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To provide ag lending and financial expertise to help our customers succeed.
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Amundson Peterson, Inc is a family owned full service John Deere dealership since 1965. We have four locations: Benson, Elbow Lake, Madison, Morris. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority and we want to make every customer a repeat customer.
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Eagle Bank is a full service financial institution offering a broad range of financial services to individuals and businesses. Whether you need security in your checking account, a place to save your money for a rainy day or assistance in purchasing a new car, boat or home, Eagle Bank can help with our full line of banking services, including Eagle Financial Services.
Eagle Bank has a firm commitment to the success of all the local communities that it serves. Local ownership and management are deeply involved in the social and economic growth of the communities. We are known for our quick response to the customer needs, community projects and interests.
At Eagle Bank, our strength and stability will keep "seeing you into the future".
Yearly Events: Customer Appreciation Picnic in July and the Holiday Open House in December
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Convenience Store, Auto Mechanic Shop, Petroleum & LP Sales
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The Grant County Historical Society believes that "it is important to know where we have been to know where we are going." We will collect, preserve, explain and share the history of people, life and events of Grant County.
The Grant County Historical Society was organized in 1938 and incorporated in 1944. Until 1960 artifacts collected were displayed in the Grant County Courthouse. Upon completion of the museum building, one of the first in the state to be built for the purpose of becoming a museum, artifacts were moved to their new home.
Our collections cover prehistoric times through current times but the pioneer settlement era of the 1880s to 1900 are especially well represented. Our Veterans Memorial Hall contains military exhibits representing wars and conflicts from the Civil War to the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts.
Our archives contain numerous articles for researchers including photographs, plat books, newspapers, church records, census records, naturalization records and family files.
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Established in 1966. Family owned. Pay at the Pump 24/7, Full-service Auto Repair, Propane & Fuel: Propane Tanks-Farm-Commercial & Home Delivery
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Knute Nelson Home Care & Hospice offers 24 hour a day, 7 day a week admissions and care. Individuals can count on us to be here when they need us most. We provide personalized health care to our patients in their home. Our focus is on building personal and lasting relationships with our patients and their families. The more we know about them, the better we are able to individualize care and services to enhance their overall well-being.Our services include, but are not limited to:
Our services include, but are not limited to:
skilled nursing and case management
medication management and education
wound, ostomy and continence nurse
physical, occupational and speech therapy
cardiac and blood pressure monitoring
24-hour monitoring and care
management of chronic illnesses, not limited to: congestive heart failure, diabetes, emphysema, pneumonia, asthma, cancer
smart-home technology
IV therapy
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|MRWA Mission Statement
"To provide the latest information, education, and technical assistance to protect our public waters and improve the quality of life in Minnesota."
Minnesota Rural Water Association was founded in 1978. We are a non-profit association governed by a board of directors. We are staffed with full-time personnel trained to offer professional on-site technical assistance and training to water and wastewater system personnel in managerial, financial, and operation and maintenance of systems, as well as source water protection. MRWA is funded through grants, contracts, and membership monies to allow us to offer our services to water and wastewater systems and governing personnel. MRWA is proudly affiliated with National Rural Water Association.
|MRWA's Objective is to provide excellence in training and technical assistance to small municipal and non-municipal systems, rural water districts, and wastewater districts with populations less than 10,000.
Events: Hosts the largest water and wastewater technical conference in Minnesota in St. Cloud held during the first week of March every year since 1984. Various training held throughout MN – schedule at: http://www.mrwa.com/training.html
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Mohagen's Hardware has been a cornerstone business in Elbow Lake since 1932. It was founded by Lars Mohagen, then passed down to his son, Harold Mohagen. Prior to the Mohagen's having a hardware store in Elbow Lake in the early 1900's, that slot was filled by Johnson Hardware and Franklin Johnson who had a lumber yard, hardware store, cabinetry and funeral home business on the same location Mohagen's Hardware stands today.
Now Franklin Johnson's great-grandaughter and her husband, Sue and Bob Kulbeik, are the proprietors of the current Mohagen's Hardware. They are a full service hardware store including – paint, plumbing and electrical, housewares, sporting goods, toys and games, building materials, and lawn and garden equipment. They also have a large garden center in the spring for a huge assortment of flower and vegetable plants.
Biographical Info
The Grant County Historical Society believes that…"It is important to know where we have been to know where we are going…" Our mission is to collect, preserve, explain and share the history of people, life and events of Grant County.
Our collections cover prehistoric times to the present with the pioneer days of the 1880s through WWII especially well represented. Our Veterans Memorial Hall displays our military exhibits and also serves as the meeting space for our local American Legion post. Our archives include all available county newspapers, thousands of photos, history books, plat books, church and cemetery records and family files.


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"Updates" are meant to improve upon what is existing, and add useful features that add to functionality. Well Instagram rolled out an update, but it went against everything an update brings. In short, it caused the opposite effect to what I've described.
I'm first going to start with their newest feature, Photo Map. This is basically a feature on your profile that allows you to view (and share) all your photos that have been geo-tagged with location information. And although they are touting the user has "full control" of what photos appear on the Photo Map, it's also a great way for you to be stalked if you are the type to geo-tag every photo you share on Instagram. Someone can now go to your profile and see photos from places you've been, draw up a pattern of where you like to hang out, and stalk you. The way to prevent this would obviously be turn your account private or refrain from geo-tagging your photos. But that's borderline, having the user do too much. If Instagram wanted to go big on location why didn't they add this to the "Explore" tab? Where it would actually make sense to let users view photos by country/city, with it auto-updating just like how the Popular photos work today. They can even go ahead and rank cities by the popularity of their geo-tagged photos. I'm not sure why they felt the need to screw up a user's profile with this useless feature that I and several others will not use.
It begs the question: Are they already learning the evil ways of their soon-to-be parent company? It seems like it.
My second issue with the new update is with the layout of photos when looking at a user's a profile. Photos are still in grid-view, but the layout and color selections are painful to look at. Previously, profile pages looked like the below image. The new profile page design is what you see above.
I'm not sure who decided that a light-grey background was more appealing to the eye than a plain white background, which put more emphasis on the photos rather than the layout.
I'm not sure who decided that a light-grey background was more appealing to the eye than a plain white background, which put more emphasis on the photos rather than the layout.
The photo-grid has been redesigned with an extra layer of white borders around individual photos. Therefore making the photos seem smaller and refocusing attention on the surrounding borders and background. In one word: this is one awful update that I regret having installed. One would ask what areas could Instagram have improved on, well heck, making the app faster and less prone to crashes is a start. I had this weird occurrence with the app this week where photos I was trying to upload where continuously failing, and after the sixth or seventh try it had posted a barrage of the same photos to my timeline. Fail. Infinite scrolling is a nice feature to have since it allows you to see more photos without hitting that dead end when scrolling down your timeline.
This update has made the app more complex to use and figure out. People just want to share their photos. That's it. So enabling users with the quickest, fastest way to do that is the way to keep us happy. Instead of spending all their deign and development resources to rollout this bad update, they could've spent that time re-thinking the Explore section. Currently I'm only seeing photos of teenagers showing off their jewelry and people posing half nude. Why not surface some photos depending on the "pulse" of what's happening in world. The explore section should be able to trigger serendipity at any point in time. It should be relevant, curated, and purposeful. Not just based of likes and popularity of the user. The Explore section should be instagram's way of informing users on the visually interesting things that are currently going on in their world.
Another opportunity in Instagram 3.0 was for them to come out with a dedicated iPad app(they still might). More screen real-estate, more ways for users to access the network. An overall improved experience for the user. It's a no-brainer if they are serious about owning the mobile-photo-sharing space.
I can't vent my frustrations enough about the latest update. But I think I've tried. Instagram is an app I check everyday, every morning--it's actually the first app I open when I wake up, and the first app I share to. The app isn't a joy to look at any longer, and I'm afraid it'll gradually become "that" app I hardly check.
Instagram, this was a bad update.
Sent with Writer. From Ed's iPad.

subset: commoncrawl


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Scooter convoy record within reach
It's been two years since the Canadian town of Victoriaville nabbed the Bay's once cherished world record title for hosting the longest parade of motorised scooters and wheelchairs.
This Saturday, all scooter and wheelchair owners are being encouraged to head down to Scarness Park and help snatch back the world record.
Scooter Convoy organiser Julie de Waard said 160 participants will be needed in order to set a new world record.
With participation forms coming in slowly, Ms de Waard is confident the Bay has the numbers to reclaim its title.
"It's a lot of fun, it helps put the Fraser Coast on the map and most importantly it promotes the safe use of scooters and wheelchairs around the Fraser Coast," Ms de Waard said.
"Registrations will open from 8am on the day but we would like people to pre-register so we have a rough idea of numbers."
The Scooter Convoy will leave Scarness Park at around 9.30am, this Saturday, September 20.
It will be followed by a sausage sizzle and live entertainment at the Scarness Stage.
To register to take part in the Scooter Convoy call Julie de Waard on 4194 2441.


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Our firm has a reputation as leaders in complex litigation.
Get the best result possible by partnering with us.
Our legal skills have been utilized in some of the most specialized and
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The US Department of Agriculture National Appeals Office ruled soundly for Domina Law Group pc llo's Northwest Iowa farmer in a major case. The decision was issued November 23.
Iowa's State Committee ruled that a Mapleton IA area farmer would be denied all farm program benefits because he allegedly failed to comply, or make good faith compliance efforts, with USDA Highly Erodible Lans ("HEL") regulations.
But evidence from many witnesses, strong expert testimony, and careful dissection of USDA records, led the Agency's National Appeals Office to conclude Domina Law Group pc llo's case "met the burden" of required proof. The Ruling held
Domina Law Group pc llo's extensive case proved Iowa authorities ruled incorrectly against the large farmer and used incorrect data, measurements, and follow-up to support the decision reversed on appeal.
"Our client was emotional, and thrilled to learn his nightmare is over" David Domina said. Domina, and Michael Stumo, handled case preparation and trial for the farmer. "We were pleased to be able to help with this important legal issue", Domina said. Stumo said he expect to co author a publication on the Highly Erodable Lands issues. "Lawyers in our practice expect to see more USDA agency litigation", Domina and Stumo said.
October, 2007
Domina Law Group pc llo is a firm of trial lawyers. We specialize in complex litigation on a national basis. Our lawyers are ethical, aggressive, and committed to providing spirit and vitality to the judicial system and our client's legal rights.


