Weekly Report for Week Ending October 20, 1998



 Project Control Meeting Agenda     Hanford Observatory     Livingston Observatory     Facilities    Detector    Project Office    System Engineering    Administrative    Past Weekly Reports

The Project Control Meeting Agenda for Monday  August 31, 1998 will be

CANCELED DUE TO NSF REVIEW

Special Items:


Special Announcements:


LIGO Hanford Observatory (LHO) Operations



 
 
=========================================================
LIGO Hanford Observatory (LHO) Operations (F. Raab)
=========================================================

Bake Oven:
----------
(K. Ryan)

The first bake oven load consisting of HAM support tube bellows
s/n 14 & 17 has been successfully baked.  An air leak developed during
the cooling portion of the bake but enough data was obtained to make a
"pass" determination.  In fact the sum masses of the hydrocarbon AMUs
of interest looks quite good! Load #2 will consist of three bellows.

There remain several "punch list" items to be completed before
parts processing becomes routine but the system is operational.

Seismic Isolation Installation:
-------------------------------
(C. Gray, H. Radkins)

2k HAM work

On HAM7:  Actuation stack (w/ "dummy" coarse x/y stages) installation
began. Crossbeams were also installed. Scissors Tables were compressed
utilizing turnbuckles, and by relieving tension in springs (this is for
installation of Air Bearings later in installation). Southern Crossbeam
is bolted down to Support Tubes and Northern Crossbeam will be bolted
down today to give access to area for Cable Tray installation.

Will utilize a Support Tube mock up on HAM 9 to check whether Support
Tube can be installed via side adjacent to BSC chamber.

Fred Asiri will compile a 1 month schedule for work on HAM7. Here is a
tentative look of major items in future:

Week of 26th:  install Support Tube/Table and Bellows in HAM9
Week of Nov. 2:  install Support Tube/Table and Bellows in HAM8
Week of Nov. 9:  Leak test HAM 8 & 9;  staging for work on HAM7
Week of Nov. 16:  Begin installing Isolation stack in HAM7

4k HAMs

All Piers were positioned and leveled last week. Grouting began on Wed
(thus far, 7 piers have been grouted and the remaining 9 should be done
this week or early next week)

Other items

Will utilize a Support Tube mock up on HAM 9 to check whether Support
Tube can be installed via side adjacent to BSC chamber.

BSC

HYTEC:  1st Article Testing continues--Fine-x motion of the actuator
was successful with ±90 micron motion, 50% greater than required.
However, there was a ~7 Hz resonance while the PZT was activated
attributed to the Piers not being grouted to the floor. One Pier was
grouted and the resonance increased ~2.5 Hz. The remaining Piers are
now being grouting.

Software tuning continues on the coarse actuation system with range
motion projected to be completed this week. Next, install the isolation
springs for dynamic testing.

LHO:    Larry Jones has been staging BSC fixturing in the LVEA.  Apollo
has nearly completed all the Anchor Bolt drilling and installation. BSC
Pier installation is beginning.
 

Optics & Lasers:
----------------
(D. Cook)

I am installing the balance of the non-illuminating laser safety signs
on the emergency egress doors of the Mid and End stations to comply
with the Standard Operating Procedure for the PSL laser in the LVEA. We
are changing the signs in the Optics Lab also and adding an Emergency
kill switch and the circuitry to control the lasers there. We have
added a new Standard Operating Procedure for operating the NPRO 700mW
1064nM Yag laser, while running in the Optics Lab. This laser is being
used to check the back scattering quality from optical coatings etc.

I spent sometime with the PSL group to learn more about their systems.
Despite all the extra construction and installations that are going on,
the Labs are staying cleaner as far as particles counts go. We have
restricted the access to only two entrances and are utilizing the shoe
scrubbers, cleaning components, being careful to keep out materials
like cardboard or wood, gowning up in more areas etc. I joined several
other LIGO people and a couple of "Dummies" in CPR and First Aid
training.

We continue to receive interferometer components and supplies and
equipment.
 

Computing Systems:
------------------
(C. Patton)

Most of my time this week has been spent working on requested changes
to the Vacuum System EPICS software and creating additional MEDM
displays. I'm also trying to stay involved with the DAQS programming
and installation.

For General Computing, I was finally able to get the tape backup system
working and automated on our administration (Jill's) PC. Our only
General Computing color printer has been having problems, and must be
sent back to HP for servicing which could leave us without a good color
printer for several weeks. I have done some general cleaning on the
printer to see if that will get it working well enough to stall off
having to send it back to the factory. I have also contacted a local
dealer who is trying to get us a demo model of a color laser printer.
The intent is to try it out before deciding if we want to buy one. This
dealer is also putting together a quote for a yearly service contract
for all of our site printers.

