Weekly Report for Week Ending October 12, 2000

The LIGO Executive Committee Agenda for Monday  October 16, 2000 will be:
 (Meeting time: 10:30 am Pacific Time)

Open meeting 10:30 - 11:30

1. Announcements
2. LSC Issues (Weiss)
3. Comments on Weekly Report
4. WBS 1 LIGO I Construction (Lindquist)
• Field Change Orders/Contingency Liens/Change Requests
5. WBS 2 LIGO Lab Operations
• Administration (Lindquist)
• Sites (Raab, Coles, Shoemaker, Sanders)
• Detector (Whitcomb, Coyne)
• Campus Research Facilities (Weinstein (40 Meter), Libbrecht (TNI), Zucker(LASTI))
• Data Analysis and Computing (Lazzarini)
6. WBS 3 and 4  Advanced R&D and LIGO II (Sanders)

Special Items:  First Lock event status

Special Announcements:  Received from the TAMA  Project

Dear GW scientists,

We are happy to announce that the recent two-week data run of the TAMA300
gravitational wave detector was a great success. Please visit the following
web site for the details:

http://tamago.mtk.nao.ac.jp/tama/recom/recom2/index.html

Best greetings from Tokyo.

Yoshihide Kozai
PI of the TAMA project

Weekly Report Highlights
 

LSC Issues (Weiss)

No report.

LIGO I Construction/LIGO Laboratory Administration (Lindquist)

WBS 1.2 LIGO Operations--Administration

LIGO Weekly Site Telecon (Lindquist)

The primary discussion concerned the model for staffing the sites 24-7 to support operations.  Safety implications were discussed, and LIGO and Caltech safety personnel attendedl.

The list of current actions revised to reflect open actions assigned through October 12, 2000 may be found at ACTION LIST.

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

• Assisted the LLO site manager (G. Stafper) with the preparation of a  Purchase Order work sheet for transporting the Seismic Isolation Hardware from MIT at a cost of $1300. Account Number LIGO.00005-3.1-NSFLIGO.000003.
• Assisted the System Administrator (L. Bogue) with the packing and shipping of five (5) Keyboards and five (5) mouses [mice?] to each Observatory. Confirmation of received. Account  Numbers P97266 and P97273.
• Assisted the Data Analysis Section (S. Anderson) with the packing and shipping of an Ether net Switch, Sn 6839, to the LIGO Hanford Observatory ( G. Mendell). Account  Number P158152.
• Assisted the System Administrator (L. Bogue) with the packing and shipping of two (2) Sun Monitors, Serial Numbers 42F4885 and 647F054D, and two Sun Monitors, Serial Numbers 9649GL1094 and 9607GL2382, to the LLO (T. Evans). Account Number P97273.
• Assisted the Seismic Isolation Section (V. Sannibale) with the preparation of a Commercial Invoice and Customs Certification Documents for a shipment of two Cartes to the Dipartimento di Astronomia e Scienza dello Spazio (Dr. Ruggero M. Stanga), valued at 26,000.000 Italian Liras, expect arrival date 10-16-00.
• Assisted the  40 Meter Engineer (F.Asiri)  with the preparation of a Caltech Physical Plant Project Request to construct a shipping crate for the Output Chamber in Vacuum Parts to be transported to Allied Engineering for cleaning. Account Number LIGO.00004-1.6.2-NSFLIGO.000003.

>From: Linda Turner - turner@ligo.caltech.edu>

Web pages for the DCC give simple how-to's for document numbering, easy access to the latest on-line documents, and search capabilities for the DCC database.Take a look. . .

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Prepared Addendum 3 to IFB EJ-319 (Staging Building, LA) for Fred Asiri, consisting of copying, quality checks, packaging, tracking, and FedExing.  There are now 23 addressees for this IFB.
• Comparison of  the web's publication list against those in the DCC database continues.   To address the final step in this audit process, a list of P numbers, reserved but not yet received into the DCC, was comprised.  This can be seen at Reserved P's.  In an effort to better understand the status of LIGO documentation, similar lists were gathered for all categories from the log database.  Any number still reflected as "reserved" versus "entered" would appear on the list.   Out of 29,000+ documents, approximately 16% of "reserved number documents" have not been submitted.  The following table shows the results by category:

 

C	536
D	1,537
E	766
G	459
L	524
M	508
P	33
T	282
Total	4,645

• Electronic documents continue to come in at a regular pace.  However, several reminders to all LIGO-ites would help keep the process streamlined and timely for everyone:
• File naming should be based on the root part of the number plus the revision and without the Group ID.  Additionally, the file name should be in capitals, and the format extension in small letters.  Thus a document numbered as
• LIGO-G990025-00-D would have a file name of G990025-00.pdf
• All pertinent information needs to be on every document.  This includes:
• DCC number
• Author's name
• Date of document
• Title
• Duplicate submittals can be confusing as well as time consuming.  If you can't remember whether a document has been submitted to the DCC, you might check the docspublic directory to see if it resides there.  Or, feel free to give us a call so we may check for you.
• Cleveland and Jim completed the large task of physically reorganizing the document files.  This made room where needed for hundreds of documents unable to fit in the current configuration.  With the new layout, we estimate sufficient room for 6-8 months.  Consideration will be given to what should be done when we near running out of space once again.