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Dragonflies at Paxton Pits.
June 6, 2017
Welcome to the June edition of What Comes Naturally. Join Ranger Jim on a visit to the Hayling Pit to see damselflies, demoiselles, dragonflies and all sorts of other wildlife. The star of the show, in terms of rarity, is the Norfolk hawker, but we think that the banded demoiselle is more beautiful.
Next time, we will be looking for butterflies.


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Single Mosbach
Volume 1 of 3, George Staunton. Anytime someone who takes what I think is an unfair fee structure because they can get it, I rule them out. Forex - Dollar stays on the defensive, euro hits 6-week highs. Instead of looking for 2-3 days pair trading position holding, what I am looking for a intraday pair trading software that will eneble small trader to take small intraday position on the selling side in cash segment, for example, buy 10 nos SBIN, short 25 nos ICICI Bank etc.
Trading strategy- Learn about the basics of candlestick charting.


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The Toptica CTLis the ultimate choice when looking for a laser that is widely tunable without any mode-hopping. It has high power, a narrow linewidth and high absolute and relative wavelength accuracy. Wide scans can be performed with highest resolution. With the fully digital, low noise and drift DLC pro controller, the CTL laser is easy to use and operate via touch-screen and knobs as well as via remote PC GUI and command language.
The new CTL lasers are ideally suited for applications that require large mode-hop free tuning ranges, such as the resonant excitation of small structures like quantum dots and micro-cavities. Also molecular spectroscopy and components testing will benefit from CTLs exceptional properties.
Download datasheet here.
Read more
This result has been published in Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy in January 2018. See https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jms.2017.12.013 or http://arxiv.org/abs/1801.01342
High-resolution absorption spectroscopy of atoms and molecules is useful to improve models and for frequency calibration and stabilization. A continuous high-resolution measurement without any gaps or discontinuities requires widely mode-hop-free tunable lasers.
With TOPTICA's continuously tunable diode laser CTL, the absorption spectrum of iodine was recently recorded over the broad wavelength range between 915 and 985 nm. This high resolution measurement was performed in a single sweep and allows for providing an "iodine atlas" that contains almost 10,000 experimentally observed absorption lines with an uncertainty of only 50 MHz (corresponding to 0.0017 cm-1).
TOPTICA Photonics will present their latest innovations at Photonics West in Moscone Center, San Francisco from January 30th to February 1st.
This year, TOPTICA's booth location moved to North Hall, booth #4645. Dedicated laser solutions for biophotonics will be presented at the BiOS exhibition on 27th and 28th January, booth 8508.
With their broad product portfolio, TOPTICA offers All Wavelengths! Complete coverage from deep-UV (190 nm) to terahertz radiation (0.1 THz, corresponding to 3 mm). These lasers support a multitude of applications in microscopy, materials metrology and quantum technology.
Munich - December 18th: TOPTICAtoday signed an updated contract with the European Southern Observatory (ESO) for the production of four more lasers to be used in the adaptive optics system of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). The contract is an extension of a development and deployment contract for ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) and will be executed by TOPTICA Projects GmbH, a recently started TOPTICA spin-off. These unique guide star laser systems have been extensively tested at one of the major ESO telescopes in Paranal, Chile for more than two years. They will be a key component of the new ELT telescope and will help to achieve an unprecedented spatial resolution for optical/infrared ground-based telescopes. The ELT is expected to see first light in 2024.
Many polymeric materials appear – more or less – transparent for terahertz radiation. Researchers and engineers have successfully exploited this behavior for contact-free analysis and non-destructive testing. For example, pulsed terahertz radiation can uncover the thickness of an object, using an "echolocation" technique: In reflection-mode measurements, terahertz pulses strike the object under test, and its front and back side each reflect a part of the incident pulse. The time-of-flight difference, i.e. the time elapsed between the arrivals of the pulse echoes from either side, is directly proportional to the optical thickness of the layer. The method still works if the object consists of several different layers, and TOPTICA's customers have resolved layers down to 10-20 µm, even in ternary and quaternary materials.
Wilhelm Kaenders gave a "Visionary Speakers" talk on quantum science and business at FiO 2017.
Recently, Toptica's president Wilhelm Kaenders held a keynote presentation at the OSA Frontiers in Optics Conference in Washington about his vision of the future of quantum technology. He described the "small-company perspective" of the transition from laboratory-only experiments towards large projects with public interests. Read more in this article.
The DFC SEED unit is dedicated for OPCPA and high power amplifier seeding that require phase-stable ultrashort laser pulses at 1560 nm and 1030 nm or 1950 nm. It combines an outstanding passive CEP stability which challenges the best Ti:sapph lasers with the convenience and robustness of a fiber laser. Long-term drifts of the CEP that are caused by a subsequent amplifier chain can be compensated through a dedicated feedback channel. The repetition rate frep of the DFC SEED can be synchronized to any appropriate reference.
Download detailed brochure here.
TOPTICA's offset-free frequency comb DFC (Difference Frequency Comb) and tunable cw diode lasers (DL pro) can be combined into easy-to-use laser systems delivering frequency-stable cw-output at any wavelength between 420 nm and 2200 nm. A complete laser system contains a DFC CORE, wavelength extensions (DFC EXT), cw diode lasers (DL pro), beat units (DFC BC, DFC MD), all necessary stabilization electronics, a wavelength meter (High Finesse), RF-reference, counter, spectrum analyzer, control server (PC) and user software.
All these components can now be integrated into a single transportable 19-inch rack. The standard system comes with two frequency stable cw-outputs and all required accessories. The control software runs on an integrated PC acting as server, it can be operated remotely using the client GUI. The laser frequencies can be set manually within the comb extension and DL pro bandwidth and are displayed live by the software.
Download pdf Product Brochure here.
The CORE unit of TOPTICA's Difference Frequency Comb (DFC) consists of a low noise mode-locked oscillator, a fiber-optic amplifier, a nonlinear fiber for supercontinuum generation, a CERO unit for difference frequency generation (DFG) and a fiber-optic pre-amplifier. The DFC CORE provides 4 or 8 fCEO-stabilized outputs at 1560 nm. Each output can seed a user-defined extension as specified on the DFC Extensions section. It comes with integrated radio frequency reference and dedicated frep locking electronics. A beat monitoring unit comprising a laptop and a digital scope with spectrum analyzer mode allows for convenient monitoring and analysis of locking beats.
Download brochure here.
TOPTICA's frequency comb product line is a modular system that supports a broad variety of applications. Three basic versions of the DFC are available: DFC CORE, DFC CORE+ and DFC SEED. All models use TOPTICA proprietary CERO-technology to achieve an unprecedented low-noise performance.
The DFC CORE and its high performance version DFC CORE+ come with a digital oscilloscope for beat monitoring and a GPS disciplined RF reference included. They both provide 4 or optionally 8 phase-stable outputs at 1560 nm.
Several extension modules are available that can convert the DFC CORE / DFC CORE+ outputs to any wavelength between 420 nm and 2200 nm. The extension modules can be upgraded at any time after purchase of the DFC CORE and are interchangeable between outputs.
In addition, beam combiner (DFC BC) and beat detector (DFC MD) units are available to provide RF beats between the DFC comb lines and cw lasers. The RF output signal of the DFC MD can be counted to determine the frequency of the cw laser. It also enables phase or frequency stabilization of the cw laser to the DFC using e.g. TOPTICA's locking modules mFALC or DigiLock. In the DFC CORE+ version, the RF output signal can also be used to stabilize the DFC to the cw laser which serves as optical reference.
Such a DFC system can be combined with any of TOPTICA's tunable diode lasers to achieve a complete, frequency referenced laser system including wavelength meter and counter all from one source.
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has initiated a strategy process within the field of quantum technologies that stressed the importance of this field for economy and science in Germany. This assessment is in accordance with European and international evaluation. In order to implement first results of the strategy process, the BMBF has selected three pilot projects addressing important developments in quantum technologies. The first pilot project "optIclock - optical single ion clock" has started in May 2017.
Wide mode-hop-free tuning is important for many exciting applications: for example resonant excitation of small structures like quantum dots and micro-cavities as well as molecular spectroscopy or components testing. TOPTICA is specialized in tunable diode lasers with excellent precision, reliability and ease-of-use.
For example, TOPTICA's CTL – continuously tunable laser – enables mode-hop-free tuning of up to 110 nm at several central wavelengths. Wide scans can be performed with highest resolution and narrow linewidth, and CTL features high absolute and relative wavelength accuracy as well as high power.
In combination with its fully digital controller DLC pro, the CTL laser is easy to use and operate via touch-screen and knobs as well as via remote PC GUI and command language. The low noise and drift levels of the controller make the CTL series even more stable and lowest-noise.
The new Toptica FemtoFiber dichro midIR represents an ideal laser source for mid-infrared spectroscopy and imaging. It provides a tunable broadband output in the wavelength range of 5 to 15 µm (20 - 60 THz, 670 - 2000 cm-1). The unique 400 cm-1 broad emission spectra allow to excite a wide range of materials at the same time. The air-cooled system is based on TOPTICAs proprietary fiber laser technologies and includes a difference frequency generation (DFG) unit as well as all necessary electronics into the same box. All functions and features are computer controllable by Ethernet or USB interfaces.
Download pdf brochure here.
Four units of TOPTICA's laser guide star system "SodiumStar 20/2" project powerful orange beams into the air in Chile's Atacama desert at the VLT. (Credit: ESO/F. Kamphues)
On September 9th 2016, TOPTICA's guide star laser SodiumStar 20/2 was rewarded with the third place of the highly prestigious Laser Research Innovation Award presented by the Berthold Leibinger Stiftung. The "Guide Star Alliance", consisting of TOPTICA Photonics AG (Germany), MPB Communications Inc. (Canada) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO), developed a novel high power laser system over a period of more than seven years serving as Guide Star for the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and other Large and Extremely Large Telescopes (ELT). This technology is a very long sought for key component for the construction of modern, earth-based telescopes and it has created already a large impact in the performance, reliability and maintenance of such high-tech devices.
TOPTICA is providing a free upgrade for DLC pro systems through a software update. The upgrade features a power stabilization feature for all types of supported lasers (DL pro, TA pro, SHG pro, CTL). Moreover, it provides access to the FFT (fast Fourier transform) display to DLC pro systems without the Locking Option.
Four units of TOPTICA's laser guide star system "SodiumStar 20/2" project powerful orange beams into the air in Chile's Atacama desert. Due to Rayleigh scattering, the SodiumStar laser beams are visible up to a height of a few tens of kilometres. When they enter the sodium layer at about 100 km altitude, they generate an artificial star used for adaptive optics correction.
On April 26th, the impressive Four-Laser Guide Star Facility (4LGSF) was fully operational for the first time at the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the Paranal Observatory in Chile. During the preceding verification phase, a team of TOPTICA and ESO engineers successfully completed the required system tests. This is a major step towards the completion of the Adaptive Optics Facility (AOF) and evident proof of the capability of TOPTICA's ground-breaking guide star solution.