I have also added several new user accounts, followed up on several
software orders, set up a PC to be used for the FMCS control system,
and implemented a sign-out procedure for borrowing software and
supplies from GC.

Electronics/Electrical Systems:
-------------------------------
(R. McCarthy)

The cable tray installation has begun. The week has been spent trying
work-arounds in area's that have potential interference to other
installation work. Such as the clean rooms needing area close to the
racks that the tray would interfere with. Remade some supports to
better accommodate the installation. The LVEA is really taking shape
and hopefully will be able to finish installation on the 2K input next
week.

Installed an emergency shutdown circuit for the PSL. This will allow
for one button to shutdown the Laser and power supply if the need
arises.

Worked with the PSL team in trying to meet any facility needs they may
have.  Re soldering boards etc.
 

Beam-Tube Bake Out:
-------------------
(M. Lubinski, M. Guenther, and W. Althouse)

All of the DC cabling has been moved from Y2 to Y1 and reconnection to
the power supplies and the Y1 beam tube is complete. The blankets have
been removed from the end and mid stations on the Y2 arm. The Blank has
been removed from the Y2 end station gate valve and the BE-4 spool
piece has been installed.

Cryopumps have been removed from ports Y2-2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 and these
ports have been re-baked. We are currently cleaning and installing
these cryopumps on Y1.

The post bake RGA has been re-baked and we are currently taking data.
The RGA used during the bake out has been removed from port Y2-5 and
this port has also been re baked. We currently have a Cold Cathode
gauge mounted at this port to provide indication of tube pressure.
 
 


LIGO Livingston Observatory (LLO) Operations



 
 
We are continuing to chase problems with the building construction and have
prepared a memo listing areas of non-compliance and concern. These are
discrepancies in electrical work, continuing problems with roof leak, panel
bubbling, and in adequacies with the overhead doors.

We have had some discussion with Kevin Robbins of LSU's Dept of Geographic
Information Systems about weather stations. Prof. Greg Guzik of the Physics
Department recommended him to us - Kevin set up the weather station at the
Baton Rouge Observatory. They are very interested in helping us set up the
PEM weather stations here and are willing to maintain them free of charge
if we can share our weather data with them so that they can incorporate it
in a regional network. They also pointed out that this is a great
opportunity for educational outreach. Anthony Rizzi is following up to find
out more details regarding this possibility and what it involves.

We have arranged to participate in an educational outreach activity
sponsored by the APS Plasma Science Division, to be held Nov. 19-20 in New
Orleans. LIGO will set up a booth with posters. Approximately 5000 area
students and teachers are expected.

We have also had initial discussion with the Audubon Institute's Louisiana
Nature Center (located near New Orleans) about partnering for educational
outreach. The Audubon Insititute operates a regional science outreach
program which includes astronomy at their center and with vans that visit
schools to put on programs.  They are interested in the possibility of
including LIGO related activities and information as part of this program.

Joe Kovalik of INFN visited this week and gave the Physics Colloq. at LSU
on VIRGO activities.


WBS 1.1    Facilities Group



 
 
WBS 1.1.1 Vacuum Equipment(Worden)
This will be the last report on Hanford VE.  All Hanford work is complete
with the exception of a few punch list items. The most significant items are
3 Varian/Cetec manual valves used for roughing and main ion pump isolation.
These have been sent back for repair. In the interim PSI is shipping some
valves which were used in the PSI bake facility.

Livingston (Allen Sibley)

The bake out of the y arm end station has been completed by PSI and it is
now cooling. The RGA has been installed and baked. Measurement scans will
start soon. The corner station is being prepared for evacuation. GNB's crew
has completed the scheduled work on the x arm valves. One gate has been
rejected by LIGO and is being returned to Hayward for repair / replacement.
Parts for repair of the remaining valves are being secured.

Hanford Construction (Otto Matherny)

Levernier
Levernier submitted their final invoice and a certified statement that all
the subcontractors and suppliers were paid.
No new developments this week.
 

OTHER ITEMS
Water modification Contract
There is a fife week delivery time on the needed water pump, and a four week
delivery on the eight thousand gallon water tank. The contractor is as far
as he can go without these items.

Staging Building
George Grant Construction submitted the shop drawing submittal register, the
construction schedule, and a schedule of values.
 

Livingston Construction (Gerry Stapfer)

As the Facilities shake down period progresses we continue to find aspects
of the operation and construction which needs to be changed or are  found
not to be totally completed.
As we identify these items , the contractors responsible for remedial action
are notified and the discrepancies are taken care of.
 