• Prepared, packaged, and shipped 23 of the Addendum #3 to IFB EJ-319.

Press here to access the DOCUMENT CONTROL CENTER WEB PAGE.

From: Esther Cunningham <esther@ligo.caltech.edu>

Press here for ACCOUNTS PAYABLE HISTORY DATA.

From: "Brambila, Ruth" <Ruth.Brambila@caltech.edu>

I am pulling invoices and making a copy of every invoice on a purchase order placed on an operations poeta or org for the last 3-1/2 years as requested by the Washington State auditor.  They will be returning on Wednesday, October 25th.  As soon as I obtain the pcard report from Criselda containing all the LHO orders beginning with Jan 1997 through June 2000, I will go through it and mark the orders for supplies only which tax will have to be paid.  I am coordinating the preparation of the documents with Ed Jasnow, Dorothy Lloyd, Criselda, and Gina.

Esther will handle the accruals for Washington State for the 3rd quarter of 2000 which will have to be made by Oct 20th in order to be against the fiscal year which just finished.

Esther, Gina and I will be checking carefully all orders for LHO to make sure that if sales or use tax needs to be paid, that it is either paid or accrued to Washington.  I would like to note that if California sales tax is paid, then Washington tax does not need to be paid, as California and Washington work as "companion taxes" in that if one is paid, the other need not be paid.

Working on the change order modications to Richard Price, Allied Engineering, Butler, and setting up a new consultant for Sydney Meshkov.

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

• Completed monthly Operations report for September. [A pointer to this report has been distributed. -pel]
• Prepared an integrated report combining Construction & R&D for MIT, which has been approved by David.
• Prepared an integrated report for Data Group showing data for construction accounts in a similar fashion as operations.  Report will be modified in response to comments from Albert.

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

• Allied: CO #7, adding cleaning of 40 m in-vacuum hardware and four bellows was released to Purchasing.
• Galli&Morelli: CO #11, adding $100K for purchase of materials for two TAMA SAS prototypes, is under consideration by the Projects Controls Group.
• Advanced LIGO Lasers: The three companies  interested in the procurement of Advanced LIGO lasers (Boeing, LTW and TRW) were notified of the decision that the entire PSL  including the laser subsystem will be developed under the leadership of the University of Hannover.
• RFQ for Advanced LIGO Mechanical Structure: A set of applicable legal terms and conditions was prepared and submitted to the Cognizant Engineer for inclusion into the RFQ package.

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

• No report this week (Ed is at Hanford.)

Advanced LIGO (Frey, Petrac)

Progress Period from 10.6 to 10.12

Accomplishments:

• Advanced LIGO Project Controls meeting with Gary, Dennis, and Phil. 
• Weekly status meeting for Advanced LIGO Proposal every Tuesday at 9:30am at SCR.
• Meeting with Advanced LIGO SEI group to clarify funding data.  (Dennis and Gary)
• Proposal plan development for Advanced LIGO and Operations continues.
• Issued data requests for progress data as of 10.13.00 that are due Friday.
• Progress as of 10.06.00 was processed and posted.
• Funding exercise continues.  Working with Dennis Coyne to further define R&D and MRE funding profile.
• Project Plan for the 40-Meter Lab Upgrade continues.
• Issued data requests for progress data as of 10.13.00 that are due Friday.
• Updated the plan with progress as of 10.06.00.  Posted to site.
• Attended 40-Meter weekly meeting scheduled every Wednesday at 2pm.
• Planning process for the LASTI project at MIT is in progress.
• 4th iteration provided by David.  Integration into the central database is wrapping up.
• Continue to test the Cost Book Tool.
• Development of the Advanced LIGO Project Controls Guidebook continues.  Continuing to write section on data dictionaries.
• Project Web Site for posting schedule and progress related data continues to be updated with the latest and greatest.
• See http://www.ligo.caltech.edu/~tfrey/index.html