TOPTICA's frequency-doubled diode lasers now reach 2 Watts output power at 560 nm wavelength with several nanometers tuning range, allowing to use diode laser-based technology around 560 nm with high power.
TOPTICA has released a new class of multi-Watt laser sources for use in the laboratory but also opening up opportunities for future OEM integration. Based on the TA-SHG pro product line, a resonantly frequency-doubled tapered amplified diode laser, more than 2 Watts of single frequency output covering the spectral range from 550 nm to 565 nm are now available. The dramatic leap towards higher power levels is possible due to proprietary tapered amplifier technology, modified electrical & thermal management and further improvements of the frequency-doubling resonator technology.
TOPTICA's new frequency comb DFC is the ultimate choice for ultra-precise measurements and frequency referencing.
New products to be shown at the Moscone Center in San Francisco from February 13th – 18th 2016 include ultra-stable diode lasers and powerful femtosecond fiber lasers, as well as frequency combs and terahertz systems. These systems enable a variety of demanding applications in biophotonics and microscopy, materials and test & measurement, in addition to quantum optics and spectroscopy.
Low-noise frequency combs with record stability
TOPTICA's frequency comb DFC-CORE is the ultimate reference for optical frequencies and it convinces with completely new technology compared to previous systems. The DFC is now available in a compact one-box format including electronics. The fiber-based system uses difference frequency generation (DFG) to create an offset-free output at 1550 nm, and no active stabilization of the offset frequency is necessary. Due to this rock-solid passive operation, the DFC-CORE achieves an unprecedented low phase noise of less than 32 mrad in a spectral interferometry measurement. Consequently, when locked to an RF reference, its high stability results in an unrivaled deviation of less than 1x10-13 in one second. The DFC-CORE allows for complete frequency-stabilized laser systems, including the frequency comb, wavelength extensions and diode lasers referenced to the comb.
TOPTICA's FemtoFiber ultra NIR provides powerful femtosecond pulses of more than 500 mW and less than 150 fs at 780 nm.
The FemtoFiber ultra NIR from TOPTICA is a cost-effective, turnkey laser system that provides femtosecond laser pulses of more than 500 mW average power and an excellent beam quality. It is a powerful solution for applications in nonlinear microscopy like effective two-photon excitation of fluorescent proteins and SHG based contrast mechanisms, as well as micro-lithography. Experiments in fundamental physics will also benefit from the high output power of the laser. It provides pulses with a spectrum centered at 780 nm and a duration below 150 fs.
The system integrates a patented SESAM-mode-locked fiber-ring oscillator and a new high-power fiber amplifier. Polarization-maintaining, active fibers are used in order to maintain the highest reliability levels. Based on a fundamental wavelength of 1560 nm with a repetition rate of 80 MHz for oscillator and amplifier, the FemtoFiber ultra NIR uses a frequency-doubling stage, which converts the amplified output spectrum to 780 nm. Due to a highly efficient frequency-conversion process, more than 500 mW average power is available at 780 nm with a clean TEM00-mode free-space output.
TOPTICA presents new iChrome SLE multi-laser engine for multi-color microscopy and other biophotonics applications.
When it comes to light sources for biophotonics, one has had to choose between stability and flexibility. Even though home built breadboard solutions with standard laser modules enable flexibility, they are prone to misalignment and pose a challenge when integrated into a system as different lasers, AOTF's and other components need to be controlled. In contrast, miniaturized fixed systems are stable, but lack many of the advanced features and the flexibility often needed for advanced biophotonics applications.
The new multi-laser engine iChrome SLE offers both stability and flexibility in one package. TOPTICA's proprietary unmatched COOLAC self-alignment technology is integrated into this advanced platform - combining up to 8 laser wavelengths, fiber switching technology for SM/PM fibers, AOTF and direct diode modulation plus field serviceable laser cartridges. In addition, TOPTICA's uniform interface makes integration into applications extremely user-friendly.
TOPTICA expands their portfolio of ultrafast fiber-based laser systems.
TOPTICA's new FemtoFiber pro SCYb provides laser pulses with a center wavelength of 1030 nm and a duration below 100 fs. The turnkey system delivers typically 700 mW average output power making it the ideal laser source for specific applications in nonlinear microscopy or terahertz generation.
The new, all-fiber high-power laser system is based on a very stable, SAM mode-locked Er-doped oscillator operating at 1560 nm. The oscillator output is frequency-shifted towards 1030 nm using a nonlinear fiber. Yb-doped fiber amplifiers level up the power to typically 700 mW at the laser output. The system also includes a small grating compressor unit to achieve transform-limited output pulses of typically 90-100 fs, with more than 70 % of the total power in the main peak. It operates at a repetition rate of 80 MHz and provides a TEM00-beam shape with M2<1.2 and a beam diameter of 2 mm.
Fig.1: Experimental setup for time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Beam paths of femtosecond exci-tation laser (red) and detection path (yellow) in orthogonal geometry.
Time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy provides crucial insight into ultrafast processes in semiconductors, fluorescent biomolecules and organic compounds. In this application note we experimentally demonstrate this technique by using a combination of an ultrastable TOPTICA femtosecond fiber laser and a Hamamatsu streak camera to accurately derive the fluorescence decay constants of the dye IR 820 in different solvents. The system can be adapted easily to a broad spectral range by using frequency converted fiber lasers of the FemtoFiber pro series.
The DFC uses CERO-technology to achieve a reliable and offset-free frequency comb with a passive frequency-offset stabilization.
Long lasting experience with ultrafast fiber lasers enables TOPTICA to introduce a completely new frequency comb to the market. The offset-free system DFC is based on patented technology that achieves an unprecedented passive stability. It is the smart solution for complex experiments requiring highest accuracy and reliability regarding optical frequencies.
TOPTICA's difference frequency comb DFC operates with CERO technology ("zero-vCEO") which obtains a phase-stable laser output with an inherently vanishing frequency offset. To achieve this, femtosecond laser pulses centered at 1560 nm are generated with a mode-locked Er3+-doped fiber-oscillator. Subsequent amplification and coherent spectral broadening of the pulses in a nonlinear fiber creates a broad supercontinuum.
The FemtoFiber dichro design bioMP provides synchronized sub-100 fs pulses at two different wavelengths.
A groundbreaking concept in ultrafast laser technology, the Toptica FemtoFiber dichro design bioMP, offers two perfectly synchronized laser beams at different wavelengths out of one box, emitted through the same aperture! This dual-color laser system provides pulses centered at 780 nm with above 100 mW and at 1030 nm with above 200 mW, both with durations below 100 fs – at a repetition rate of 80 MHz. Easy tuning of temporal and spatial overlap of both beams and all laser parameters can be conveniently accessed via remote control. Best of all? Everything is integrated into an ultra-compact alignment-free turnkey system!
Simultaneous live-cell multi-color two-photon imaging with two or three wavelengths and two-photon excitation of all conventional fluorescent markers are straightforward with the FemtoFiber dichro design bioMP. Adjustment of the delay between the two laser pulses enables a variation of the absorption modes. If the pulses have no temporal overlap, two identical photons excite one set of fluorophore independently. For overlapping pulses one photon of each color contributes to transitions centered around twice the energy of a photon with 888 nm. This scheme can be used to efficiently excite GFP and other fluorophores with a two-photon excitation maximum around 900 nm.
The digital DLC TA-SHG pro offers unprecedented convenience and best specifications for challenging experiments with frequency-converted tunable diode lasers.
New conveniences for working with frequency-converted diode lasers!
TOPTICA's latest DLC TA-SHG pro systems offer the lowest noise levels, narrowest linewidths and a simpler way to manage laser operation. Thanks to new, automated functions these systems revolutionize the daily work with frequency-converted lasers.
Intelligent, automated alignment features integrated directly into the laser head transform the work with lasers: With the push of a button, the AutoAlign option re-optimizes the SHG system output power by maximizing the coupling efficiency of the laser into the TA chip and the SHG resonator via built-in intelligence and servo-controlled flexure mirror mounts. The PowerLock option automatically compensates residual drifts caused by changing environmental conditions, offering unvarying stable laser output with constant power. Fiber-coupled systems using the FiberMon option can monitor the optical power coupled to the SHG output fiber. In combination with the FiberMon option, AutoAlign and PowerLock are also available for fiber-coupled systems.
Download TOPTICA's Optics Calculator for smartphones! With this App you will have the most important calculations and conversions from different areas of laser optics always at hand.
ToptiCalc is TOPTICA's scientific calculator specially designed for use in optics laboratories. It offers frequently used calculations from different areas of laser optics. For many years the PC-version has been a popular tool for those of you working in research facilities and optics labs. Now ToptiCalc is finally available also for smartphones (both Android and iPhone). And the best thing: It's absolutely free!
TOPTICA introduces a new family of continuously tunable diode lasers
TOPTICA introduces a new family of diode lasers: the Continuously Tunable Lasers, CTL, for applications requiring a large mode-hop free tuning range with the best spectroscopic quality. The new family of CTL diode lasers permits mode-hop free tuning across the full gain spectrum of the integrated laser diode – while providing the highest resolution, narrow linewidth (< 100 kHz), renowned stability and ease-of-use of TOPTICA lasers. The first two versions of the CTL are available at 950 nm and 1570 nm, with continuous tuning from 915 – 985 nm and 1530 – 1620 nm, respectively. The single-mode TEM00 lasers provide an absolute wavelength accuracy of better than 100 pm, a repeatability better than 10 pm and output powers of up to 80 mW, more than twice the output power of comparable lasers.
TOPTICA's Laser Development Successfully Completed as Pathfinder for Future Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs)
March 28, 2014: Over the course of the last three years, TOPTICA has developed a new generation of sodium guide star lasers to be deployed at ESO's Adaptive Optics Facility at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Paranal, Chile. Until August 2014, TOPTICA will complete the delivery of four such lasers plus one spare unit to the European Southern Observatory (ESO), hoping for first light on the sky in Paranal in early 2015.
The newly developed laser systems consist of a narrow band and tun-able diode laser with 50 mW output power at 1178 nm, a Raman Fiber Amplifier stage developed by MPB Communications of Canada and a subsequent resonant frequency doubling stage. The output frequency is actively locked to a high resolution precision wavelength meter (HighFi-nesse GmbH). The work was performed under a multi-year ESO devel-opment contract using the ESO EFRA license for the amplifier step.
With TOPTICA's DLC pro, high-end laser control now enters the digital world! The new digital laser controller for TOPTICA's tunable diode laser DL pro sets new benchmarks with regards to low noise and low drift levels. It provides intuitive touch control and powerful remote operation to run and frequency stabilize the laser. Never before was the use of tunable diode lasers, e.g. for demanding experiments in quantum optics and spectroscopy, so convenient.
Prof. Immanuel Bloch and Prof. Markus Greiner are the winners of the BEC Awards 2013.
Professor Immanuel Bloch receives the senior BEC Award 2013 for his "pioneering experimental contributions to the field of quantum many?body physics with cold atoms in optical lattices". The junior BEC Award 2013 goes to Professor Markus Greiner, for his work on "imaging two-dimensional quantum gases in optical lattices with single-atom resolution". The awards will be presented during the Bose–Einstein Conference in Sant Feliu, Spain, 7–13 September 2013.
