Weekly Report for Week Ending April 3, 2003

The LIGO Executive Committee Agenda for Monday  December 23, 2002 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

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)

• CR-030002 Revision A, Budget Adjustments to reflect actual staffing levels for first half of FY 2003
• CR-030003, Implement an OC3 WAN Link from LHO via ESnet
  

Special Items:  The Status of Operations Expenses vs Budgets for 1st Half of FY 2003

Special Announcements:

Weekly Report Highlights  

No report.

Laboratory Administration (Lindquist)

There was a site teleconferences held on Thursday, April 3, 2003.  The following issues were among those discussed:

Change Request CR-030003:  This change request is for an OC3 WAN Link from Hanford via ESnet.  We will discuss this during the meeting of the Executive Committee on Monday, April 7, 2003.

Budget Issues: The construction liens list has been published on the web as a part of the report for the end of March.  We will review it during the meeting of the Executive Committee on Monday, April 7, 2003.  The report for the operations funds has also been prepared.  We are running at about 70 percent of budget.

Petty Cash Procedures: Would like to have the bank send the original bank statements and checks to Caltech/LIGO.  Caltech will send copies to the sites.  Ed Jasnow will be doing the reconcilliation. Hanford concurred.  If we change to corporate accounts, may have to start the coporate accounts with new money.  Will try to prepare a set of procedures for petty cash at remote sites.  Should be incorporated into procedure manuals for sites, as soon as those spring into existence.  Action 120.

Ed Jasnow has a previous action (action 118) to discuss with with the P-Card folks the need to update the documentation on the use of P-Cards.  LIGO is authorized to procure things using a P-Card that the rest of the Campus has not been allowed to do.  An list of exceptions needs to be provided for the LIGO rules.

Proposal from Chervenell:  Still hoping to have a quote shortly for the sun shades.  This is the only thing holding up the additional work on the Hanford Laboratory building.

Drainage at the Entrance to the Livingston OSB:  The concrete at the front of the building has an area where water accumulates.  Formulating a plan for a proposal.  Will have a proposal by next week.

Gate at Hanford:  The gate and camera are working in Hanford.  Opens from the control room.  Cost approximately $30,000.

Personnel:  An organization chart has been prepared.  Copies will be mailed to members of the site teleconference committee.

The list of current actions revised to reflect the status of open actions assigned through December 12, 2002 may be found at ACTION LIST.

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

• Provided support to the Detector Group (G. Billingsley) with packing and shipping of one (1) Fused Silica) 128mmx53mm and one (1) Axis 120mm x 80mm to Wave Precision (J.Tardif), Moorpark, CA.  Account Number P204296.
• Provided support to the Detector Group (M. Smith) with packing and shipping of a defective Glan Brewster Angle Polarizer to VINOD VATS (K. Lambrecht), Chicago, IL.  Account Nunber P205472.
• Provided support to the Data Analysis Group (S. Anderson) with packing and shipping of a FastIron Evaluation Unit to Foundry Network (D.Allen), Alviso, CA. Account Number P204261.
• Provided support to the Detector Group (M. Smith) with packing and shipping of two Laser Mirrors to CVI Laser Corp. (T. Bradiger) Albuquerque, NM . Account Number P205472.
• Provided support to the Detector Group (H. Armandula ) with the shipment of two (2) Transit Case to LHO (D.Cook). Account Number P204324.
• Note: Four (4) Pickup Trucks and One (1) Forklift were donated to the City of Livingston 3/27/03.  [This was excess property donated with government approval. --pel]

>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. . .

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• No report.

• Reminder to LIGO staff:  Please make sure that as a minimum, each document submitted has a LIGO number, author's name, and date.  It's surprising how many documents are missing one of more of these essential pieces of information!.

ACTIVITY

• Processed a handful of LSC documents still trickling in.  Electronic document activity was fairly steady.  Created file folders, sorted and filed documentation.
  DCC Activity


WE 04/03/03	Packages	Faxes
In	33	38
Out	16	30

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

Press here for ACCOUNTS PAYABLE HISTORY DATA .

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

• Working on Change Order #8 to Sydney Meshkov, Change Order #21 to Excel Group, and Change Order #2 to Excel Group (T & M).
• Placed Pcard orders.  Reconciled Pcard orders.
• Working on the Landscape Horizons maintance for the LHO facility.  The new maintance agreement covers the area landscaped by Heritage, and the new landscaping by Landscape Horizons.
  