• Next weekly meeting will be Monday afternoon October 16 from 1 to 2pm regarding the planning and control of the Advanced LIGO proposal development.
• Advanced LIGO Proposal Status meeting will be Tuesday morning October 17 from 9:30am.    Each system leader to discuss issues specific to he Advanced LIGO proposals.
• Will issue integrated LASTI schedule for review and comments.
• Will continue to update the Advanced LIGO / Ops Proposal Plans and incorporate any changes.
• Will post progress report by end of day Tuesday with progress as of 10.06.00.
• Will issue 14th week of status data to teams.
• Will continue effort with Dennis Coyne to complete funding profile to sufficient detail to meet Gary Sander's needs.
• Will continue updating the 40 meter schedule and incorporate any changes.
• Will post progress report by end of day Tuesday with progress as of 10.06.00.
• Will issue 14th week of status data to teams.
• Will start work on revisions to WBS and schedule provided by Mike Smith.
• Meeting scheduled for Wednesday October 18 at 2pm at LSCR.
• Continue to test the Cost Book Tool.
• Cost Book Tool development continues.  Will be importing data for Installation so that Dennis Coyne can proceed with estimating.
• Will continue the development of the Advanced LIGO Project Web Site.
• Will continue the development of the Advanced LIGO Project Controls Guide Book.  Finish section on data dictionaries and start on update process.

• The Quarterly Progress Report  for the quarter ending August 31, 2000 has been sent to the NSF.

We held a short Change Control Board meeting during the Executive Committee meeting on Monday, October 9, 2000.  The following Change Request was discussed and approved.  It provide funding to initiate the Archetect and Engineering effort.
 

The following Change Request has been submitted:
 

Press for the latest Contingency Needs Projection.

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

• Completed and distributed the August Cost Schedule Status Report (CSSR) and the NSF quarterly reports.  Some adjustment's were made to the Project Office earned value in accordance to the agreement made in the Executive Committee meeting of October 2.
• Completed and distributed the Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) for month ending August 2000.
• Initiated work on the September 2000 reports and began a reconciliation of actual costs and commitment data.  Began work on the calculation of earned value for the period.
• Continued with contract/work package close out.
• Continued transferring data from the COBRA format into excel spreadsheets.

• The monthly reports (Allocation of Actual Costs for Construction and Advanced R&D) for periods ending August and September 2000 have been put on the network. E-mail has been sent to the Task Managers noting the location of the files.
• Details for the above accounts have been E-mailed to the Task Managers (with the exception of the Construction accounts for September 2000). I am having problems with WEBSTER and I am working with the CARE help office to get them resolved.  I will email the details to the Task managers as soon as I have completed them.
• Continue to review the open encumbrances on the Construction and Advanced R&D accounts to see if the requested removals have been made. I will continue to review these accounts weekly until all encumbrances have been removed.

 

 

The financial reports on the web provide supporting detail.

http://docuserv.ligo.caltech.edu/~fireport
http://docuserv.ligo.caltech.edu/~finance

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

No report this week...at Hanford.

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

• CCD: The contract is being closed out for good.

Quality/Safety (Tyler)

• Review and revision of the recent Hanford Safety Audit report was completed.
• Supported weekly telecon discussion of Observatory staffing plans and safety implications of 24/7 operations.

It was agreed that it would be useful to have a draft of the "Shift" Operators Manual ready before the early November Hanford engineering run. G. Sanders requested that the Plan(s) be signed off by the end of the year.
• Provided miscellaneous procurement assistance to L. Wallace and S. Anderson.

LIGO Hanford Observatory (LHO) Operations (Raab)

General Items:
--------------
(F. Raab)
 

A sturdy crew of commissars is working most hours of the day trying to lock
the 2-km interferometer. Understanding is growing but its not a "done deal"
yet.
 
 

PreStabilized Lasers:
--------------------
Tom Mahood and Robert Schofield:  PSL acoustical insulation

After completion of the bulk of the acoustical insulation for the 2K PSL
enclosure, it was found that while the sound levels within the enclosure
decreased  significantly, the noise within the laser feedback control
signals (MC_F) did not.  Almost accidently, it was discovered that
placement of acoustical insulation around the lower portions of the PSL
enclosure where the optical table is exposed, produced noticeable drops in
the MC_F noise.  As a result, we are designing an "acoustical skirt" to
surround the lower portion of the enclosure.
 

Tom Mahood and Mark Guenther:   4K PSL
 

This week we have begun doing beam scans and characterizing the 4K laser.
So far, everything appears to be in order.  A "final" proposed layout for
the 4k PSL has been prepared and is circulating for comments.  Optics are
being inventoried in anticipation of beginning initial placement of optics
next week.
 