TOPTICA Photonics AG is proudly supporting the BEC awards in order to recognize the ever astonishing advances in the field of Quantum Degenerate Gases. The awards are given to a Senior and a Junior academic leader in the field, nominated and selected from within the BEC community itself.
The Senior and Junior BEC Awards 2013 honor outstanding research in Experimental and/or Theoretical Physics of Quantum Degenerate Atomic Gases. The senior prize recognizes work that is firmly established and has significantly advanced the field of quantum degenerate gases. The Junior Prze recognizes outstanding work by a young scientist for independent research early in his or her academic career. Each prize consists of a 2,500 Euro cash award, and a certificate citing the contributions of the recipients. The prizes are awarded under the auspices of the biannual BEC conference and are sponsored by Toptica Photonics AG. Full details here.
TOPTICA's new TopModediode lasers provide high-power, high-coherence mode-hop free operation. At blue-violet wavelengths, they achieve the highest single-frequency output power of any direct diode-based system while still operating as easily as a HeNe laser.
The TopMode lasers feature a spectral width of less than 5 MHz, translating into a coherence length greater than 25 m. TOPTICA's proprietary CHARM (CoHerence-Advanced Regulation Method) technology actively stabilizes the lasers' coherence and ensures continuous single-frequency operation.
CHARM eliminates mode-hops and prevents sudden step changes of the laser power or frequency. This results in an excellent stability of the diode laser and enables accurate measurements in demanding laser-based inspection and metrology tasks (e.g. interferometry, holography, scatterometry and Raman spectroscopy). Setting an industry record, the 405 nm TopMode offers as much as 100 mW output power. At the well-established HeNe wavelength of 633 nm, the corresponding model provides an output of 30 mW. Other available wavelengths are 445 nm, 515 nm, 488 nm and 685 nm. Users can choose between a free-beam output and optional fiber-coupling, realized with TOPTICA's patented SmartDock™ coupler.
FemtoFErb 780 – compact all-fiber laser with < 100 fs pulse width and > 50 mW at 780 nm.
Most compact and cost effective ultrafast fiber laser for terahertz and biophotonics
TOPTICA's new FemtoFErb 780, a turnkey laser system, delivers 50 mW average power at 780 nm center wavelength with a pulse duration of less than 100 fs at a repetition rate of 100 MHz. Based on polarization-maintaining Erbium-doped fibers and saturable absorber mirror (SAM) mode-locking technology, the all-fiber system features a compact SHG unit and comes with a free-beam output. Combining optics with the entire control electronics on a footprint of only 202 x 122 x 69 mm3 makes the FemtoFErb 780 the most compact fs-fiber laser commercially available. A perfect match for the requirements of time-domain terahertz, the FemtoFErb 780 also provides an ideal seeding source for Ti:Sapphire systems. In addition, this cost-effective replacement for bulky solid-state lasers suits various applications in biophotonics, ranging from SHG microscopy to multi-photon excitation.
The DL pro HP diode laser features a special resonator design, which allows for higher single-mode output powers from "visible" laser diodes. Manual coarse tuning of the wavelength is possible across the gain spectrum of the diode (for blue diodes approx. 2-3 nm) and mode-hop free fine tuning up to 50 GHz. Standard models are available at 405, 425 nm, and 633 nm; other wavelengths between 370 and 640 nm can be provided on request. The laser features various modulation inputs and includes an isolator. Fiber coupled versions are optionally available.
TOPTICAintroduces the new TeraFlash system, a table-top platform for time-domain terahertz spectroscopy. The all-fibre design is based on mature 1.5 µm telecom technology, combining TOPTICA's established femtosecond fibre lasers and state-of-the-art InGaAs antennas.
Using a highly precise delay stage, the TeraFlash achieves a peak dynamic range of more than 70 dB. Users can choose between a "precisescan" mode and a "fast scan" mode. In "precise scan" mode a bandwidth of 4 THz and a resolution better than 10 GHz are attained. Alternatively, in "fast scan" mode, a pulse trace is acquired in only 50 ms. The fibre-coupled antenna modules can be conveniently arranged, depending on the needs of the experiment. Integrated in the system is TOPTICA's FemtoFErb 1560, the most compact ultrafast laser on the market. The SAM mode-locked fibre oscillator and the usage of polarization-maintaining fibres ensure a high robustness and alignment-free, "hands-off" operation. The TeraFlash system is a perfect solution for applications such as high-bandwidth spectroscopy (e.g. of explosives or liquid crystals) and industrial process control.
ESO's portable guide star laser unit in operation during field tests at the Allgäu Public Observatory (courtesy: Timm Kasper).
The SodiumStar 20/2, a novel approach to guide star laser technology will be on display at the SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation conference in Amsterdam (July 1 to 4, 2012). This laser system was developed by TOPTICA jointly with the Canadian company MPB Communications and is based on the approach pursued by the laser group of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). A preproduction unit has successfully undergone extensive qualification testing (performance, lifetime, climate chamber: high and low temperature, altitude, EMC, transport climate, shock and vibration) to prove that it is able to cope with the harsh environmental conditions at its final destination at Cerro Paranal, Chile.
We currently have at Lastek a Toptica Femtofibre Pro laser that is available for the next few months for trials and demos. This is a very compact , robust and simple to operate, SESAM modelocked femtosecond laser.
TOPTICA's high-power, narrow-band diode lasers now provide an expanded color spectrum thanks to newly developed Tapered Amplifiers (TAs). These TAs are available exclusively from TOPTICA and allow for new IR, visible and UV wavelengths!With the novel TA-chips, TOPTICA's high-power diode laser TA pro now offers output power up to 400 mW around 685 nm and up to 2 W between 1120 nm and 1190 nm. And the frequency-converted systems TASHG pro and TA-FHG pro now provide the highest output power also in the green-yellow (560 595 nm) and the UV (280 297 nm) spectral range. The newly developed TAs replace previously required fiber amplifiers and create a less complex setup for high output power at these wavelengths. These systems generate output power of up to 1000 mW easily and economically.
Major applications benefit from these new systems: laser cooling of stronti-um (689 nm), erbium (583 nm), sodium (589 nm) or magnesium (285 nm); optical clocks based on ytterbium (578 nm) or magnesium ions (281 nm); and high-resolution spectroscopy (e.g. europium yttrium orthosilicate, 580 nm).
Toptica have released their all new 2012 "Lasers for Scientific Challenges" Catalogue. Download here.
The FemtoFiber smart family is TOPTICA 's new series of ultrafast fibre lasers. These systems are dedicated to applications ranging from biopho-tonics to terahertz generation and two-photon polymerization. Optimized for a compact footprint uniting optics and electronics in one box, these robust all-fibre lasers are the perfect choice for flexible OEM integration.
Dr. Ian Spielman and Prof. Gora Shlyapnikov honored for their contributions to the field of Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC)
During the Bose-Einstein Conference in Sant Feliu (Spain), Dr. Jürgen Stuhler (TOPTICA Photonics AG) presented the two BEC Awards 2011, to Prof. Gora Shlyapnikov (recipient of the Senior Award) and to Dr. Ian Spielman (recipient of the Junior award). The two prices honor "outstanding research in Experimental and/or Theoretical Physics of Quantum Degenerate Atomic Gases". They are awarded biannually during the BEC Conference Series and are presented to a Senior and a Junior academic leader in the field, selected by an independent international Jury. "TOPTICA sponsors the price in order to recognize the ever astonishing advances in the field of Quantum Degenerate Gases and the impact this has had on the development of our company", Wilhelm Kaenders CEO of TOPTICA Photonics stated. "We stay committed to this exciting field of research also for the future and are proud to contribute with these newly founded awards."
miniMOT – create your own laser cooled atomic cloud.
TOPTICA Photonics AG – key supplier of lasers, locking electronics and spectroscopy units for laser cooling experiments – have announced, in cooperation with ColdQuanta Inc., the release of the first commercial Magneto Optical Trap kit . A magneto-optical trap (MOT) – the most popular laser cooling and trapping setup – requires a vacuum system with optical access that contains the atomic species to be trapped and a magnetic quadrupole field. All this is now available in a compact setup. Together with narrow linewidth, frequency stabilized TOPTICA lasers (TA pro, DL pro, DL DFB), spectroscopy modules and locking electronics, a running MOT can easily be realized. Laser-cooled and trapped atoms are modern instruments for high precision measurements, fundamental research and student education.
Diode-based system for laser cooling of sodium
The latest addition to TOPTICA 's SHG pro series of frequency-converted diode lasers is a novel continuous-wave system with an output power of 2 Watt at 589 nm. The new DL RFA SHG pro features a linewidth of less than 1 MHz and a mode hop free tuning range of more than 10 GHz and is thus ideally suited for laser cooling of sodium. It presents a stable and easy-to-use alternative to the intricate dye lasers used previously that required frequent maintenance and water cooling.
Toptica's Digilock 110 Digital Laser Stabilization System offers the ideal versatile solution for laser control, characterisation, stabilization and analysis. Now, a series of video tutorials have been released online by Toptica. If you're new to the Digilock series, or wondering if this is the right tool for you, this three part series will be of interest. Part 1 give an overview and introduction to the technique. Part 2 introduces you to a simple locking technique using the PID modul. Part 3 covers gradually increases the complexity of the set-up and introdduces some more advanced techniques.
TOPTICA presents direct diode technology at 515 nm . So far, the green wavelength regime has not been accessible directly with laser diodes. Integrated in TOPTICA's OEM diode laser iBeam smart, the new wavelength was recently demonstrated live at Photonics West. Other newly available wavelengths are 395 nm (120 mW), 420 nm (120 mW) and 460 nm (100 mW). Furthermore high power versions of 445 nm (100 mW) and 473 nm (80 mW) are available starting now. These new wavelengths will be integrated in the iBeam smart, the new fiber-pigtailed diode laser iBeam smart PT and TOPTICA's new multi laser engine, the iChrome MLE.
TOPTICA presents new cw THz System with 1.5 µm lasers
At the recent Photonics West exhibition, TOPTICA Photonics presented the most compact frequency-domain terahertz spectrometer built to-date. The system combines TOPTICA's new TeraBeam, a highly integrated twocolor diode laser, with newly developed InGaAs/InP emitter and detector technology (Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz Institute, Berlin, Germany).
The new cw THz system features a fast scan option, which reduces the acquisition times in cw THz spectroscopy by more than two orders of magnitude and acquires a complete THz spectrum (e.g. 50-1200 GHz, sub-GHz resolution) in less than a minute. Thus far, research in the field of frequency-domain (cw) terahertz has largely been carried out with GaAs photomixers, requiring laser wavelengths below 870 nm. Whilst excellent results in terms of bandwidth and signal quality have been obtained, the complexity of the optical source and a variety of non-standard optical components resulted in a price level inadequate for widespread industrial use.
TOPTICA is presenting a tunable "ultra compressed pulse" (UCP) model of the successful FemtoFiber pro series. The system provides a supercontinuum between 980 – 1400 nm and more than 30 mW output power. It features pulse durations even below 25 fs, the shortest one can get on the market from a modelocked fiber laser system. The system is ideally suited for biophotonics, pump-probe experiments or fs-spectroscopy.
TOPTICA's new FemtoFErb is a turnkey laser system providing 100 mW average power at 1560 nm and a pulse duration of less than 150 fs at 100 MHz repetition rate. Using the same compact platform as TOPTICA's PicoFYb, the FemtoFErb is a robust all-fiber setup based on Erbium doped fiber and saturable absorber mirror mode-locking (SAM) technology. The compact system includes all necessary control electronics and is equipped with a direct polarization maintaining fiber output interface. The FemtoFErb is an ideal solution for Time-Domain Terahertz generation or for metrology applications allowing highest accuracy laser-based distance measurements.