• Completed and posted the monthly financial reports for March on the network.
• Completed the report for the Visitor account for March and gave a copy to Donna Tomlinson. 
• Completed and posted charts comparing FTE's budgeted vs. actuals, one by account charged, and the other by employee type.
• Met with Ed Jasnow to go over suggestions for recommended procedures for petty cash accounts. 
• Prepared schedule of budget staffing adjustments for the first six months of the fiscal year.
  
  
• Financial reports can be found at: http://docuserv.ligo.caltech.edu/~fireport

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

• Univ. of Florida: Proposal was received for continuing on-site support at LLO through 2006. Contract modification is in the works.  CO 14 adds funds for two new scientists through end of April 2006. The scientists will be resident at LLO.
• RFP/SEI Mechanical Structure: Release of the solicitation is pending definitization of design requirements.
  
• Quarterly Report/Coop. Agreement/LIGO Construction: The last Quarterly Report (for period ending Feb., 02) has been delayed due to other priorities (new procurements and LSC).
  

• We are still waiting for the final proposal from Chervenell Construction for the modifications to the LHO Laboratory Building.  Additionally, a propoal will also be sent for paving of the parking lot.
• A design is being prepared for a new drainage system for the front of the LLO OSB.  This will remove the problem of standing water.
• The final design for the LLO access gate is expected next week.

• A new written procedure will be issued for the operation of petty cash accounts at both sites.

SUPPORT (Baldon, Torres, Lloyd, Tischler)

>Irene Baldon

• Processed the paper work for two (2) new/revised trips.  There are sixteen (16) trips in various stages of completion before ticketing can be done and/or paper work completed.  Also assisted a number of P-Card holders with their travel plans/reservations or revisions.  Until further notice I will be doing travel for LHO travelers.
• Completed thirteen (13) Expense Reports and there are three (3) reports yet to be done.  I continue to contact travelers who have outstanding Expense Reports (more than one (1) month old) to ask for their cooperation in sending me their receipts so that they can be closed in a timely manner.
• Reconciled eleven (11) P-Card items which required numerous phone calls to hotels, car rentals, etc., in order to track down which traveler incurred which charge; and the pulling of each traveler's file to assure that charges are correct for each fee incurred.  Assisted a few travelers with their questions in regard to their P-Card and/or reconciliation.
• I continued to collect a few EFT stragglers and hope that more will come.  It is anticipated that this pilot program will now start up by May 1, 2003.  Your cooperation in promptly returning the form to me (Irene Baldon, M.C. 18-34), filled out, with a VOIDED check or deposit slip attached, is greatly appreciated.
• Worked on the preparation and distribution of the Travel/Vacation Itinerary for March 31, 2003.  Arranged three (3) new teleconferences; arranged cancelation for two (2) meetings for this week; and entered four (4) new reservations on the LIGO Calendar.  Performed normal recording and filing associated with Travel and Reimbursement.
• I continue to do MIT's travel to the sites for installation activities and also to assist them wherever possible.
  

• Processed the usual invoices for payment. Tracked and followed up on invoice problems. Reviewed and recorded payments processed by Esther the week of March 24.
• Processed the usual requisitions, change orders and payment requests.
• Continue to monitor contract and blanket order encumbrance and notify task managers when supplements are needed.
• Jim continues with data entry in the LIGO database and helping out in the DCC.
  

• Set-up laser eye exams for new LIGOites this week.  Worked with B.Tyler/CIT Safety to set-up laser safety training.  Organizing photos from various CDs to turn over to D.Beckett.  Scanned some documents for submission to DCC.  Draft newsletter articles for March/April.  Gathered originals for sites re: press kit inserts.
  

Advanced LIGO (Frey)

Weekly Advanced LIGO Project Controls meetings was held on Friday the 28th at 8:30am at SCR.

For list of documents that are being used to develop Adv. LIGO Cost and Schedule, see http://www.ligo.caltech.edu/~tfrey/Cost_MTG_082002/

Advanced LIGO MRE Proposal (Highest Priority)

• Continue to work on revisions / corrections to the Adv. LIGO cost profiles and will generate budget sheets for review by Phil.
• The following is a summary of status by sub system:
  • COC - Still need completed WBS dictionary and BOE.
  • PSL -  No action items pending.
  • AOS - Still need completed WBS dictionary and BOE.
  • IO -  Still need completed WBS dictionary and BOE.
  • SUS - No action items pending.
    • Updated the plan with progress as of 03.28.03 and  posted to site.
    • Sent out update data requests for progress as of 04.18.03.
  • SEI - Received revised (Version 3) data from Dennis and data input of WBS and BOE is in progress.
  • ISC - Still need completed WBS dictionary and BOE.
  • LDAS - No action required at this point in time.
  • INSTALL - Dennis provided a revision and data input is in progress.
  • DAQ - No action required at this point in time.
  • PM - No action required at this point in time.
  • FAC - No action required at this point in time.
  • SUP - Need estimate for support equipment.  Action item to be executed by Dennis.