 

LIGO Livingston Observatory (LLO) Operations (Coles)

The Hungarian Ambassador to the United States Visits LIGO.
 

On Sunday October 9, 2000, the Ambassador and his party visited LLO.
For additional information and pictures:

http://abundance.ligo-la.caltech.edu/~smarka/Ambassador_visit.html
 
 

OPTICS/COC/SEI INSTALLATION: We've completed the installation of the Parker
Linear slides on HAM-2 in preparation for a manual move of the CAS system to
correct the MC length.  The X-end station has been staged for removal and
replacement of the NW bellows, and Allen vented it this morning.  Leak
checking after the ETM-x installation revealed potential leaks in the N door
and spoolpiece annulus o-rings, so we'll remove the door and pullback the
adaptor at GV-12 to inspect the o-rings.  @ additional BSC bellows have been
baked and passed RGA scans.  2 of 5 remain.  We'll send the spares to MIT
after we replace ours, and return the leaking one to Senior Flexonics for
inspection and repair. (Jonathan Kern)
 

PSL intensity spectrum We measured intensity spectra of PSL before and after
pre-mode cleaner (pmc). We found two peaks in spectrum after pmc at 13.1 kHz
and 17.0 kHz.  These peaks were not observed in the spectrum before pmc
(except for a very small peak at 13 kHz that appeared occasionally.)
Following P. King's suggestion, we adjusted the input offset,
gain and output offset of pmc servo. By this adjustment, we were able to
make the above-mentioned peaks disappear from the after-pmc spectrum. Also
the level of spectrum after pmc became as low as before pmc. Also we found
that pmc's error signal has peaks at the same frequencies
 

Misalignment of PZT mirror We have been aware that the alignment of
PZT-mounted mirrors on PSL table shift over a couple of days. We
investigated the first pzt mounted mirror's alignment by monitoring the psl
beam with a quad sensor behind the periscope (on PSL table), and monitoring
the pzt driver's monitor out. So far, the voltage monitor seem to be
healthy. Quad sensor signals show hysterises, whose magnitude seems not to
be reproducible. We will continue to look into this problem.

Detector/Technical Support (Whitcomb, Coyne)

See also the daily electronic logs for the installation and commissioning activities:
Hanford Detector Log
Livingston Detector Log

1.1 LHO INSTALLATION & COMMISSIONING

2km Commissioning

One of the problems that had been identified in previous locking attempts was that the locking drive signals kicked up the pitch motion of the optic and because of stray light coupling, we were unable to increase the damping to remove the energy thus deposited.  Jay and Rolf came up with a scheme to use the optical levers for the angular damping of ITMx and ITMy (the worst offenders).  This was implemented and appears to work.  The anecdotal opinion (mine at least) is that it is more effective than the suspension damping.

Continued to work on the PSL frequency noise.  One of the largest acoustic peaks (at 254 Hz) was identified as due to the fan in the high voltage power supply for the EO shutter on IOT7.  This unit is designed for high power operation and we use it with very low duty cycle, so with the approval of the manufacurer, we disconnected the fan.  This eliminated the peak and reduced the rms frequency noise by above 50 Hz by about 20%.  Altogether, the work over the past few weeks has reduced the rms frequency noise above 20 Hz by about aa factor of 5.

Another major resonance (a broad peak at 50 Hz and common to both the 2 km and 4 km tables) has been identified as a rocking mode of the table, with the springiness of the legs as the restoring force.  Putting the 4 km up on solid blocks as a test greatly reduced that peak, with apparently little penaly at other frequencies.  We will be looking at how to do something different about the legs.

Input Optics

ASC Software

ISC Frequency Distribution

IO Controls

PSL

LIGO-TriNet

1.2 LLO INSTALLATION & COMMISSIONING

Commissioning

We will need to reset the length of the mode cleaner, since we had carefully set it to the wrong length. This will either be done externally (via a manual adjustment of the Coarse Actuation System), or internally, when we next vent to repair leaks in the vacuum system.

IO

PSL intensity spectrum - 13 KHz and harmonic spikes were found on the MC error signal and traced to the laser intensity after the PMC.  We were able to get rid of the lines by adjusting the PZT offset and servo gains, however the features are dynamic and reappear on 10 minute time scales.

Misalignment of PZT mirror - we have noticed that the alignment of PZT-mounted mirrors on PSL table shifts overnight. Monitoring of the psl beam with a quadsensor behind the periscope (on PSL table) is ongoing. We are also looking at the pzt driver's monitor out. So far, the voltage monitor seem to be healthy.  The quad sensor signals show hysterises, whose magnitude seems not to be reproducible. Given that this problem has plagued us before (at LLO and LHO), we will replace the PZTs with integral strain gauge position sensors.