AFTER THIS WEEK, THIS VENERABLE FACILITY REPORT WILL NO LONGER APPEAR. FUTURE REPORTS IN THIS AREA WILL APPEAR WITHIN THE SIGHT REPORTS. AN IMPORTANT CHAPTER IN LIGO CONSTRUCTION COMES TO AN END...   GHS


WBS 1.2, 1.3    Detector Group


 
----------------------------------------------------
DETECTOR GROUP -- Whitcomb/Shoemaker

(WBS 1.2, 1.3)
----------------------------------------------------

40 m Interferometer (Nergis Mavalvala)
--------------------------------------

1) Power budget/ifo losses/matching:
Cavity visibility (resonant reflectivity) using both DC and RF
measurements coupled with cavity linewidth measurements seem to
indicate that the modematching to the interferometer is good but
that mirror losses are higher than previously assumed. These are
still preliminary findings and more details will be availbale next
week.

2) Wavefront sensing closed loop control
Notch filters were tuned for secondary yaw resonances around 20
Hz (excited due to the increased bandwidth of the WFS controls
compared to the optical lever controls). We measured the closed
loop response of the WFS servo and found the unity gain frequency
to be around 5 Hz, which is somewhat lower than we had expected.
However, we believe the loop has high enough DC gain that we can
use the controller as is.
 

----------------------------------------------
Interferometer Sensing and Control -- M Zucker
(WBS 1.2.1.1.6, 1.2.1.1.7)
----------------------------------------------

Site delivery status (Zucker)
-----------------------------
item              status
----------------------------------------------------
IAS initial alignment tooling     in final fab & test, delivery ~ 11/16
WA2k&4k viewports      delivered
LA viewports          on order
WA2k IO optical lever (MMT3)       delivered
WA2k COC optical lever optics    in fab, delivery 12/20
WA2k COC optlev supports (MMT3 type)    delivered
WA2k COC optlev supports (BSC type) re-quoting after design mod (see M.
Smith below)
WA2k COC optlev supports (TM type)  in final design
WA2k video/illuminators        delivered
WA2k IOT7 WFS table        in fab, delivery ~ 11/15; all but 1 component in
WA2k ISCT7,9,10          in layout, delivery 2-4/99 (scheduled)
 

ISC Control Development (Zucker)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Met 10/21 and 10/22 at MIT with Heefner, Robison, Mavalvala,
Ware, Daw and Fritschel.  Meeting highlights:

    -Definition of C structures for ISC data channels
    -Strategy for "numerical" saturation and recovery
    -Simplification of ISC reflective memory loop network
    -Integration of lock acquisition sequencing to
     Supervisory Control, and control algorithms into
     Front End process software
    -Triggering and HW/SW to implement sign flips during acquisition
    -Status of SMAC simulation
    -Requirements for high-speed "bypass" loop for L- acquisition
    -etc...

Contact Mike for more info or a copy of meeting minutes (available shortly).
 

ASC Design and Fabrication (K.Mason, M.McInnis.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A layout drawing of the PLX retroreflector fixture has been completed.
This retroreflector is used to align core optics when the high
reflective surface can not be accessed with a direct line of sight.

The optical enclosure for IOT-7 has been recieved.

ASC Design and Fabrication (M. Smith)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Some  of the quotes for  the optical lever wedges

    #MZ note; BSC-style optical lever supports

came in this week.  I originally put in some flatness requirements that
turned out to be very expensive to machine.  The quotes that came in
are without this flatness included and are still much higher than was
budgeted for(about 750 each when budget was 350).  I am working on some
changes that will make it a little more practical to machine  and to
obtain the flatness desired.  However, I do not expect the price to be
much better, since we are only buying a quantity of one each (all the
time is in the setup charges).
 

I have designed the general layout of the bridges

    #MZ note; ITM/ETM-style optical lever supports

for the optical levers for the ITMs and ETMs.  I will start to generate
the machining drawings  this week.  The tables will comprise of the
following piece parts; a table top, four legs, two cross beams and a
base plate.  These will need to be assembled in place with the pieces
described.

The EO Shutters for the IOT7 table should be shipped this week to MIT.
The brewster angle polarizer will not be shipped until the first week
in November.

    #MZ note; there is a similar polarizer left from the PNI which
    can be pressed into service if need be.  Currently we're still
    well ahead of need date so no panic.
 