Also recently released: The new FemtoFiber pro UCP provides a super-continuum between 980 – 1400 nm and more than 30 mW output power. It shows pulse durations even below 25 fs, the fastest one can get on the market from a turnkey SAM modelocked fiber laser system. The system is ideally suited for biophotonics, pump-probe experiments or fs?spectroscopy. The UCP option expands TOPTICA's successful FemtoFiber proseries and will be live demonstrated at the forthcoming Ultrafast Phenomena conference exhibition.
Lastek's Andrew Gibson-White visitted Swinburne University's Centre for Atom Optics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy this week on behalf of Toptica. His pleasant task was to present Dr Chris Vale, the winner of Toptica's recent global competition, with his brand new iPad. Our photographer captured the moment when Andrew (above left) presented the iPad to Chris (right). Chris kindly thanked Toptica, and said he was "surprised, and very excited" to learn that his entry had been the one drawn out of the hundreds of entries received. Congratulations Chris!
Orange Laser Guide Star in operation at the Very Large Telescope VLT of ESO, on the top of mountain Cerro Paranal in Chile.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) at Paranal, Chile, will be equipped with four cw high power Laser Guide Stars on the basis of amplified and frequency-doubled diode laser systems. Narrow band and diffraction-limited laser light sources of more than 20 W exactly on Sodium resonance at 589 nm start a new phase at the European Southern Observatory. Against strong international competitors, TOPTICA won now the final development and supply contract which foresees a deployment of the lasers at the telescope in Sept 2013.
TOPTICA, drawing on its many years of experience in the field of narrow band and tunable diode laser, has joined forces with the Canadian company MPB Communications. A combination of a novel narrow-band Raman fiber amplifier approach at 1178 nm developed by MPBC subsequently is converted to 589 nm by resonantly enhanced frequency-doubling technology. Based on TOPTICA's scientific product series, conversion efficiencies of more than 80 % have been demonstrated.
Toptica'sTA / FA SHG pro – Frequency Doubled, High Power Tunable Diode Laser received anhonourable mention at the recent 2010 CLEO/Laser Focus World Innovation Awards.
The judges recognised Toptica for "the creation of a tunable, narrow-linewidth, high-power (30 W), 589 nm yellow laser for guide star , spectroscopy, LIDAR, phototherapy, and other visible and near-IR applications."
Toptica have launched an all-new website. Like their products, it bristles with smart design and crisp engineering. It includes detailed product descriptions, as one would expect, in addition to many extras including extensive applications notes (in quantum optics, biophotonics, microscopy, terahertz and semicon inspection), a seriously helpful "Laserfinder" feature, and a library of very detailed troubleshooting guides and technical manuals.
Dr. Thomas Renner, VP Sales & Marketing said: "We are quite excited about the new key visual from the field of snooker and billiards. It perfectly symbolizes the world of colorful photons and atoms, physics, our company logo and last but not least our slogan A Passion for Precision." OPTICA engaged 5 time German champion and TOPTICA neighbor Thomas Gollowitsch as billiard model.
And if all of that is not quite enough to encourage visitors to click through to the new site, Toptica have hidden a small picture of Albert Einstein, somewhere on one of the many online pages. If you can find it, you're in the running to win a free iPad . We're still looking.
Basic modules of the modular electronic system for operation of diode lasers are current and temperature controls. Other add-on modules are available. The range of products is steadily growing due to acute customer demand.
DC110 Series - electronic modules
Stand-alone units
The complete terahertz portfolio! TOPTICA takes pride in being the only company worldwide that offers pulsed and cw lasers for terahertz spectroscopy, as well as all-electronic 3D imaging systems. Our products comprise:
The DL 100 / pro design combines the advantages of two successful TOPTICA lasers: all diodes for the DL 100 are available in the superior mechanical design of the pro series . The pro series mechanics is ultra stable and easy to use. The DL 100 / pro design specifications depend strongly on the implemented laser diode and are given in TOPTICA's laser diode stock lists.
Specify your wavelength – Toptica can provide it.
TOPTICA offers a large variety of wavelength-selected single-mode laser diodes from stock. Among more standard laser diodes, you will find "pearls" such as 397 nm, 715 nm or 1120 nm right from our stocklist, wavelengths for which we are probably the only supplier in the world.TOPTICA can integrate any diode from the stock lists into a tunable diode laser system, however, you can also purchase the diode separately. Each type of diode is carefully tested in an external cavity laser configuration with respect to coarse tuning range, mode-hop-free tuning range and power limits. The results are disclosed on request to the customer in a detailed datasheet.In case you can still not match your wavelength of choice, call us – and chances are very high that we can provide it within very short time.
Nice price diodes are either diodes, that have been superseded by better diodes or that do not run nicely in ECDL setups. Nice price diodes will not be integrated into ECDLs by TOPTICA.
In these downloads you will find wavelengths, output powers and part numbers on our regularly updated stock lists. Give us a call and we will make a reservation for the particular diode of choice for you.
It's been a busy year for innovation at Toptica Photonics, who have recently released a swag of new products. Click on links to read the news releases describing:
New iBeam Smart: The ultra-compact diode laser
New FemtoFibre Pro : Next generation of femtosecond fibre lasers
pro Series Completed: Best specifications and hands-off operation
new OEM 325nm Diode Laser : Toptica break through the wavelength/power curve
new cw Terahertz Spectroscopy kit : Integrating leading edge photomixer technology
TOPTICA offers the widest wavelength coverage for diode lasers. The Research Grade Diode Lasers cater to the vast majority of spectroscopic applications in physics, chemistry and life sciences. Tunable single-mode and single-frequency lasers now cover wavelengths from 375 to 3000 nm. Spectral gaps and the deep UV regime down to 200 nm are closed by our frequency converted lasers (NLO series). Our industrial diode lasers combine first class diode technology and rock-solid opto-mechanical engineering, completed by convenient computer-control and intelligent protection measures - with record diode laser power at e.g. 405, 488 or 640 nm.
Browse all Toptica products here.
TOPTICA is the world leader in diode laser and ultrafast fiber technology for industrial and scientific markets. Their products and capabilities also extend into optical data storage test and reference technology, biophotonics, microscopy, flow cytometry and THz generation.
Ultrafast fs and ps Fiber Lasers from Toptica
Next generation ultrafast fiber lasers for research and industry
Toptica's growing range of next-generation ultrafast fiber lasers encompasses a broad selection of output power, wavelength range and timescale regimes. Click "read more" to see detailed matrix of available models.
Ultrafast Fiber Lasers
TOPTICA introduced its first tunable diode laser systems in 1995. Ever since, we have been dedicated to stay ahead in terms of power, wavelength coverage and variety. We scan the market for available laser diodes and cooperate with numerous manufacturers to supply customized new wavelengths and powers. At present our laser diodes cover the range from 373 to 3000 nm with only few gaps and more wavelengths are continuously being added. In addition, well-equipped testing facilities for diode characterization and lifetime measurements ensure accurate specifications, reliable laser operation and constant high quality.
Distributed feedback (DFB) lasers offer wide frequency tuning and high output power in a compact, rugged setup. The frequency selective element – a Bragg grating – is integrated into the active section of the semiconductor and ensures single-frequency operation without any bulk optics. A wide variety of DFB diodes is available from stock; custom wavelengths can be provided even in low quantities.
The DL pro is the ultimate tunable diode laser. Its revolutionary mechanical design allows both easy operation and extreme stability at the same time. The underlying Littrow geometry allows for highest output powers, and optimum mode-hop free tuning is realized with a perfectly positioned virtual pivot point for the grating movement.
In the past, the output of semiconductor lasers was limited and insufficient for a variety of applications. The facets of single-mode laser diodes (typically 1 x 3 ìm) suffer optical damage at high power levels, whereas with larger facets the desired spatial mode properties cannot be maintained. Powerful tunable CW light could thus only be generated with vast solid-state lasers or dye ring laser systems alongside with expensive pump sources.
TOPTICA managed to overcome these limitations with the development of the tapered amplifier TA 100. This laser system, introduced in 1998, offers not only high power, but also excellent beam quality and an extremely narrow linewidth. Researchers further benefit from convenient tunability, lowest operational costs and long lifetimes.
Impressive though the success story of semiconductor lasers has been, there are still several spectral "gaps", wavelengths that cannot be directly accessed with laser diodes. However, nonlinear frequency conversion techniques can be employed to generate tunable laser radiation in the UV, blue and green spectral range. TOPTICA offers state-of-the-art laser systems based on second harmonic generation (SHG), sum frequency generation (SFG) and fourth harmonic generation (FHG).
The SHG pro is the device of choice if existing lasers are to be frequency doubled. Designed in TOPTICA's pro technology, it unites highly stable performance and convenient operation. Mirror and crystal holders can be adjusted without opening the resonator cover. A wide range of non-linear crystals covers SHG wavelengths from 205 to 800 nm. TOPTICA offers competent support for adapting the unit to customer requirements.
Laser Safety Australia is a division of Lastek, offering a full range of laser safety equipment and expert advice. Our range includes laser safety eyewear, laser safety signs, enclosures, windows, blinds, shields, interlocks and more. Talk to us today to arrange a comprehensive laser safety audit of your facility. More information here.
OpticsShop is Lastek's own consolidated shipping service from the USA, offering savings for internet orders on optics, photonics and more. Call Jessica or Lorien on 1800 88 2215 to find out more.
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ERIC Number: ED252282
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1984-Aug-10
Pages: 93
Abstractor: N/A
Reference Count: N/A
Better Federal Program Administration Can Contribute to Improving State Foster Care Programs.
Comptroller General of the U.S., Washington, DC.
The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 provides for annual federal incentive payments to states if they improve foster care programs by (1) avoiding unnecessary removal of children from their homes; (2) preventing extended stays in foster care; and (3) reunifying children with their families or placing them for adoption. To be eligible for funds, states must conduct an inventory of all children in foster care, operate a statewide information system on each child, and have a case review system that meets certain requirements. This report from the Government Accounting Office (GAO) discusses the guidance the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has given to states and reports how HHS has determined whether states have complied with requirements. Besides obtaining information from HHS, in 1982 the GAO investigated implementation of the Act in seven states. The GAO concluded that confusion as to state eligibility for funds occurred because HHS neglected to provide specific guidelines for interpreting the law and because it failed to require implementation of all the Act's requirements. The GAO recommends that HHS revise the program regulations and undertake new compliance reviews. Appendices include results of the GAO review of seven states' implementation of the Act and letters from four of the seven states and from HHS commenting on the preliminary version of this report. (CB)
Descriptors: Adoption, Eligibility, Federal Legislation, Federal State Relationship, Foster Care, Guidelines, Incentive Grants, Program Evaluation, State Federal Aid, State Programs
U.S. General Accounting Office, Document Handling and Information Services Facility, P.O. Box 6015, Gaithersburg, MD 20760 (First five copies of an individual report are free of charge. Additional copies require a fee).
Publication Type: Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Comptroller General of the U.S., Washington, DC.
Identifiers - Location: Colorado; Maine; Maryland; South Carolina; Tennessee; Utah; Virginia
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act 1980