LSC

Suspensions

I ended up getting some data and am analysing it. One suspect is the method used in the software for estimating the power in the sensor signals at the normal mode frequencies. Currently the power spectrum is estimated with a Hamming window and the highest point on the spectrum in the vicinity of the a priori estimate of the peak frequency is taken as the signal power. The Hamming window is a good general purpose window but it's not optimised for accurate peak height estimation and it's not even going to approach fraction of a percent accuracy. Other suspects include some interaction of the optic and the table. The combined energy of all the normal modes fluctuates over suspiciously small timescales, of order 30 s.

ASC

LIGO-TriNet

2.0 Other Engineering and Scientific Activities

2.1 Design/Analysis/Fab

Optical Metrology

Exciting news in the Metrology department....
We have generated a new reference data set using the three flat test data as in the past, but combining it with high spatial frequency data generated from averaging all data sets in which the reference flat "C" has been used.  The cutoff frequency has yet to be optimized, but the initial results are better than hoped for:  Optics from both CSIRO and GO which had previously measured at ~.8nm rms*, when analyzed with the new reference data are measuring at ~.3nm rms*   *over the central 80mm with tilt, power and astigmatism removed.

PSL

The output power of the #107a has been monitored.  No noticeable degradation of the output power has been observed when the laser is placed in standby overnight and activated during working hours.

Laser #110 is back at Lightwave Electronics for servicing along with power supply #108.  There was a delay with repairing the power supply because apparently Lightwave did not know why it was returned.  Repair of the #110 is scheduled to take place after the power supply is fixed, since neither we nor Lightwave have an available power supply.

All the paperwork for ordering the VME modules for the 40m Lab and LASTI PSL has been submitted.

The laser enclosure for the 40m Lab is ready to be shipped from the manufacturer to campus whenever we give the a-okay, which depends on when the renovations to the lab have been completed.

Rick Karwoski, Paul Russell
Most of the PSL activity related to the delivery of the basic Light Source. Work continues in the following areas:

Generation of a complete BOM for the PSL
Assessment of  the parts situation for the custom modules
Workload/resource and scheduling

Regarding the intensity stabilization, we were able to obtain, noise spectrum measurements  beyond 100 KHz with the new HP signal analyzer which we have on loan.  Regarding frequency response of the PSL, the new instrument has demonstrated inadequate dynamic range for our application.  We are investigating other possibilities.[ ] Normal [ ] Dennis Coyne 04:43 PM 10/11/00 -0700  4 [Fwd: replace hard drives]

ISC

Mohana Mageswaran
I am doing the PCB layout for my MC Servo Design. Ordered parts for my board.

CDS Software

Work continues on adding a frame file reader to the dataviewer.

Modulated OSEM Design

Ben Abbott
OSEM noise reduction circuit found to have a direct dependance on the input laser power.  Due to the nonlinearity of the photodiode, the gain of the sample-and-hold circuit would have to be adjusted every time the intensity of the reflected light changed noticeably.  While set to a point amplitude, however, the added attenuation is between 5-15dB, which is a push at least in the right direction.

New OSEM Heads

In the meantime, at MIT we are preparing for the head assembly -- making test equipment to more easily test the heads during assembly; lining up parts, etc.

Janeen Hazel-Romie
Surmet wants to do another coating run to try to get more carbon doped diamond  under the flange. They will make a fixture and try a run with it. Along with the Progressive Techology order for 150 of each size head, I'll place a like-size order for alumina heads with Surmet.

Digital Suspensions

• The layout of the LOS coil driver is complete and the boards are out for fab. They should be back by 10/20. The design of the chassis has been started.
• The LOS Bias module schematics are complete following incorporation of suggestions from this week's ISC meeting. Board layout should begin by 10/13.
• The rack layout for the LOS controls is 80% complete. Wiring diagrams for the system should be started next week.
• It was decided that the overall topology of the SOS dewhitening filter is correct, although the exact ripple, cutoff freq. and attenuation may not be correct (compatible with) the mode cleaner length control servo. The board design will proceed and the exact values of components will be incorporated once a more though analysis of the length servo is completed.

Mike Zucker worked out various design requirements issues for Jay Heefner re: digital LOS and SOS controls replacement.