-------------------------------------------
Lasers and Optics -- J. Camp
(1.2.1.1.2, 1.2.1.1.3, 1.2.1.1.4,1.2.1.1.5)
--------------------------------------------

LWE 10 W laser contract -- Jordan Camp
--------------------------------------------

This week LW proposed to eliminate the amplifier diode photomonitors,
which were installed on the initial 3 10W lasers to monitor the individual
amplifier diodes for any degradation.
LW felt that: the incidence of a single diode degrading much differently
than the others was nonexistant across their commercial products, the
photomonitors see 1.06 micron flourescence which interferes with the
diode monitoring, and that the doubtful value of these monitors added
cost and complexity to their laser design. The PSL group has not made
use of the monitors in their tests.
After discussion with Abbott, Savage, Camp, Whitcomb, King,
and Lazzarini, we decided to accept LW's proposal and eliminate the
monitors from future 10W lasers.
 

Prestabilized Laser -- Peter King
--------------------------------------------

- The 10-W LIGO Laser (#102) has been locked to the reference cavity.  Some
adjustments need to be made to the phase shifter section of the 21.5 MHz
frequency reference card in order to bring the performance of the frequency
stabilization servo to levels achieved at Caltech.

    The frequency reference card provides the local oscillator input to
apply the RF sidebands to the 21.5 MHz electro-optic modulator (EOM) and the
phase shifter.  Internal to the card the local oscillator signal is split
between the two destinations.  The signal to the EOM was as expected but
the signal to the phase shifter suffered from some distortion.  This will
be corrected by this morning (Thursday).
 

Input/Output Optics -- Dave Reitze, UF
-----------------------------------------

WA 2k site delivery status

Item          Status
___________________________________________

PSL/IOO table components    Delivered
PSL/IOO table periscope     Delivered
In-vacuum 2" non-suspended
    optics        Delivered
In-vacuum mode cleaner
    optics        Flat mirrors delivered
          Curved mirrors in rework at REO
In-vacuum MMT mirrors     MMT1,2 delivered
          MMT3 at UF, awaiting RC measurement
In-vacuum steering mirrors  Delivered
Small Optics suspensions    Delivered
In-vacuum non-suspended
    mirror mounts   Delivered
In-vacuum faraday isolator  Faraday rotator undergoing contamination
              testing at CIT
          Polarizers, waveplates, mounts,
              and rotation stages in bakeout
Seismic stack weights     At CIT
IOO diagnostics        OSAs delivered
          Awaiting RF photodiodes
MMT mode-matching diagnostics   in fabrication at UF
____________________________________________________

Dave Reitze is at Hanford this week.

Mode Matching Measurement

Still working on alignment of the dithered beam into the cavity.

High Power Testing -

Vacuum viewport power-dependent wavefront distortions were measured.  An
optical path difference of ~ 1 nm at 10W power was detected.  This has a
negligible effect of the beam modal parameters.
 

Core Optics Procurement and Metrology -- GariLynn Billingsley
-------------------------------------------------------------

Characterization of flat C continues in the Metrology lab.  We are trying
various "knobs" to see if we can make the measurements more repeatable.  We
now have a LIGO optic up and are using it in characterizing C according to
the method employed by CSIRO.

CSIRO has shipped their first 4K ITM as well as two of the reworked
Beamsplitters.  They are working up a delivery schedule for the remaining
Beamsplitters as well as 7 4ITMs and 3 RMs.
 

Core Optics Coatings -- Helena Armandula
--------------------------------------------------

Helena is at REO this week, participating in the beamsplitter and
input optics coating runs.
 

Core Optics Support -- Michael Smith
------------------------------------

BEAM-DUMPS:
Ara has released all the redesigned generic beam-dump drawings to the shop.
He is working on the specialty beam-dumps.

ITM BAFFLES:
Angel has completed the arm cavity baffles which are mounted in the
manifold spools at the mid and end stations in the x and y arms. He has
begun the layout of the mid station arm cavity baffle, located beyond the
2K ETM and facing toward the 4K ETM, which will be mounted in BSC5/6.

ETM and PO Telescope-
CC Development is adding internal and external baffles to the ATM PO
telescopes, which will take the place of the required beam dumps for the
BSAR1P and BSAR3P ghost beams which partially enter the telescope. The
heights of all the other 2K and 4K PO telescope mounts have been made
identical to reduce manufacturing costs. CC Development is creating detail
drawings of the PO and ETM telescopes. Finite element analyses of the
mechanical vibration modes of the structures are being conducted by an
outside vendor.

MOCK-UP
A prototype LOS with an aluminum COC will be mounted to the BSC SEI
platform. This will enable simulation of the proposed APS PO telescope
alignment procedure.