Continue to update the TNI Schedule and incorporate any changes.

• No update issued.  Revised baseline pending action by Eric Black.

Continue to update the LASTI Schedule and incorporate any changes.

• No update issued due to lack of data.  No direction provided to date regarding a revised plan.

Project Plan for the 40-Meter Lab Upgrade continues.

• Updated the plan with progress as of 03.28.03 and  posted to site.
• Sent out update data requests for progress as of 04.18.03.

Cost Book Tool.

• ROSTER DATABASE:
  • Working with Larry and Barbara to set up a process by which the roster database updates selected alias lists.
  • BK is continuing work on action items.
  • Continued input of supervisor, dept., and specialty codes.
  • Providing assistance to Irena on a as needed basis.

• COST BOOK DATABASE:
  • BK is continuing work on action items.
  • Started work on preparing format for hard copy version to be submitted for NSF reviews.

Development of the Advanced LIGO Project Controls Guidebook continues.

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

The Construction project quarterly report for the end of February was scheduled to be submitted at the end of March.  Irena has been working on this, but has been distrtacted by a number of  other priority issues: LSC, contract activities for seismic isolation, core optics, etc.  We have discussed priorities, and the quarterly report will slip.

The following Change Requests have been distributed for discussion during the next meeting of the LIGO Executive Committee (April 7, 2003):

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

• Various personnel/payroll /HR related work.

Quality/Safety (Tyler)

No report this week.

LIGO Hanford Observatory (LHO) and Interferometer Operations (Raab)

LIGO Livingston Observatory (LLO) and Interferometer Operations (Coles)

S2 Update: The interferometer continues to operate at around the 40% level, a value roughly constant throughout the run. Most recently, that value has fallen to around 38%. Daytime operation has been negligible the last few days, with high seismic backgrounds. Today, the background was unusually high in the 0.3-1.0 Hz band. We have also had some hardware failures this past week. The end station controllers both burned out, likely due to attempting to operate in a demanding seismic environment. Ken Watts promptly repaired the controllers and restored them to operation. When the ground is quiet, the interferometer continues to run well. Last night we maintained lock for about 6 hours with an in-spiral range consistently above 1.1 Mpc.

Seismic Isolation System: I have continued to support Larry Jones with information regarding the inertial sensors and more recently information to support spring rate claims for the ETF and EPI efforts. Monday, the LIGO SolidWorks users group had the inaugural meeting and discussed Concerns about an enterprise solution for digital content configuaration control as well as storage. We have been trying to find ways to share electronic data for sometime, and are coming close to a solution. We also decided to upgrade our Software to SolidWorks 2003. (Marcel)
 
End-to-end Model: We continued modeling of suspension dynamics with e2e. We simulated the motion of a pendulum set up on campus using e2e and compared the result with mesurement. The transfer function measured for the yaw degree of freedom shows reasonable agreement with the simulation. The ratio between the peak value and the tail value at 3.3 Hz agrees with the simulation with +/-10%. (This pendulm has pend/yaw/pitch peak at 1.05/1.3/3.3 Hz). The experimental curve shows a peak near the natural frequency of the pendular motion, indicating coupling between pendular and yaw motion. (T. Findley and S. Yoshida)

General Computing: Investigating options for the switches at the end stations. These had to be shut down before S2 because of accoustic noise. I called and spoke to one of the engineers yesterday and he told me that Foundry is aware of the problem and they are working on it, however this will continue to cause major problems on my network until this can be solved.

Looking into some Mathematica issues. Tom is going to call Wolfram and change the license, but there are still some font issues.
Added security pathes to several machines at LLO. There has to be a better way of managing patches now that we have so many machines.

Talked to a friend today that works for Cox cable to revisit some possibilities of getting increased bandwidth to the observatory.
Started reading the documentation on updating the software on the PIX since it has been having a few problems lately. I have had to reboot the PIX twice in the last three months because it stopped passing any packets to the internet.

Ordered several Matlab licenses for some additional toolboxes, etc.

Ordered a laptop for Chethan. Dell canceled the original order.