text:
CHARTER DATE: July 12, 1982
POST NAMESAKE: Christopher R. Seitz
FIRST COMMANDER: Christopher R. Sietz
WHAT MAKES OUR POST UNIQUE: The Post Meets at Brevard Veterans Memorial Center on Merritt Island. HISTORY: During the Post Vietnam Era, Post 344 was formed by Christopher R. Sietz. The post noted as a Vietnam Era Veterans Memorial Post 344, Merritt Island, Florida. At.. Read more »


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Mideast Timeline
Following is a 14-day timeline of events leading up to Thursday's violence between Israelis and Palestinians:
Sept. 28 : Israel's hard-line opposition leader Ariel Sharon visits a Jerusalem shrine holy to Jews and Muslims. Angered by the visit, Palestinians riot. Dozens of police and several Palestinians are injured.
Sept. 29 : Six Palestinians...


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Monogrammed Knit Crib Blanket you can personalize this blanket any way you choose...Choose your blanket style, background color, monogram/trim color.
Please note that we can only do the font and either name or monogram that is shown on the blanket. For example if a monogram is on the blanket that is the only way that style will be able to be done in. Font included. Please note that each style has a set way the monogram or font can be done. We can not change these options. You can only change the color choices of yarns and the text for Monogram or name.
Perfect for a shower gift, graduation gift, or one for yourself!!!
This blanket is 36" x 53". made from acrylic yarn