OPTICAL LEVER BEAMS
Apologies to ISC, the optical lever beam path for the 4K RM was okay as
they had laid it out.

PO MIRROR
Ken M. has given the shop a drawing for a prototype one-axis flexure, to
test the fatigue and lifetime characteristics of the proposed PO mirror
mount design.

CONICAL BAFFLE
Craig C. has verified the functionality of his cryopump baffle design with
a 3D ray trace of scattered light rays from the nearby COC mirror.

COS FINAL DESIGN REVIEW
Mike S. is working on the write-up for the COS FDR, to be held the middle
of November. Paul K. is updating the integrated layout plan view by
incorporating current design layouts for baffles, beam-dumps, and telescopes.
 

--------------------------
Isolation Group -- M. Fine
--------------------------

Seismic Design (Mike Fine)
--------------------------------------
1. Fine Actuation System Tests:
The PZT stack controllers have been adjusted for the high compressive loads
expected in operation (requires re-zeroing the feedback loops); they were
then installed in the BSC first article.  Installation went smoothly.
Initial functional tests were performed: the system is performing as
expected, Hytec is getting full 180 micron static range, moving the whole
support assembly and downtube. Low frequency sinusoidal motions (1 to 4 Hz,
160 microns) were also tested successfully. However, because the piers have
not been grouted yet at Hytec, the lowest system resonance is at about 10 Hz,
instead of around 20. Because of this, the stack controllers are only
marginally
stable (not enough gain margin at that frequency: the controller BW is 0 to 5
Hz,
and the notch filter was factory adjusted for a higher frequency).  This
leads
to controller oscillations at 10 Hz (about 10 micron amplitude) that prevent
further testing at this point. This instability will disappear once the piers
are grouted. Hytec has started grouting the piers and will try to complete
this
task by next week so testing can resume.

2. Near-Term SEI Hardware Delivery Schedule:
4 HAM support tubes and 2 support tables                    10/28/98
2 HAM optical tables and 2 sets of HAM legs                 11/10/98
8 BSC Bellows                                               11/10/98
2 HAM sets of springs                                       11/13/98
4 Scissors tables                                           11/6//98

Suspension -- (Janeen Hazel/Mark Barton/Mike Fine)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1. LOS Welded Structure:
Brookfield is reviewing J prep DCN drawings before they are released. Janeen
is preparing change order for remachining weld preps.

2. Alignment Fixtures:
Quotes for cleaning alignment fixtures and support beams are being solicited
from Astropak and Allied Engineering. AstroPak no longer has a solvent vapor
degreaser, but have a large, heated ultrasonic detergent bath. Janeen visted
Superior Jig yesterday to check support beam before shipping.

3. SUS Hardware Delivery:
LOS1(for ETM, ITM, MMT, RM): 11/2(2). 11/15(1), 11/22(1), 11/29(1), 12/6(1),
                           1/10(2), 1/17(2), 1/24(2), 1/31(2), 2/7(2), 2/14(1)
LOS1(for RM): 11/15(1), 11/29(1), 12/6(1), 12/13(1)
LOS2(for BS): 1st artcle on 11/22
LOS3(for FM): 12/13(3)

---------------------------------------------------------
Detector Systems Engineering -- D. Shoemaker/D Coyne
(WBS 1.2.1.1.9)
---------------------------------------------------------
 

Global Diagnostics System (Daniel Sigg)
--------------------------------------

No report this week.

Physics Environment Monitor (Alex Marin)
-------------------------------------------

Supporting BSC first article dynamic measurements with PEM equipment.

PEM Delivery Schedule;
 

Instrument        Delivery To WA          Delivery to LA
Seismometer       3 on Nov. 5th            4 on Dec 4             (5 on Dec 4)
Tiltmeter         delivered                 delivered
Magnetometers     delivered                 delivered
PwrSup            Rework at Caltech
Cables            delivered                 Delivered
Outdoor Mag.      In Design
Accelerometers    To Be Ordered(TBO)  TBO
RH Temp           Delivered                    NA
Temp Sensors      delivered                    delivered
Microphones       delivered                    TBO
PwrSup            Reworking at Caltech
Cables            delivered                     TBO
Function Gen.     delivered                     TBO
Weather St.       delivered                     delivered
Loudspeaker       delivered                    TBO
RF Receiver       delivered                    TBO
Dust counter      delivered                    Cot 29
EM shaker         delivered                    TBO
PZT Shaker        4 @ WA                  To be ordered Later(TBOL)   (8 @MIT)
Power Flux        delivered                     TBO
Carts             delivered                    delivered
DAQ Computer      delivered                    delivered
RGAs              6 new heads del'd    5 to be refurbed stating Nov. 1
                                  (4 to be refurbed starting Nov. 1)
RF generator      delivered                    delivered
HAM Int Plates    Nov. 1                           Nov. 1
BSC Int Plates    Nov. 1                            Nov. 1
 