TNI Suspensions

Data Monitoring Tool

Szabi Marka
DTT: The DTT software was reinstalled on the CDS network after the disk failure. The new version is up and running. Daniel released the new version of the excitation engine code. The timing board for the excitation engine was reconfigured and it is now synchronized to the GPS clock. The RAMP and TRIG outputs of the timing boards will be soon connected to the corresponding DAQ channels.
DMT: You can check out the new version of the DMT monitor web page at: http://blue.ligo-wa.caltech.edu/gds/dmt/Monitors/spi.html   Suggestions are welcome!

PEM/Cosmic Ray Detectors

Fabrication of 2nd (LLO) and spare detector modules completed. The prototype for the analog amplification and triggering Eurocard board nearly complete, as is the phototube voltage supply module. A VMIC 3123 A/D for signal readout has arrived. All of these will be tested at UO, along with prototype readout software, before installation at LHO/LLO. Hope to have full system to test at LHO in about one month.

Global Diagnostics

2.2 Issues Concerns

40 Meter Interferometer (Weinstein)

• The BIG news: Prince Andrew (the Duke of York, Charlie's little brother) will be visiting the 40m lab on November 2. An advance team from Buckingham Palace came by on Wednesday, and got all excited.
• 40 m Lab Rehab, from Fred Asiri: The contractor has completed the exterior as well as 90% of internal work. Electrical work is in progress and is about 60% complete. Construction work is overall about 75% complete. I have been notified by supplier of the power conditioner /isolation transformer units that the manufacturer of the units have stopped production until January 2001 with a long lead time on the above production. We are looking into alternate options.
• Output Chamber, from Fred Asiri: Fabrication of the seismic isolation and support system for the Output Chamber is in progress at Caltech Central Engineering Services. Fabrication is about 90% complete. We have issued a Change Order to Allied Engineering & Production Corp. contract for the baking and cleaning of the above parts.
• Vacuum control system upgrade: Dennis Ugolini and Ben Abbott have completed the Protel drawings for the vacuum control system valve controls. The pump spool valve box is being stuffed by Dennis U. Seven boxes for remote vales due to arrive later this week. Dennis will begin testing the EPICS control software with almost all of the hardware in place.
• CDS racks: Dennis Coyne, Rick Karwoski, and Ben Abbott have gone over the 40m rack counts, and possible changes that might be implemented in their gross architecture.
• Ben Abbott will begin learning about the EPICS control system, and start designing GUIs. First task: design the 40m GUI color scheme.
• Rick Karwoski is continuing to develop his documentation of all 40m sensors, actuators, photodiodes, beamlines, etc. He's now assembling a list of all racks, crates, etc, and all off the shelf (OTS) hardware and LIGO-special hardware. He and Ben Abbott will look into the required modifications to LIGO-special hardware (whiters, dewhiteners, PD circuits, RF distribution and mixing circuits, etc) that will need modification or development for the 40m upgrade.
• Rick and Dennis Coyne will find out from Rolf about the degree to which DAQs, controls (LSC and ASC), and PEM signal paths need to be kept separate.
• Garilynn is still waiting on a formal quote for core optics from Corning. She and Janeen need to know the wedge angles for the input mode cleaner flat mirrors (Mike Smith already specified them for the core optics). It's only important for baffling; no pickoff beams are necessary. So we need input from Mike Smith.
• Steve Vass is preparing the test mass chamber areas for Stacis installation. He is moving all the vacuum plumbing andequipment that's in the way. The problem with removing the bolts on the existing support feet has been solved by using a reciprocal saw.
• The output optic chamber RGA measurments for cleanliness evaluation are nearing completion. Steve plans to vent the chamber (so it can be moved out of the way for STACIS installation) on Monday. The pressure and calibrated leak data we have collected are difficult to interpret precisely, but the chamber looks clean enough to add to the 40m vacuum envelope. More detail here.

Thermal Noise Interferometer (Libbrecht)

        Regarding the primary TNI experiment, the boards for our satellite
amplifiers have arrived from the manufacturer, and CDS is stuffing them for
us.  We glued magnets and guide rods onto the last of our mirrors in
preparation for suspending them inside the vacuum chamber.
 

        In in our photothermal noise experiment, we have locked our laser to the
right-angle test cavity, using a low-power beam to measure the cavity
length and a high-power "pump" laser to thermally modulate the cavity
length.  The laser frequency servo limits out at a sensitivity around
10^-10 m above 100 Hz, and holds lock indefinitely.  With 400 mW of power
being chopped, the cavity length changes are on the order of 10^-8 m. With
phase-sensitive detection the SNR is around 1000.  The latest problem is
that the apparent length of the folded cavity is different for the S and P
polarizations by about 10 nm, probably due to the dielectric mirror
coating.  We're going to try using a silver mirror to fix this problem.
 