LDAS: Checked into the dual processor AMD systems with Angstrom Microsystems. They also offer two dual processor units in 1U of rackspace. However, due to time constraints and other reasons that are architecture dependent, Stuart says that this will not be a realistic option. (Shannon)

LDAS admin: The new tape robot is mostly installed, still waiting for tapes.

LDAS data analysis: Working on single pixel clusters and coincidence with time-frequency window in waveburst. (Igor)

CDS: (Ash)

• Prepared the design and implementation documentation for the Digital Suspension Watchdog System.
• Attended the Scimon duties for the thursday and sunday shift.
• Made progress in developing diagnostic routines to help operators in the control room

ROBO-SCIMON's TWIN is successfully doing his automatic e-logging of Figure-of-Merit displays at the end of each shift. Dave is thinking of setting up this at Hanford. ROBO-SCIMON's TWIN will be getting his brains soon and will do intelligent logging of noise spectrum when the ifo is locked. Setup an automatic script to download latest applications for sun workstations. Working on porting the Matlab Dataget code to Windows environment. DVD_Robot backup is working well and used for backups. Planning on re-configuring london and river after S2. S2 has gone well in terms of software and CDS issues. No major problems reported. Systems have been up for above 97% of the time.  (Chethan Parameswariah)

Detector/Technical Support (Coyne)

40 Meter Interferometer (Weinstein)

• Helena cleaned the two ETMs. They are ETM02 and 03. Their radius of curvature are very close, 59.92m and 59.75m respectively. The magnet/dumbell standoffs are also assembled. She went over the bonding procedure with Steve.
• Bob is cleaning and baking the last earthquake stop screws that are needed for the MOS suspensions
• Bob has fully assembled the two MOS and two SOS suspensions. Janeen reviewed the suspensions and they look ready to go but for these screws.

• The beam on the FSS RFPD is jittering, causing the signal to fluctuate. Conor has been investigating. Conor made several changes to the PSL table around and downstream of the AOM. There were two major concerns: (1) The beam jitter of the double passed AOM beam and (2) Fluctuating power levels. Conor increased the RF drive to the AOM through the VCO from 3.50 Volts to 5.00 V, realigned the AOM, and aligned the beam as close as possible to the PZT side of the AOM crystal. These three actions resulted in an increase in single pass efficiency through the AOM from 40% to 75%. After realignment and iterative adjustment to the retro-reflector angle and the AOM angle, a maximum double pass power of 19.3 mW was obtained, form a 31.5 mW incident beam. This is a double pass efficiency of around 60%. The beam jitter appears to be gone, but this requires further investigation. The single- and double-pass power fluctuations are still present, but appear to be significantly reduced. It may be necessary to translate the AOM along the propagation axis to ensure it is at the beam waist. After all these changes, the FSS will have to be re-optimized.
• Ben is working on a final design, layout, and packaging for the ISS DC PD. He hopes to have it to the board house by Friday.

• Ben and Bob are rewiring the DSC system. They have finished the crate and module rearrangement, and the cross connect re-wiring, on 1Y4 and 1Y5, and will go on to the back panel and front panel wiring starting today.
• Jay has modified the system drawings for the IO WFS rack to combine two VME half-crates into one split-backplane crate. This crate collects signals from the IO WFSs through Pentek ADCs and thence to a linux box via RM for ASC filtering, sends signals to the IO PZT steering mirrors through a Pentek DAC, collects fast signals from the PSL through an ISC110B and thence to DAQS via RM, collects the MC length control signal from the MC servo through Pentek ADC and thence to the DSC system via RM. The other half of the crate is an EPICS IOC for signals from the PSL and MC.
• From Rolf: LSC code updated to include addition photodiode correction filter banks and outputs; undergoing testing with 40m system.
• From Rolf: New digital suspension software for 40m lab should be ready in the next few days. Still to do:
  - Waiting new high speed reflective memory boards. Call last Thursday said they were shipping, but just received call today that they have not shipped yet. They will ship today.
  - Waiting rack mount 3.0 GHz P4 processor (should arrive today).
  - Finishing cleanup work on timing diagnostics and data acquisition/GDS.
• From Rolf: Started testing digital IO WFS system. This should be ready to install at 40m lab early next week.
• Jay reports that the system drawings for our LSC / ASC system are around 90% complete.