 

Optical Contamination (Daqun Li)
--------------------------------

Ringdown and mode spacing data are still being taken for cavities 1
(with teflon wires) and 3 (empty) with no significant change found in
the data for both cavities.  Cavity 2 containing air baked steels is
still giving big losses (12 ppm total, 8 ppm absorption) indicated by
both ringdown and mode spacing measurements as reported previously.
An additional three vent/ pumpout cycles showed the losses stable to
1 ppm.  We are planning to send these contaminated mirrors to Rai Weiss
at MIT for further diagnosis.

After several weeks of intensive Labview programming, automating
the Loss Scanner is close to completion.  After entering scanning
points in single row and single column, scanning stepsize in mm and
starting location by a user, the computer does the required scan and
data taking and then saves the acquired data into a text file for
further off-line data analysis.  I am interfacing a power
meter with the PC using GPIB interface so that I can soon start taking
real data with the automated scanner, say map out transmission loss
of REO 1" optics.
 
 
 

-----------------------------------------
Control and Data System -- R. Bork
(WBS 1.2.2)
-------------------------------------------

Data Acquisition System
========================
- System tests with 3 data collection crates, system controller and
FrameBuilder
run over the past week at Hanford. While a fair amount of work went well, the
following issues remain to be worked.
   - Multiple ADC boards in a crate: Slave ADC modules do not read out
correctly; working the problem with assistance from vendor. Until this
issue is
resolved, we cannot test and verify the timing fanout system. Single,
master ADC
configuration works well.
   - Consistant crashes of the Sun 450 server due to a hardware and/or
software
driver problem with the VMIC reflected memory modules. Continuing to pass
info
to vendor, who is trying to fix the problem.
 
PSL:
=======
- Rich Abbott back at Hanford for two weeks to test servo systems if/when
laser/optics are ready.

ASC/LSC
========
- J. Heefner @ MIT this week for continued meetings on digital servo designs.

Input Optics:
===============
The EO Shutter Control prototype has been shipped to MIT for testing with a
shutter.
The Mode Cleaner Demod board is due tomorrow. We will then stuff and test
it. The MC Servo board is still on hold behind the Timing System.
We are beginning the redesign of the LSC/MC photodiodes taking into account
the generous feedback from users of our current version.

Timing System:
==============
Tests of the first two clock fanout modules are taking place at Hanford.
Some modifications are being made to the Level 2 fanout (Slave) design as a
result of tests thus far. The first cut of the SYNC ERR circuit is being
redesigned. This circuit compares the timing of the FRAME_TC going to the
DAQ ADCs with the 1_PPS clock using the 2^22 Hz clock as the time
reference. So if these three signals get out of step a SYNC ERR flag is
raised.

Vaccum Controls
==================
- Vacuum system controls is being changed to disallow Cold Cathode
gauge operation when the vacuum is poor (in the Pirani range).

- Ion pump overview screens have been added.
 


WBS 1.4    Project Office



  

 1.4.1.2 Project Controls (Lindquist)


CHANGE CONTROL (Lindquist)

The following Change Requests have been submitted. We should schedule a Change Control Board when soon after the NSF Review.
 
CR-980041 WBS 1.2.1 Seismic Isolation System, Left Handed Spring Seats S. Whitcomb
CR-980042 WBS 1.1.2 Beam Tube Module Testing and Equipment Purchase L. Jones
CR-980043 WBS 1.1.2 Cancellation of Beam Tube Module Alignment Checks L. Jones
CR-980044 WBS 1.4.4 General Computing Caltech L. Wallace
CR-980045 WBS 1.2.1 Seismic Isolation System In-vacuum Components S. Whitcomb
CR-980046 WBS 1.2.1 Seismic Isolation System Final Design Costs S. Whitcomb
CR-980047 WBS 1.2.1 Seismic Isolation System Scissors Tables Second Source S. Whitcomb
 
A meeting of the Technical Review Board was held Tuesday, October 20, 1998 to discuss the gate valve O-rings. Bill Tyler is preparing minutes.


