for the current scan. (not used) The previously requested calibration has failed. The power value is outside the valid range of the instrument.
  • Page 59 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTem Subsystem Functions :ERRor? Description Reads error strings from the SCPI Error Queue. If the Error Queue has any entries, the Error Queue bit is set in the Status Byte. The instrument has a 30 entry, first-in, first-out queue. Repeatedly sending the query :SYST:ERr? returns the error numbers and descriptions in the order in which they occurred until the queue is empty.
  • Page 60 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS TRIGger Subsystem The TRIGger subsystem { XE “” } is used to define the length of a measurement and how a measurement is initiated. The values for the TRIGger subsystem are INTernal, external FALL, or external RISE.
  • Page 61 Model 871A User’s Manual REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS :SEQuence:RATE:ADJust Description Attempts to automatically set the data acquisition rate of the instrument for optimal illumination of the detector. Examples :TRIG:SEQ:RATE:ADJ :SEQuence:RATE:ADJust? Returns the current data acquisition rate that the instrument is using Description based on the previous :TRIGger:SEQuence:RATE:ADJust command.

  • Page 62: Appendix A - Specifications

    (2) Traceable to accepted physical standards. (3) 871A: Standard deviation for a 1 minute measurement period after the instrument has reached thermal equilibrium. Standard deviation for a 10 minute period is about twice the 1 minute specification. 871B: Standard deviation for a 10 minute measurement period after instrument has reached thermal equilibrium.

  • Page 63: Appendix B - Warranty & Service

    HeNe laser, which will be warranted for two years from the date of shipment. During the warranty period, Bristol Instruments will repair, or at its option, replace parts that prove to be defective when the instrument is returned prepaid to Bristol Instruments. Before returning an instrument, always call Bristol Instruments for return authorization.

  • Page 64: Appendix C - Rndis Troubleshooting

    Model 871A User’s Manual APPENDIX C – RNDIS DRIVER APPENDIX C – RNDIS TROUBLESHOOTING The 871 Laser Wavelength Meter communicates over USB interface with a virtual Ethernet connection. This connection uses the Remote Network Driver Interface Specification (RNDIS). Typically, the RNDIS system is automatically activated or installed when the instrument is first connected to the PC.
  • Page 65 Model 871A User’s Manual APPENDIX C – RNDIS DRIVER If the RNDIS driver is not enabled, the device manager will show a yellow exclamation point. In this situation, use the following instructions to enable the RNDIS driver. Right click on “RNDIS/Ethernet Gadget” and choose "Update Driver Software". You will be prompted with the driver selection wizard as shown below.
  • Page 66 Model 871A User’s Manual APPENDIX C – RNDIS DRIVER Select "Browse my computer for driver software" and you will be prompted with the driver selection dialog: Choose "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer" and click “Next.”...
  • Page 67 Model 871A User’s Manual APPENDIX C – RNDIS DRIVER Then select "Microsoft Corporation" as shown below. Then select: "Remote NDIS Compatible Device" as shown below and click “Next”. Bristol Instruments, Inc.

  • Page 68: Windows 10

    Model 871A User’s Manual APPENDIX C – RNDIS DRIVER When completed you should see the following dialog indicating the driver is enabled. If you need to connect to a RNDIS device from a virtual machine, it is easier to set-up the RNDIS driver on your "real"...
  • Page 69 Model 871A User’s Manual APPENDIX C – RNDIS DRIVER After connecting the 871 system to the PC via USB interface and powering up the 871 system, a successful connection will show up in the Device Manager (Control Panel>Device Manager) under Network Adapters as “RNDIS/Ethernet Gadget.”...
  • Page 70 APPENDIX C – RNDIS DRIVER Note: this is incorrect for a USB connection only. The RS-422 to USB cable provided by Bristol Instruments appears as a COM device when correctly connected. Use the following instructions to update the RNDIS driver.
  • Page 71 Model 871A User’s Manual APPENDIX C – RNDIS DRIVER If an internet connection is available, select “Search Automatically” to retrieve the latest driver from the internet. If no internet connection is available, select “Browse my computer for driver software”, and locate the RNDIS Driver zip file on the customer CD supplied with the instrument.

  • Page 72: Appendix D - Instrument Troubleshooting

    Error Messages The following table provides a list of error messages and what they mean. If an error message is displayed, please call Bristol Instruments for additional information and/or instructions. Error Message Description...

  • Page 73: Appendix E - Status Byte Definitions

    Model 871A User’s Manual APPENDIX E – STATUS BYTE DEFINITIONS APPENDIX E – STATUS BYTE DEFINITIONS Hex Value Error Message Value 0x00000004 Reference laser locked 0x00000008 Etalon fringe error 0x00000010 Etalon saturation error 0x00000080 Calibration failure 2048 0x00000800 Reference laser not stable...

  • Page 74: Appendix F - Fiber-Optic Cleaning Instructions

    Model 871A User’s Manual APPENDIX F – FIBER-OPTIC CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS APPENDIX F – FIBER-OPTIC CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS General Information Ensure that all fiber-optic connectors are clean and dry. The 871 Laser Wavelength Meter is shipped with a fiber-optic cleaning kit consisting of a package of connector cleaning sticks, clean wipes, and fiber-optic splice &...

  • Page 75: Software Copyright Acknowledgement

    Model 871A User’s Manual SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Model 871 makes use of copyrighted software, the use of which is hereby acknowledged. Font Awesome (http://fontawesome.io) by Dave Gandy Go-Json-Rest (https://github.com/ant0ine/go-json-rest) Copyright © 2013-2016 Antoine Imbert The MIT License Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software...

  • Page 76: Declaration Of Conformity

    EC and FCC Declaration of Conformity Manufacturer’s Name: Bristol Instruments, Inc. Manufacturer’s Address: 770 Canning Parkway Victor, NY 14564 USA declares this product: Product Name: Wavelength Meters Model Number(s): 871-VIS, 871-NIR conforms to the following directives: 73/23/EEC 89/336/EMC as a result of having been tested satisfactorily to the following standards:...
  • Page 78 Bristol Instruments, Inc. 770 Canning Parkway Victor, NY 14564 Tel: (585) 924-2620 Fax: (585) 924-2623 Email: service@bristol-inst.com...

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