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Bluebloods : April 2010
THE on-the-line tussle of the first two home in Australia's greatest and toughest sprint, the $1m Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March, was another showcase for sires based in the Hunter Valley, one of the world's premier thoroughbred regions. In particular, the quinella, provided in order of finish by Wanted and Eagle Falls, was a very pleasant result for three of the giants of Hunter Valley breeding - the Thompson family's historic Widden, the John Messara- headed Arrowfield and Ireland-owned Coolmore. They cannot claim the glory of being the breeders of either Wanted (bred by Ron Gilbert's Highgrove Stud, Darling Downs) or Eagle Falls (another good galloper bred by George Altomonte's Corumbene Stud, Dunedoo, NSW), but the sires of both horses, Fastnet Rock (Coolmore) and Hussonet (USA) (Arrowfield), are two of the outstanding sources of winners currently in use in the Hunter Valley. The joy of the Widden Stud management at the result, particularly the win of Wanted, lies in the fact that the stud astutely stitched him up in February for future sire use. That arrangement was followed a few days later by an impeded fourth in the Oakleigh Plate and then on March 6 the victory in the Newmarket. Now a $1m earner, Wanted was collecting his fifth successive Gr.1 cheque when successful in the Newmarket as his Oakleigh Plate effort had been preceded by close seconds in the Victoria Racing Club Stakes (Flemington), Lightning Stakes (Flemington) and William Reid (Moonee Valley). Coolmore also had other reasons to be well pleased with the Newmarket result including the effort of the third placed Choisir three year-old colt Starspangledbanner, who has won two Gr.1 events at Caulfield, the Caulfield Guineas and the Lightning Stakes, and who now transfers to Coolmore ownership and heads off on an international campaign and subsequent sire use for Coolmore in both hemispheres. Also owners of Choisir, Coolmore has yearlings by him and also Wanted's sire Fastnet Rock in its draft for Australia's most prestigious thoroughbred market, the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale to be held at the Newmarket Stables, Randwick on April 6, 7 and 8. The huge contribution Coolmore makes to Australian breeding and racing is shown by the fact its sires, including Encosta de Lago (56 lots), Fastnet Rock (44), Choisir (11), Dehere (USA) (13), Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) (15), Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) (29) and Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) (10), have more than 180 yearlings in the Easter catalogue. Wanted, the latest Gr.1 star by a Coolmore sire, is an $800,000 graduate of the Inglis Easter Sale, the traditional outlet for the best bred yearlings by the Hunter Valley sires, including those raised in the paddocks of its premier studs and agistment farms. The 614-lot collection for the 2010 sale includes more than 500 by Hunter Valley sires and 400 on account of the region's vendors. In addition to the Coolmore sires, the well established winner getters with strong representation this year include Flying Spur (55), Redoute's Choice (47), Exceed and Excel (33), More Than Ready (USA) (29), Commands (14), Al Maher (12), Elusive Quality (14), Anabaa (USA) (9), Danzero (9), Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) (15), Hussonet (USA) (17), Lonhro (13), Testa Rossa (8) and General Nediym (6). In addition glamour Hunter Valley sires represented whose oldest are two-year-olds or yearlings include Nadeem (23), Holy Roman Emperor (10), Snitzel (10), Starcraft (12) and Stratum (6). The biggest Hunter Valley consignors are Amarina Farm (21), Arrowfield (25), Attunga (8), Bellerive (11), Brooklyn Lodge (14), Coolmore (45), Cressfield (8), Emirates Park (16), Evergreen (8), Glastonbury (8), Goodwood Farm (8), Kitchwin Hills (20), Patinack Farm (9), Rothwell Park (8), Sefton Park (11), Segenhoe (12), Southern Cross Breeders (10), Toolooganvale (8), Torryburn (20), Turangga (10), Twin Palms (12), Vinery (24), Widden (28), Willow Park (14) and Yarraman Park (19). Redoute's Choice sons are firing A YOUNG Widden-based sire represented in that stud's draft is Stratum, a Redoute's Choice product who is the fourth Golden Slipper winner Widden has used and who has had stakes winners. The others were champion sires Todman, Marscay and Vain - the sire of the grandams of Stratum and Starspanglebanner, to mention two most recent stars. Stratum's first youngsters are two year-olds and on early showing he looks a very good prospect to be another successful Golden Slipper-winning sire. Stratum made a big impact when, in a space of four days in late February, he was represented by Crystal Lilly (won the Chairman's Stakes-LR at Caulfield by 4.75 lengths), Rose of Scotland (3.25 lengths winner of the Magic Millions Classic at Launceston) and Gannochy (third in Perth). Snitzel, another brilliant son of Redoute's Choice with first crop two year-olds, is challenging as one of the most exciting young sires to appear in Australia in recent years. In the powerhouse of sires gathered at Arrowfield near Scone, the MRC Oakleigh Plate and AJC Challenge Stakes winner and VRC Newmarket runner-up was the leading first season sire on earnings and second to deceased General Nediym on the main juvenile list at the end of February. Snitzel had at that time six individual winners, the same number as Stratum, including unbeaten much fancied Golden Slipper candidate Chance Bye. His Slipper respect meant the Arrowfield Stud, one of the most elite sources of quality in history, had at early March three of its sires supplying one each of the three most fancied Slipper candidates. The other two are Solar Charged (in the second crop of the Red Ransom (USA)-sired AJC The Galaxy winner and short-neck Slipper second Charge Forward) and Beneteau (by Redoute's Choice). Headway, a first crop Charge Forward filly, finished second in last year's Slipper. Classic glory is tipped for many of the progeny of Starcraft, another Arrowfield sire who has started April 2010 INGLIS AUSTRALIAN EASTER YEARLING SALE by B. Russell, K. Manning, D. Bay, S. Archer HUNTER EXCELLENCE - Easter highlights major studs M.G. Fastnet Rock (Danehill (USA)-Piccadilly Circus by Royal Academy (USA)) 6
Inglis Sydney Classic
Tyreel Easter Yearlings
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The California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District affirmed sentences for Rashon Abernathy, Shaquille Jordan and Seandell Jones on counts of robbery and murder.he three defendants were convicted to 25 years to life (Jordan and Jones) and 50 years to life (Abernathy) of robbery, shooting a vehicle and stealing and driving a car unlawfully. In addition, Rashon Abernathy was found guilty for another robbery case.
In the first case in May of2011, Abernathy placed a Craigslist advertisement for a MacBook Pro computer. On May 5th, after communicating with a potential buyer, Eric Castillo, via SMS messages, Abernathy and his friend met Castillo at a recreation center. When Castillo produced $600 in cash for the computer, Abernathy's friend grabbed the money and ran away together with him. Castillo gave chase, but, as he came nearer the robbers, Abernathy drew and pointed a gun at Castillo and said: "I am going to [expletive] kill you." Castillo abandoned the chase and called 911 shortly afterwards. The other two defendants, Shaquille Jordan and Seandell Jones were not involved in this robbery.
The second robbery happened on May 11 and all three defendants were involved. Abernathy, using the same Craigslist advertisement scheme was supposed to meet with Gareth Berki, age 18, in front of the school. Berki arrived at 9:15 pm along with his girlfriend Alejandra Faudoa, when he received a call that the meeting place has changed and that Abernathy is waiting for him in an apartment complex in the neighborhood. During the discussion that occurred there, Jones produced and pointed a gun at Berki. The two defendants took $640 that Berki had on him, as well as cell phones from Berki and Faudoa and ran. After being robbed Berki and Faudoa waited in the car for a few minutes, before deciding to report the robbery to the police. They spotted Abernathy, Jordan and Jones in a Honda and decided to follow them in order to get the license plates. The two cars ended in a dead-end street and stopped when the defendants drove next to Berki's car. This is where Abernathy aimed a gun through the backseat window and shot at Berki, hitting him in the left chest. Berki was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Abernathy, Jordan and Jones argued on appeal that the jury did not find that the target felony (robbery) ended at the point when they got to the place of temporary safety. According to them, the trial court failed to instruct this. The given sentences were unconstitutional both under the federal and under the State of California law. The defendants claimed that the trial court issued unusual and cruel punishments. The trial court, the defendants also argued, did not calculate their presentence custody credits correctly. Abernathy and Jones also contended the evidence regarding them taking and driving a vehicle unlawfully and claimed that it wasn't enough to support the trial court's decision. Furthermore, Jones also claimed that the Abstract of Judgment failed to address the fact that his sentence for shooting at an occupied vehicle (count 4 of the case), for which he is to serve a 5-year sentence, was delayed by the trial court as per section 654.
The Court of Appeal reviewed considered these arguments and held that the trial court did fail to instruct with the "escape rule" for felony murder. However, this mistake was not prejudicial. Abernathy's and Jones' conviction on account of taking and driving a vehicle unlawfully was based on sufficient evidence. The Court of Appeal also didn't find the defendant's claim that their sentences were cruel or unusual punishment had enough merit to be overturned or lessened. Abernathy's and Jones' judgments should be adapted for an extra day of presentence custody credit. Finally, the Court of Appeal also ordered that a clerical error in the Jones' Abstract of Judgment is to be corrected so that it correctly reflects that the sentence on shooting an occupied vehicle on count 4 is true to Penal Code section 654. The Court of Appeal affirmed the judgments for Abernathy, Jordan and Jones on all other aspects.
The best defense in a criminal case is interposed at trial. It is an uphill battle in most cases to overturn judgments and sentences on appeal. The attorney you hire for a criminal jury trial is one of the most important decisions you can make. If you are facing serious charges and the threat to your liberty, contact the Johnson Criminal Law Group today.


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Kijana Jiajiri!
Nothing more comforting than seeing programmes supporting young Tanzanian entrepreneurs, Are you an entrepreneur? Hop on to Kijana Jiajiri they'e supporting young entrepreneurs all across Tanzania, see some of their work below
Kijana Jiajiri is a dedicated programme to promote entrepreneurship among under-served young Tanzanians and provide them with the practical support they need to get started and grow in business.The overall goal of the programme is to empower young Tanzanians to establish or enhance their businesses through which they can provide employment to themselves and others, create wealth and fight poverty.Kijana Jiajiri is being implemented jointly by Youth Business International, the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC), and Tanzania Entrepreneurship and Competiveness Centre (TECC). In its initial 12 month pilot phase (Q2 2015 – Q1 2016), Kijana Jiajiri aims to operate in two locations and support 200 young adults with entrepreneurship training and create 100 business start-ups.


text: So it's here - the very last day of year 2014. Fireworks are already cracking (to be honest they are cracking almost whole week :D) and I believe we are ready to say goodbye to 14 and welcome 15. For me it was a good year - I created Classy Hunter (and renamed it like hundred times). I finaly found the courage to start blogging. I cut my hair into a pixie cut. I also decided to start visiting fashion design lessons - the best decision in my life. For the next year I would like to write more posts and make them more interesting for readers:D. So, see you in next year!


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Welcome to Dominic Russell
We are pleased to introduce our newest team member Dom Russell. For all of you who have said to us over time, it can be hard to get appointments because you get busy; help is at hand. Dom has spent the last month with us in the practice observing and training. He has now started taking on a full case load.
Dom grew up locally and recently graduated from Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Whilst studying he volunteered as a physiotherapist at various sporting events including the City to Surf, GPS Basketball and State and local Netball. He has also worked as a volunteer Physiotherapist with disabled children in Vietnam and with local intellectually disabled members of our community helping them to integrate into the community.
Dom brings with him first-hand experience in a variety of sports including surfing, running (half marathons), rugby, touch football, swimming and tennis. This also means he has had experience of being a patient at Physiotherapy practices. Being an injured athlete gives great insight into what it feels like to be on the receiving end of treatment.
Published in "The Village Observer", April, 2017. Written by Burns Bay Physiotherapy.