LIGO Weekly Site Telecon (Jasnow)

The Site Telecon was held Thursday, October 15, 1998. The revised action list is as follows:
 
Action No. Description Responsibility Assigned Date Due Date
1 Prepare Operations Budgets for FY 1999  Lindquist August 6, 1998 November 5, 1998
10 Procedure to Cover Late Charges for Invoice Payments Jasnow August 27, 1998 November 5, 1998
17 Louisiana Road Access M. Coles/G. Stapfer October 8, 1998 November 12, 1998
18 Acquire Mail Codes for Sites E. Jasnow October 15, 1998 CLOSED
19 Consider Lawsuit Against Panel Manufacturer at Livingston R. Pool/E. Jasnow October 15, 1998 November 19, 1998
20 Schedule Meeting on Shadow Accounting System for Operations P. Lindquist October 15, 1998 November 12, 1998
 
 

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (Chargois)

>From: Ed Chargois <chargois_e@ligo.caltech.edu>

Assisted the Optical Engineer with the preparation of a Commercial Invoice and shipping Instructions for one (1) Beamsplitter, Serial Number BS03-B, to CSIRO, Division of Applied Physics (attn C. Walsh),  Account Number 5F514.

Assisted the Optical Engineer with the shipment of an empty container to Research Electro Optic (attn D. Ness),  Account Number 5F514.

Awaiting confirmation from GSA Fleet Management Office concerning Long Term Lease Vehicles two (2) 4 door sedans $159.00 per month plus $0.10 per mile (includes fuel and maintenance) for the apartment dwellers at the LHO.


DOCUMENT CONTROL CENTER (Turner)

>From: the DCC <dcc@ligo.caltech.edu>

ACTIVITIES
COST SCHEDULE CONTROL SYSTEMS (Duncan, Rianda, Leonhardt, Akutagawa, Kaufman)

>From: Cindy Akutagawa <cindy@acrux.ligo.caltech.edu>

Working on the monthly reports along with some special projects, doing the usual checking and troubleshooting. Updated and distributed a revised LIGO Project Signature Authorization List.

>From: "Britt Leonhardt (T)" <brittl@FINANCE.caltech.edu>

[Michael Butler has gone on to bigger and better things in Caltech Procurements. His replacement for LIGO is Phyllis Burton. Phyllis is located with Britt in Room 31. -pel]

I have been working with Phyllis, the new Acquistions person here at LIGO and helping her to get situated in our office.  We have been coordinating with Federal Accounting to reorganize the Pegasus Purchase Order, and with the department to correct the DHittle contract as well.   Florence and I have been working together to review and correct retention status in the reports.

[Estimated activity (these are partial weeks. Data was not available for full week.) -pel]
 

WE Date Incoming Invoices and Receivers Wire Transfers Large Contract Invoices New Purchase Ortders
10/08/98 248 2 9 155
10/15/98 225 0 4 157
10/22/98 247 0 1 58
 

>From: Kris Duncan <kris@ligo.caltech.edu>

Completed entry of estimate-to-complete updates from task managers into COBRA.  Initiated a comparison of August EAC's to September 1998 EAC's.

Continued to review and make revisions to the CSSR reports for September 1998.  Copies have been distributed for a final review.

Completed  work on the Cost/Schedule/Contingency presentation for the NSF review.  This required scanning in existing Cobra reports and entering them into the existing presentation.  There were numerous technical difficulties in accomplishing this task, but all have been overcome and the final presentation was distributed.

Initiated archiving of schedules for Facilities and Detector.  Hard copies have been created and collated.  Electronic copies of the schedule are being created and will be archived shortly.  Plots are being formatted.

Completed work on the Project Level One Milestone chart.  Files were merged and dates of open activities have been reviewed.  The manual aspect of entering past "float" activity has been finished and the chart has been produced in final format.

>From: Florence Kaufman <fkaufman@ligo.caltech.edu>


SUBCONTRACTS MANAGEMENT (Petrac, Jasnow)

>From: irena@ligo.caltech.edu (Irena Petrac)

>From: Ed Jasnow <jasnow@acrux.ligo.caltech.edu>

Work continues concerning resolution of the outstanding construction issues in Livingston.  These issues include leaking roofs, electrical problems, and blistering exterior panels.  All options are being explored to rectify these problems.

As a result of the above problems, agreement was reached to continue the Parsons presence at Livingston until the end of the calendar year.  This was accomplished by adding $15,000 to the Parsons contract.

The Passport credit card program will be initiated at Hanford this week with the mailing of the credit cards.  It is anticipated that this will expedite the purchasing process and eliminate the need to pay invoices.


TECHNICAL CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT (Althouse)

>From: wea@acrux (William Althouse)

No report. See Bake out.