• OPTICS PARTS LIST, Orders pending: Input mode-matching telescope off-axis parabolic mirrors are expected first week in April from SORL; repair of two damaged tilt platforms expected first week in April from Piezo Jena; 1 q-switch E/O shutter from Fast Pulse; 1 Brewster's angle polarizer for SPS anamorphic prism steering mirror from KLC; Brewster's angle polarizer mounts for the Faraday isolator are in process; spherical mirrors for MMT are expected from CVI in a few weeks; Guoy phase lenses for IMCR are expected from CVI in by 4/7; replacement power connector for the 4 W 940n from Applied Optics is expected by 4/7.
• FARADAY ISOLATOR: Working drawings for the Brewster's angle polarizer mounts for the Faraday isolator were completed, and parts are being manufactured.
• OPTICAL LEVER ASSY: Reworked parts were received and are awaiting checking and assembly.
• IFO STEERING MIRRORS: Parts are awaiting checking.
• MODE MATCHING TELESCOPE: Replacement power connector for the missing power cable for the 4 W 940nm alignment autocollimator laser was ordered. Awaiting telescope mirrors.
• INTEGRATED LAYOUT DRAWING: The ILD was revised to incorporate the new Brewster's angle Faraday isolator, the SOS anamorphis prism mirror, and the revised SPS beam path.
• Mike has ordered some replacement Guoy telescope lenses for the IO WFS, that are still missing.
• Alexei has made one electro-optic shutter (EOS) work. He resolved some questions about how to wire up the Q-switch, and where to ground it. The EPICS controls are not yet ready, so he's patching around that with an old 24-volt power supply and a function generator. He tested the EOS controller box, and works ok for a while; after about 10 minutes, it no longer send the correct gate signal to the pulser. But until then, he can adjust the HV and observes the output power to vary from near-zero to near-max. He is optimizing the HV and alignment. After resolving all the remaining problems, he will install the shutter in the MCR beamline, then turn to the EOS's needed for the SP and AP beamlines. A 2nd Q-switch is in hand, a third on back-order. Two more controllers are in the shop.
• Ben ordered some SHV connectors to connect the HV to the Q-switches; they should arrive by the end of the week.

• The maglev TP1 was at the manufacturer for repairs, but they found no problem. They've shipped it back, we should get it by the end of the week.
• Steve has set up the camera to view ITMy, in addition to cameras already in place for MC1, MC2, MC3, ITMx, and BS.
• The CC gauge near TP3 is not working; the controller has a bad board. It's been sent out for repair.
• Steve completed the laser inventory forms required by the safety officers.
• Our second new dry scroll pump is making squeeking noises, just as the first one did before it failed.

• Bob is baking the remaining EQ stop screws for our suspensions.
• Bob finished a bake job for Lee.
• Bob has finished cleaning and baking a new set of cleanroom tools for use in the South Annex.

1. Electronic Noise - Measured
2. Mode-cleaner Seismic Noise - Measured
3. Shot Noise - Not measured; photodetector noise dominates due to low laser power. That is the relevant noise source at these power levels, so it was measured instead.
4. Laser Frequency Noise - Estimated, but checks on mode-cleaner error signal reveal potential problems (see below)
5. Laser Intensity Noise - Still to be measured
6. Pendulum thermal noise estimate - done, based on

a. Loss angle in wires ~3e-4 from Gillespie and Raab, Phys. Lett. A (190) 213-220 (1994).
b. Pendulum Dilution Factor <1e-2, from Saulson, Fundamentals of Interferometric Gravitational Wave Detectors, p. 122(World Scientific, 1994).

1. UGF measured, found to be 90kHz at present gain settings, but transfer function deviates from prediction as frequency approaches 100kHz from a substantial loss of phase.
2. Lightwave 126 PZT resonance expected around 130kHz (Peter King, private communication), which could account for loss of phase.
3. Need higher-frequency network analyzer to measure transfer functions above 100kHz. Obtained Agilent 4395A and started setting up. Measurements to follow.
4. Free-running laser frequency noise checked by mode cleaner's error signal with all boosts off. Some increase in noise since last measurement (Fall 02), but not significant.
5. Mode cleaner's error signal with all boosts on does not agree with predictions.

• Rough agreement with predictions. Need to fine-tune pole and zero frequencies for better calibration.

MEPI: Myron, Ken and Bill completed the modification to the alignment shims under the remaining MEPI piers, and Bill re-measured their mechanical transfer functions.  As Rich had predicted from the exploration done last week on the first pier, the most troublesome resonances are all greatly improved. This should allow a significant improvement in the MEPI bandwidth and noise suppression (stay tuned).