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Some (Interesting) Statistic on London Cycle Hires
Disclaimer: I have never cycled in London.
Let's try to use a very small data set ( the number of cycle hire every day since 2010 from TFL ) to find some trends about cycle-hiring in London.
Primary Data
We can observe a similiar concave-like trend every year. The number of cycle hires increases gradually from January to May, remains faily constant till September, and decreases till December.
The total number of hires is gradually increasing from 2011 to 2014, with a drop from 2012 to 2013.
|2015 (up to July)
Aside from that, the signal obtained from this data seems like random fluctuations / noise that does not exhibit any interesting local patterns (aside from a very large peak in July 2015). Hence, let's try deriving some secondary data!
Secondary Data
I have calculated the proportion of hires in a day-of-week (eg: Monday, Tuesday) over the last 5 years. For example, if there are a total of 100 bicycle hires at the week starting 5 July 2010 and there are 20 hires on Monday, the value of Monday for the week starting 5 July 2010 will be assigned a value of 0.20. In case you still do not understand what proportion in our context mean, please refer the appendix.
Interestingly, this simple data transformation seems to present us some additional information:
Here are the average proportions by day of week over the last 5 years:
|Day of Week
|Average Proportion
The average proportion of hires on weekends (0.116725) is noticable lower than (0.1533), a difference of approximately 27%.
The following is the varience and average deviation (note, not standard deviation to prevent numerical problems) of the above entries:
|Day of Week
|Average deviation
The varience in proportion of hires on weekends (0.00092127) is much higher than those of weekdays (0.0005730) 46.61%.
Over the course of 260 weeks, there are approximately 13 significant peaks / statistical outliers. I will leave finding them a challenge for the readers.
Interpreting the Statistics
The following section will be biased towards how I interpret the statitstics above.
Based on the timeseries graph above, Londoners prefer not to cycle when the weather is cold, especially during winter.
The number of cyclists over the course of 4 years (2011 - 2014) is gradually increasing. The slight drop in 2013 might be due to air pollitions problems (ref: airqualitynews ). [ You probably won't agree with this if you are a Londoner, because air pollution simply became worse in the following year , read on more a better argument! ].
The average proportion on weekends are significantly lower than those on the weekdays. This suggest that the borus bikes are indeed hired as a mean of transport by the general populus. (This might sound obvious, but in some places (eg: my hometown, Penang, Malaysia) there are specialized public transports for tourists).
An interesting little observation can be made from the average deviation. A much higher average deviaion suggest that cycle hiring on weekends a more likely for non-recurring purposes (eg: meeting a friend for coffee).
Throughout the years, a proportion peak is observed during Christmas. This is probably due to the closure of tube stations. In 2011 and 2013 (i.e. Christmas is in 2011, so by 2011 i mean end of 2011), the maximum peak at Christmas is followed by a minimum peak on new year. In other years, the cycle hires at New Year is near the week's average. This may suggest that the populus prefer not to cycle during the festive season or holidays whenever possible. This in turn explains the size of the small peak during Christmas, despite the tube closure. (Although a more proper argument is Londoners prefer not to travel during holidays, we can't draw that conclusion without referring to data from other forms of transportation).
A small peak during christmas
There is a very large peak in 9 July 2015. It turns out that the London Underground was suffering from one of the worst tube strikes in years (ref: BBC News). In fact, the highest number of cycle over the last five years was achieved that day (see timeseries graph below) at 73094 hires, more than three times the average over the last 5 years (23336.57 hires / day)!. There is a high chance that a high proportion of the 73094 hires are first timers. My argument will follow shortly.
A large peak due to tube strike
Similiarly, the closure on 28 November 2010 is due to a less severe tube strike (ref: BBC News). As consequences of it was much more insignificant than that in July 2015, the peak is less sharp. It may also be coupled by the fact that people prefer taking longer tube routes than cycle when the winter approaches.
A tube strike in 28 November 2010 also featured a peak, but it's much smaller than those of 9 July 2015
Furthermore, @tmhrtly also suggested that before 3 December 2010, resgistration is required prior to cycle hiring (ref: http://road.cc/content/news/27682-barclays-cycle-hire-scheme-opens-non-members-next-friday).
Comparing the two tube strikes (2015 vs 2010):
Cycle hiring required prior registration in 2010. This prevents people from simply rolling up to a bike by the road without previously registering.
Besides that, another implicit factor is technology. Smartphones are not as widespread in 2010, preventing people from getting first hand information about tube strikes and hence, planning journeys in advance efficiently.
(I'd take this opportunity to appreciate how much technology has changed in just 5 years!)
From interpreting the data, with some biased subjective opinions:
Londoners cycle primarily when: (In the order of significance)
- Tube strikes occur ( causes sudden peaks in the proportion graph )
- They need to get to work ( more cycle hires on weekdays than weekends )
Londoners adjust their cycling schedules based on the weather, prefering not to cycle during winter. ( more cycle hires on summer than winter )
Londoners prefer not to cycle during holidays. Occasionally (inpredictable how often), Londoners prefer to hire cycle for non-recurring visits. ( the higher average deviation during weekends )
Londoners will prefer to cycle during a scheduled closures, but the effect is much less significant than tube strikes. ( trends in christmas and new year )
EDIT : It doesn't end here, read the follow up section below!
Edit: A Little Follow Up
After sharing this article at reddit , I have got some pretty interesting feedback and suggestions. I did some extra research on the data and here is what I have found:
Summer Olympics 2012
Firstly, thanks /u/greymutt for pointing out Summer Olympics in Summer 2012. Somehow, it has completely slipped through my eye.
The summer olympics does have some impact on the july-august data.
|July Hires
|August Hires
|Percentage change
NB: I dropped 2010 and 2015, because they lacked July and August data respectively
In the other years, the number of hires dropped from July to August consistently by approximately 10% every year but 2012. (I find the consistency rather intriguing; ping me @fyquah95 if you know why). The summer olympics took place in August 2012, which saw a rise in the number of hires from July to August of 14.691%.
Studying the upward trend
While I have mentioned that there is an upward trend, there seem to be an sudden surge in 2012. The graph below shall graph a little more context:
Although there is an upward trend, we can observe a large surge in Summer 2012 (especially August).
To save you from time from scrolling up, here is the annual total number of cycle hires again:
I initially argued that the disruption of a upward trend was caused by the surge in Summer 2012 due to the olympics. It turns out that I might be right, but only partially.
Let's make an assumption : assuming we hypothetically remove all the cycle hires during both the summer olympics and paralympics. The numbers are 642,000 and 442,000 respectively (ref: House of Commons) which sums up to 1,084,000.
NB: Of course, this assumes that noone are hiring cycles during the olympics, which is of course a wrong claim. However, it should be a reasonably good estimate, factoring the traffic caused by the the pre/posts-olympic events.
Substract that number from the current table, we get:
There is something fishy about the upwards trend. A safe assumption of an upward trend would be somewhere between 8,006,889 to 8,198,979. I calculated the range via:
(+- (+ (/ (- 10023897 7142449) 3) 712449) 0.1)
Or, in more familiar mathematical notations:
delta = (10023897-7142449) / 3;
lowerbound = 7142449 + 0.9 * delta;
upperbound = 7142449 + 1.1 * delta;
The best possible explainations for the 2012 number I can think of are:
- officials / workers visiting London to prepare for the Olympics before the event
- some players staying in London after the tournament
- tourists visiting the olympic stadiums
My above explainations are based on the fact that the higher number of cycle-hires are pretty evenly distributed throghout the year. Here are the data from randomly chosen months of the year:
From 2011 to 2012, these months, 3 of which are not associated to the Olympics, has shown increase in number of hires
You can see data of the other months (though I feel it is probably not necessary) here:
The Summer olympics has answered part of the question.
What happened in 2013? Why did most months show a decrease in cycle hires?
NB: most means 10 out of 12, including two of the olympic months. Even if we remove those two, 8 out of 12 is a fairly large portion of the year
We see a decrease from 9,519,283 to 8,045,459. I did argue that an air pollution warning might the reason for the sharp decrease, but that argument might be invalid
- air pollution simply worsen in 2014.
/u/matstace pointed out (in the reddit post) that the borus bike double there access charges at New Year 2013, due to inflation (ref: standard.co.uk).
Initially, I suspected the number of Borris Bike usage will decrease to a minimum peak for the week at New Year 2013. It turns out the claim was invalid:
The Proportion chart, zoomed in to the week starting 30 December 2012. New Years' day is the green line on the week starting 30 Dec 2012
Instead of doing a one-day protest on the price change, Londoners simply started usingh the bikes less frequently over the course of the year. Londoners might have opted for purchasing their own bikes in response to the price increase (In my opinion that's probably the most rational course of action, both emotionally and mathematically). Since we do not have (and are not going to) use such data, we will not explore it further.
Free Access Weekend
/u/FrancisField suggested that there are dates where the borrus bikes are free for access. Logically, I'd expect those dates to be during winter, simply because people are less likely to cycle.
I tried looking for the proportions graph for a maximum peak and found it with some effort.
Notice the (rather small) pale red peak
At first glance, this peak doesn't seem peaky enough to qualify as one. However, if you remember the proportion table from one of the sections above:
This peak we have here falls on a weekend. By default, most people are less likely to cycle on weekends. The introduction of a free access scheme will increase the number of cycle-hires, but the proportion difference will not be as noticable as doing such on weekdays.
The peak was due to a free acess weekend on the 16-17 August 2014. (ref: TFL)
Wrapping Up
Thanks for spending time reading this little data analysis. I have published the code I have used for analysis on github.
However, I wish to clarrify that my statistical reasonings above are very less related to the code - The code simply aids my data visualization.
That's it for now folks!
Appendix: Understanding the Week Proportion Transformation
This is best explain by an example:
Assume on the week starting 1 June 2012, and we have the number of hires as follows:
|Day of Week
|Number of hires
- Sunday 1
- Monday 2
- Tuesday 3
- Wednesday 4
- Thursday 5
- Friday 6
- Saturday 7
The total number of hires of the week is
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 = 28. We will have the following values on the line chart:
- Sunday 0.0357 (1 / 28)
- Monday 0.0714 (2 / 28)
- Tuesday 0.1071 (3 / 28)
- Wednesday 0.1423 (4 / 28)
- Thursday 0.17857 (5 / 28)
- Friday 0.2142 (6 / 28)
- Saturday 0.25 (7 / 28)
Using such proportion patterns, we can capture "micro-patterns", at the expense of information about the general trend of the data. In other words, we can capture local trends within a small time frame which are hardly noticable by looking at the original graph.
To illustrate this claim, consider Christmas 2011 / New Year 2012:
Even up close, a peak might be dismissed simply as a random fluctuation in the case of time series data. From a larger scale, it is simply impossible to notice the existence of this peak.
However, in the case of the proportion graph, finding the peak is trivial.
This method, as with most statistical methods, has it short comings when the usage over the week is consistently high (eg: a festival) or low. The proportions of days-of-week will simply be too equal to produce a spike.
In those conditions, it would be more appropriate to refer the original time series graph.


text:
Two seconds before he tried to eat the camera
All right, I know I've become someone who only takes pictures of their baby.
I'll try to at least only share the better ones.
Deal with it.
Am I doing it wrong?
Comments? I don't do open comments. Life is too short.