1.4.2.1 Quality Assurance (Tyler)

>From: "William H. Tyler" <tyler_w@ligo.caltech.edu>

Note: Last week's QA status report INCORRECTLY stated that the gate/carriage assembly removed from the X-arm mid-station had been shipped to GNB at Hayward for repair. After inspecting the dropped gate/carriage assembly, GNB decided that the required repairs could be done at the Livingston site.

LIGO QA supported this week's Technical Review Board (TRB) reviewing the results of investigations of methods to minimize Livingston mid station gate O-ring sticking during module bakeout. Several different methods were investigated for their potential to eliminate sticking at bake out conditions:

1. The sticking of Viton O-rings prebaked at higher temperatures.
2. Elimination of "wax" in the Viton material formulation.
3. Evaluation of different supplier's material (3M Flourel).
4. Configuring the valve in a "soft closed" condition (limited/reduced gate O-ring preload).
The results of the investigations of the last two items (above list), suggest that, if implemented, the risk of O-ring sticking will be minimized. However, since both of these "approaches" have only limited testing at this time, the TRB recommended that further demonstration/evaluation of the soft closure method should be done as part of the remaining beam tube module bake out at Hanford. The change of O-ring material will require additional effort to assure that the one of two Flourel materials available can be successfully made into the size of O-rings required and prebake processing.

LIGO QA has also been involved in on-site (R. Vincent) GNB valve inspections. Also telecons/discussions with regard to the transfer of the same acceptance history and criteria for the inspections and processing of GNB valves at Livingston.
Another issue that LIGO QA (R. Vincent) helped work was a LA 44 inch gate with excessive O-ring groove "repair" and discrepant O-ring groove dimensions. LIGO had advised PSI that this gate should be replaced since gates with similar discrepancies had in the past been rejected. (It seemed at the time, that GNB and PSI were willing to consider this gate as acceptable.)
 
 


WBS 1.4.3    Systems Engineering


NO REPORT RECEIVED
 


WBS 1.4.4.1    Administrative Group



Dorothy Lloyd

Continued processing heavy load of purchase requisitions, POs, change orders, check request, etc. as well as extremely heavy load of invoices.

Followed up and tracked problems with invoice payments.

Entered AP30 reports into the database.

Continued to monitor and support the temporary help.

 

Rita Torres

For I. Petrac did change order No. 4 to General Optics. Did PC282928 with Hand Machining, Inc. for Scissor Table Assemblies.

For E. Jasnow did letter to Siebe Environmental Controls to transmit the executed contract.

With S. Meshkov spent several hours trying to figure out how to submit the Visitor Program progress report via NSF's FastLane. One requirement is to submit text through a .PDF file. Thanks to John Klohoker who took a few minutes to 1) show me how to convert a FrameMaker file into PDF, and 2) apply Acrobat Exchange to combine three files for sending to NSF. Thank you John!

Arranged for a meeting place and food at the Atheneum for the workshop "Databases for LIGO." Set up teleconference for Tech. Review Board of 10/20/98. Got a chance to update PO number cross reference. Updated meeting room calendar with several changes.

 

Irene Baldon

Arranged and processed the paper work for 24 new trips to various locations, with an additional 9 trips arranged but the paperwork is still being processed. Additionally, changed or canceled 7 trips to various locations.

Worked on the ever present backlog of Expense Reports and completed 20 reports.

Performed miscellaneous duties as requested by various members of the LIGO Project here at Caltech, as well as for members of the staffs of each of the two (2) sites.

Prepared and distributed the Weekly Travel/Vacation Itinerary Report for LIGO Staff and Visitors.

Processed Hourly Payroll, incorporating various recent changes, new hires, terminations and the processing of Vacation/Sick Leave accounting.

 

Elizabeth K. Wood

Attended the Passport Training class which now authorizes me to reconcile Gary’s Caltech credit card statements as soon as he gets the credit card. I am in the process of finding out from Criselda which database she uses to verify Caltech employment. Apparently it isn't the Caltech employment database.

Hired a work-study student for Phil Willems and posted a work-study job requisition for another student for Albert.

Continued with the preparations for the NSF site review in Hanford, including ordering many many many laser printer transparencies, gathering together the talks, getting them organized, and stuffed into binders, and arranging to feed the multitude.

Ordered a few supplies for Irene.

Welcomed Constantin Brif, a new LIGO postdoc, into the fold. He is residing in room 602 Millikan at x 8502.

The good news is we will probably be able to assign campus mail codes to the Hanford and Livingston sites. The bad news is the new numbers will be 18-34 HAN and 18-34 LIV, and all mail to the sites will still go through Caltech.

Dealt with the personnel issues.


For additional information about this report, contact sanders@ligo.caltech.edu