HEPI: Brian Lantz isolated a noise problem due to some electrical interference with the pump controller; this prevented the sensor correction from working properly by swamping the required coherence between ground motion and pier motion with common-mode pressure noise. Good suppression performance has now been recovered and the controller is being re-optimised to improve it still further. Also, additional geophones have been added to the internal BSC payload to map its response in more degrees of freedom.

Data Analysis and Computing (Lazzarini)

• Worked on some more ways of simplifying the equations for the modeler's functions analyzer.  Also incorporated the changes to the code base and doing some benchmarks with SimLIGO.
• Working on a new if-then-else construct for the modeler.

• Design and implementation of bundle features.  Currently cleaning up ConnectionProxy to be used as a base class for BundleConnectionProxy.  May turn into an abstract class to be used as a base for all types of connections.
• Testing of new JGo package which has now been installed.

• Worked a bit on the temperature graph component for Big Brother.
• Got a copy of RH9.0 (final release beta) So have started to explore revamping the Install procedures for ldas machines.
• Download a new copy of System Imager. With the new Beowulf nodes coming, this will need to work flawless.
• Also setting up email account for syslog email to be sent to. This should help with administrating the large clusters.

• Worked with several vendors to obtain configurations and quotes for the remaining LDAS construction equipment. The largest sub-system is the cluster nodes for which the bid closed on April 2 and a winner has been identified. The remaining two sub-systems are networking, and servers/storage.

• The new taperobot is mostly installed, still waiting for tapes.

• Checked into the dual processor AMD systems with Angstrom Microsystems.  They also offer two dual processor units in 1U of rackspace.  However, due to time constraints and other reasons that are architecture dependent, Stuart says that this will not be a realistic option.

• The primary sys admin focus of the last week has been to keep tapecontrol, createrds, and LDAS running at LHO.  The tapecontrol script continues to archive the raw data without problems.  The createrds script is also running without problems, but still falling behind by about 3 hrs per day.  By running a parallel copy of the script it will be able to catch up before the S2 run ends. The LDAS mpiAPI hung twice during the past week.  This was believed to be due to a known bug and the problem was fixed by restarting the mpiAPI.  Otherwise LDAS has been running without problems for the past week.

• Currently generated 2048 s calibrated SFTs for H1 for S2 data between Feb 22 2003 and the present.
• Distributed to the PULG group the latest getsftdata script, which is a command line tool for accessing the SFT data via LDAS (requires an ldas password and ligotools to run).  The Michigan group used this to analyze S1 SFTs and plans to use it to start looking at S2 SFTs.
• Submitted to LDAS an enhancement request to reduce the syntax needed when requesting SFT data to make running jobs on long stretches of SFT data manageable within LDAS.
• Working on a command like tool called getFstat that streamlines running knownpulsardemod DSO jobs that output the F statistic (requires an ldas password and ligotools to run).  The purpose here is to make it easier for nonexperts to run my DSO and easier for me to configure batches of jobs.

• Finished studying the "safety" of the REFL_I veto used for H1 in the S1 inspiral upper limit.  As expected, the glitchMon-based veto condition that we finally settled on is extremely safe.
• Gave a talk about the S1 inspiral analysis at Penn State.
• Discussed statistical issues, especially those involved in claiming a detection with some confidence, with Sam Finn.
• Reviewed drafts of various people's presentations to be given at the APS Meeting.

• Had status meeting with Massimo Tinto and Rick Jenet.
• Have written up section describing numerical differences between correlation calculated via matched filtering vs. FCT.

• Writing sections of the Burst search paper.
• Running on hardware injections.
• Took scimon shifts remotely from Caltech.  Following up with Rolf, Lisa Bogue, Peter Shawhan, and MIT to get all the right software installed there.

• Investigating options for the switches at the end stations.  These had to be shut down before S2 because of acoustic noise.  I called and spoke to one of the engineers yesterday and he told me that Foundry is aware of the problem and they are working on it, however this will continue to cause major problems on my network until this can be solved.
• Looking into some Mathematica issues.  Tom is going to call Wolfram and change the license, but there are still some font issues.
• Added security patches to several machines at LLO.  There has to be a better way of managing patches now that we have so many machines.
• Talked to a friend today that works for Cox cable to revisit some possibilities of getting increased bandwidth to the observatory.
• Started reading the documentation on updating the software on the PIX since it has been having a few problems lately.  I have had to reboot the PIX twice in the last three months because it stopped passing any packets to the internet.
• Ordered several Matlab licenses for some additional toolboxes, etc.
• Ordered a laptop for Chethan.  Dell canceled the original order.