LASTI (Zucker)

LASTI (Mason, MacInnis, Smith, Kruzel, Shoemaker, Zucker, Radkins)
 

Vacuum/infrastructure: Drafted bellows leakcheck plan based on notes from
John Worden.
 

SEI installation:  Hugh Radkins arrived today, went through our equipment
inventory and game plan with us, and by 5pm we had one door off
HAM13 and the other door hanging free on its bolts.
Working out various rigging/load handling issues is a challenge in our
confined space but so far we've had enough good ideas. Meanwhile
the fine pier leveling is almost complete on the third HAM.  We have
a few fasteners that need vacuum baking but other than that we appear
to be OK on parts & equipment so far.

Data Analysis and Computing (Lazzarini)

Simulation and Modeling

Next Wednesday, October 18 through 20, there will be an e2e workshop
at Caltech.
The first day is a talk covering the outline of the e2e software package, physics in the
simulation model, distribution and maintenance of softwares, and the current
application of e2e for LHO and beyond. This will be held in the Millikan 6th floor
conference room.
Second and third days are reserved for the discussion with people from LHO (Michael),
LLO (Ed) and UFl (Malik) to discuss how to organize efforts to develop physics in e2e,
how to develop site specific modules and how to support the use of e2e at each site.
Anyone interested in any part of the workshop are welcomed.

LHO Simulation

Luca continued the comparison of the simulation and the LHO data with respect to the
misalignment effect on the lock.

1- It seems that the model was able to replicate what was observed experimentally: the full
acquisition of Lock of the IFO when the ETMs have an angular offset. As seen in real life, when
the code controls the IFO, the dc power fluctuations are very large and lock is held for a few
seconds, as observed. This modeling was done with an old version of Matt's code.
2- We have discovered that for these simulations, angle_resolution must be set to 1.e-12 and not
more! If not, the servos see the step in angle and introduce high frequency components that is then
fed back to the system. With 1.e-12, these signals are well-behaved.
3- Also, once the IFO is fully locked, the itf remains locked with mirror angles up to a few tenths
of a microrad (no more) on each mirror (no angles on BS).

Biplab kept working on generating the noise curve of the locked state of LHO. Major noises are
included. As to the missing violin mode thermal noise, Sam Finn has promised to deliver soon.

Optics modeling

Hiro is working on the correct implementation of the effect of the curvature mismatch.

Simulation Code

Tavio and Hiro worked together to find a bug in the revised code.
A new fast version ( by 30% ) of the simulation program will be released
soon. Biplab modified the summation modules (FP and Triangle cavity)
code to speed up the simulation.

ALFI

Ed finished the rework of rendering engine, and changed the code of
parsing the description file. These will increase the stability of the code.
All major crashing bugs reported have been addressed. Together with
Bruce, the program will be tested for the public release.

LIGO Data Analysis System

Software Systems (Blackburn)

 

 

The first cut at the new wrapperAPI was completed this week. Testing
of this code with a "null" dynamically loaded shared object has begun.
A few minor modifications to the structure of header files were made
at the recommendation of Kent.

The new version of the "wrapperAPI requirements and implementation"
documentation was completed on the LDAS side this week. The document
still needs input from the UWM group on the LALwrapperinterface which
sits at the top of the dynamically loaded shared object libraries.

Work on the mpiAPI which is used to start up and control the wrapperAPI
also saw significant development this week. Code is now in place for the
mpiAPI to start up wrapperAPI jobs on a cluster (BEOWULF). There are a
few problem areas associated with the nuances of ssh, but these should
be sorted out very soon.

The bug in the dataConditionAPI which was causing it to kill the
operating system on SMP Linux boxes was isolated to code in the
genericAPI and thereby existed in all LDAS APIs. A simple script
was written to exercise the bug and it was reproduced on non-SMP
linux and Solaris operating systems which indicated to us that the
bug really was in our code and not in the Linux OS. Alex Ivanov
was able to track down the bug exercised by the simple script to
functions which were being used in threads that were not thread
safe (they contained static variables). He has fixed these instances
of the problem and is checking the rest of the code for more instances
which haven't been exercised.

The current version of LDAS received extensive testing this week as
week work towards a stable version for the engineering run. Tests
indicate that the database performance has an inherent fluctuation of
about 10 percent independent of code modifications. Also we are seeing
about a 15% improvement in the performance of the ILWD data socket
transmission rates. The testing of frame I/O and translation into ILWD
shows almost no change with earlier versions of the code.

A new version of PERCEPS is being used as a foundation for our C++
documentation. Several exciting new documentation features are being
implemented using this version. We will have C++ class cross referencing,
code snippets and better support for the ANSI/ISO C++ language with
this version.