• Helping with re-build problems on an old laptop.
• Working with Dell to fix a video problem on a new laptop.
• Sent a request for quote for the GigE network upgrade equipment.
• Purchased two more laptops and some site license software upgrades.
• Reinstalled the Caltech VPN client on the guest PCs.
• Ordered a large key keyboard for Otto.
• Installed latest version of Sun compilers on the license server.
• Misc. user support.

• It appears that things are a go for the WAN OC3 connection to the Observatory.  Albert has worked things out with the DOE and PNNL. Equipment is on order for the installation and the contract details are being worked out by Fred Raab.

• Monthly backups.
• Worked on a mail problem where a self-propogating e-mail worm got into a loop with the RAV software.
• Took care of a number of file restoration requests.
• Worked on an ssh problem with Glasgow.  Problems could be resolved by using a server with a newer version of ssh.

• LIGO website: posting various updates. Posting belated Aspen meeting talks as they keep arriving. Last week Larry and I worked on locating and ultimately correcting a problem with the DCC database. It was caused by two non-standard entries in one of its fields. It has been corrected and now runs properly. We suggested that the entry format be followed closely.
• Taped a video of the Apr 1 LIGO seminar. Processed and posted it for streaming.
• LSC website: posting the March meeting transparencies as they arrive.  Posted updates to the website. Working on the LSC meeting talks database on a query of sessions for closed talks.
• Advanced LIGO: working with David Shoemaker on the contents of the website.

• Finished up loading Barry's new office PC and have it swapped out.
• Helped Ed J. put together a staff Flow Chart.
• Brought over some old equipment over, from Wilson House, to surplus that included computers & monitors.
• Reloaded a PC from the back house that is hooked to the milling machine.  This had a lot of data that needed to be transferred over to a replacement computer which is a 750Mhz compared to a 233Mhz.
• Finished up loading a replacement PC for Phoenix and copied users data over to new PC & swapped out her computer.
• Finished up loading Don W.'s replacement PC and copied over his data & now have it swapped out.
• Loaded a new replacement 2U server for PICTOR. I still have a lot of work ahead of me for this is the Primavera server & Flex LM license server for ansys software. This is currently running on NTSRV4.0, which I am upgrading to 2000 server.

• Went through a number of procurements. We've a number of new computers on order and have received a few new ones. Two units have been returned for replacement since they were DOA. Still trying to resolve a maintenance contract with SUN.  Putting in for a new contract with Foundry.
• Spent a deal of time working on various DCC items. Getting the linking program issue resolved was the big one.
• Worked on a couple of file restorations. Working on one from old tapes that are in the process of being catalogued. This one will take sometime to finish.
• Worked with Lisa on a couple of RAV issues. We are now blocking quite a bit of spam and obscene e-mail. It should be noted, users with ITS accounts and having their e-mail forwarded to their LIGO account will receive more spam since we don't block any of the Caltech domains.
• Worked on a couple of PC repairs. We've been having some problems with memory boards.
• Setup a number of new user accounts.
• Checking out portable air-conditioners to be used as a backup.
• Powered up the new Cisco router and will be changing its power setup today. We should be able to start the s/w installation next week.
• Cleared up some minor security issues.

LIGO II/Advanced R&D (Shoemaker)

Seismic Isolation

From: Dennis Coyne <coyne@ligo.caltech.edu>
 
Performed a frequency analysis of the quad suspension structure to help establish a design concept and a mass for SEI payload mass property requirements. The analysis is documented in LIGO-T030044-02. This document is temporarily available here:
http://www.ligo.caltech.edu/~coyne/AL/SUS/T030044-02.pdf until it is filed in the LIGO document archives.

Revised layouts for the non-folded interferometer have been established (optics tables in chambers HAM1, HAM3, HAM4, BSC1, BSC2 and BSC3; not yet the ETM chambers). These layouts have been used to get payload mass properties and are being used to establish the balance weight distributions and the SEI payload mass property limits for the SEI structure RFP. These layouts and final payload mass property estimates/limits will be documented soon in a system, configuration controlled interface document.

Suspension

From: Janeen Romie <romie_j@ligo.caltech.edu>

Caltech Suspensions Summary:
Mike Perreur-Lloyd and Calum Torrie designed a rotational adjustment for the upper blades on a triple suspension while Mike was here on his last visit. The rotational adjuster is based on a design created by Alastair Grant for the MIT quadruple pendulum.