The problem with building LDAS on systems which didn't have the appropriate
database interface has been fixed thanks to Alex. Alex also added code to
force exceptions to be thrown when the data length of ILWDs exceeded that
which the attributes specified.

The problems with using X windows in controlMonitorAPI have been sorted
out as of this week. Two meetings were held this week in an effort to
prioritize the functionality that should be in place in the
controlMonitorAPI
at the time of the engineering run. The tapecontrol script developed by
Greg Mendell at Hanford for writing FRAME data to tape during the next
engineering run will be temporarily integrated into the controlMonitorAPI,
allowing monitoring and operator instructions in the event of an error to
be displayed in the control room.

Peter Shawhan has continued developing the "data flow manager" (dfm)
which facilitates the communication between user interface programs
and LDAS.  Currently, the dfm supports metadata and raw data
retrieval (via the LDAS frameAPI), and there are working command-
line interfaces to do these operations (getMeta, getRaw); these
command-line interfaces can be called from scripts, opening up a
wide range of possibilities for processing the output.  As part
of this work, Peter had to come up with a secure way to store a
user's LDAS username and password, so that it doesn't have to
appear in whatever scripts are written.

 

Hardware Systems (Anderson)

 

 

LDAS @ LLO has been sucessfully upgraded to Solaris 8, RedHat 6.2, and Gigabit
Ethernet.

A script to backup data from the framebuilder during the 2nd engineering
run at LHO has been completed and tested.

Data Analysis Activities

General Computing

MIT:
Daniel sigg is at MIT for a week to install DMT, and diagnostics software, on
the 450. Our hope is to use it quite intensively to analyze E2 data.
Finally, received the Solaris 8 OS media.

Livingston:
Getting quotes for the tape robot to be used for the backup system.
Received the Sparc 5's that are going to be used as test units.

Hanford:
Nothing to report. (See Hanford weekly)

CIT:

(Lisa)
- Evaluated a demo copy of Cactus Backup Professional software for Solaris and
NT.  The installation is pretty easy but the server software has bugs in the
GUI.  It is also very expensive.
- Installed Sun's Solstice Backup software.  I have not yet finished installing
and testing it out with a client yet.
- Put up "monitor shelves." with Bill and Larry and getting a number of old
hardware items cleared out.
- Fixed a problem on one of the UNIX workstations at WH that crashed.  Ssh
wouldn't work when it came back up.
- Restored files off tape backup for Biplab Bhawal.
- Resolved some network & printer issues for Paul Russell.
- Moved equipment around.  I'm still swapping out old computers on the 3rd floor
of Bridge.

(Sam)
-Still dealing with Dell on a recent laptop purchase, the resolution of the
issue it taking a ridiculous amount of time.
-Rebuilt Liz's machine
-Rebuilt the 300MHz
-Fixed Ed C's e-mail
-Lotsa of Homework

(Barbara)
- Installed the reworked Publications pages.
- Installed the reworked LSC Rosters.  Preparing 2 additional rosters, one
for LIGO I participants and the other for Advanced LIGO participants.
- Updated the MOU/History pages with additional documents.

(Larry)
- Fixed a number of PC problems. A few dealing with password encryption and
others were checking things out to make sure the problem was outside of LIGO's
control.
- Received approval from Gary and Rai on a plan to improve the rate which
documentation of the LSC meetings are put in the DCC and on the WEB.
- Working a number of procurement issues covering everything from projector
orders and installations, network equipment, PC and SUN workstations, and
maintenance contracts. Cleared up a few issues with SUN on some equipment
orders, it appears that some of the multimedia equipment SUN sales is no longer
being fabricated. Still waiting for a couple of disk drives we were shorted on
the big SUN order.
- Reworking the financial plans for the next few years to accommodate requested
changes.

LIGO II/Advanced R&D (Sanders)

From: Peter Fritschel <pf@ligo.mit.edu>

In light of the technical difficulties in achieving a sub-10 Hz vertical
mode in the last suspension stage, we are in the process of reviewing
the current 10 Hz specification of the seismic wall. As part of this I
have polled the gravitational wave theorists for input on the impact of
moving up the wall frequency. Responses to date indicate little impact
if the wall is moved to 12-13 Hz; for example, Kip looked at the effect
on observations of BH/BH mergers with intermediate mass, and found that
the maximum binary mass for which mergers could be seen scales inversely
with the cutoff frequency--moving the wall from 10 Hz to 12.5 Hz would
decrease the maximum observable binary mass from 2500 to 2000 solar
masses. Further consideration of these issues and of the technical
issues is needed before any decision is made.

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