Dennis Coyne has performed detailed frequency analysis of the quad pendulum structure and has created a preliminary report of this. Ask Janeen or Dennis for a copy, if you're interested.

Recycling mirror blade drawings are ready for the RFQ process. The design of the RM upper mass is complete but for review of stiffness and deflection.

The mode cleaner drawing packages were delivered to three local machine shops for quote information to support the AdLIGO proposal.

 AdLIGO Suspensions:
Caroline Cantley from the Glasgow group will be visiting us here at Caltech next week, April 7-16. We'll be working on the triple structure stiffening and FEA along with the quad structure concepts. We look forward to her visit.

Still interfacing with Dennis, Larry, Norna and Florida people on optical layout issues.

The Solidworks User Group met on Monday and we are all working to different vrsions and types of licenses. We've recommended 2003 Research. We'll meet again in a short time.

The three notebooks of mode cleaner drawings were dropped off with vendors for quotes. We should receive information in 3 weeks time.

Gin Gin:
Ed Chargois has gotten a packing crate ready for us to ship the ITM suspension to John Jacob. We're just waiting for the reworked controller to check out the damping then we'll box the whole thing up and send it. I've completed the top assy drawing for the ETM suspension and only have the magnet fixture drawing to finish and submit.

Earthquake Stops:
Helena has glued the guide rod and wire standoff on the optic. On Monday, Mike in CES scribed lines on the barrel of the optic, 90 deg apart, so we could orient the magnets and wire standoff. I'll glue the magnets this evening or tomorrow morning.

40m:
Today, Bob Taylor is going to clean and bake the last earthquake stop screws that are needed. I reviewed the suspensions and they look ready to go but for these screws.

 From: ctorrie ctorrie@ligo.caltech.edu

Recycling Mirror:

The cantilever blades have been designed for the Recycling Mirror suspension and are ready to go out for requests for quotes.
The majority of the work on the RM suspension will be put on hold so we can concentrate on the prototype quadruple suspension assembly.

Mode Cleaner:
Aluminium heads with an anodized layer for the hybrid coils, to replace the stainless steel heads are under production in Glasgow. The first step will be to get 3 or 4 made and cycled through the machining and anodizing steps before a batch of ~32 are made. The 32 will be used on the RM, MC and a vacuum test for the anodized layer. At the same time Glasgow are looking at PEEK 1000 as an alternative material for the head.

Helena and I have been working on various upgrades to the Mode Cleaner suspension including increased adjustment for the hybrid coil assembly, back up isolation for the coil head using KAPTON, Macor and Teflon, stops for the lower blades and an alignment mechanism for the dummy aluminium intermediate mass.

Quad Suspensions:
When Norna Robertson returns we hop to move forward with the design of a quadruple pendulum suspension, with stages of 22-22-40-40 kg.  Mike PL and I have started to look at the assembly of the upper mass.

SOLIDWORKS:
See report by Janeen Romie.

Visit:
Caroline Cantley from the U. of Glasgow will visit Caltech next week, from the 7th to the 16th of April,  to work on and discuss various aspects of the prototype suspensions currently being built and designed here at MIT

Pre-stabilized Laser

From: Peter King <pking@ligo.caltech.edu>

A memorandum about the recent PSL technology downselect was circulated by Benno Willke for preliminary comments. 

Input Optics

No report.

Core Optics

From: Phil Willems <willems@ligo.caltech.edu>
 
Substrate Q:

Having completed our series of Q measurements on the two large sapphires, one has been shipped to Lyon for optical testing, while the other is staying in our lab to allow for mode identification, which we plan to do using a Chladni experiment.

Meanwhile, we have made a first attempt at measuring the Q's of a spare LIGO I input test mass, ITM11.  This mass is polished, but is not coated and has no wedge.  Most of 26 modes we measured have Q's in the uninteresting 10-30 million range; however, the lowest-frequency mode we found (actually, a doublet with 10mHz splitting) has a Q of 53 million.  While this result is not so spectacular compared to other results in fused silica lately, this is pretty high for a LIGO optic, one that has been mechanically polished, but not annealed or flame polished.

Auxiliary Optics

From: Michael Smith <smith@ligo.caltech.edu>

The polished, absorbing baffles that are being developed for the errant beams are a prototype baffle for Advanced LIGO.

Interferometer Sensing and Controls

No report

Data Acquisition, Diagnostics, Network & Supervisory Control

No report

Other Laboratory R&D

From: Riccardo DeSalvo <desalvo@ligo.caltech.edu>

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