The LIGO Executive Committee Agenda for Monday, August 27, 2007 will be:
(Meeting time: 10:30 am Pacific Time)
1. Announcements
2. Programmatic (Marx)
- Report on Total Business Systems Review held last week at Caltech.
- Plans for H2 operation during Astrowatch.
- Discussion on the end of S5 and post-S5 planning.
3. Comments on Weekly Report
4. LSC Issues (Reitze)
5. LIGO Lab Operations
- Administration (Lindquist)
- Sites (Raab, Giaime, Shoemaker)
- Commissioning (Fritschel)
- Optical and Mechanical (Coyne)
- Control and Data Systems (Bork)
- 40m (Weinstein)
- TNI (Libbrecht)
- LASTI (Mittleman)
- Lab computing (
Anderson
)
- Data Analysis Group (Weinstein)
- Instrument Science (Gustafson)
6. Enhancements (Zucker)
7. Advanced LIGO (Shoemaker)
8. Change Control Board/Technical Review Board Session as needed
Site and other Business Issues:
None announced
Special Items:
Special Announcements:
Weekly Report Highlights --
From LHO:
Dealt with natural events such as earthquakes and a fire.
From LASTI:
The quadruple suspension was married to the BSC isolation system this week!
LSC Issues (Reitze)
- The LSC held its annual MOU panel review at MIT last week on Aug 16,17. Panelists included Eric Gustafson, Erik Katsavounidis, Mike Landry, Albert Lazzarini, Szabi Marka, Guido Mueller, Fred Raab, Norna Robertson, Peter Shawhan, David Shoemaker, Alan Weinstein, Benno Willke, and Dave Reitze. In addition, Dot Lloyd and Marie Woods provided valuable organizational support. Feedback from the panel is now being circulated to LSC group PIs.
- At the Executive Committee meeting on Aug 24, two LSC observational papers were approved for submission subject to minor changes:
- the S3 joint LIGO-Auriga burst search: "A Joint Search for Gravitational Wave Bursts with AURIGA and LIGO"
- the S4 CW PowerFlux/Hough/Stackslide all-sky search: "All-sky search for periodic gravitational waves in LIGO S4 data"
LIGO Laboratory Administration (Lindquist)
STATUS OF LSC MOUs (Lloyd)
The MOU Review Panel met August 16 and 17, 2007 at MIT. Below is a list of the MOUs reviewed by the panel:
| MOU |
Attachment |
| ACIGA |
ACF, DAT, LAS, OPS, OPT, SUS |
| Andrews University |
DAT, OPS, Z |
| Balearic Islands |
DAT, Z |
| Caltech Exper. Grav.-Physics |
SUS, Z |
| Caltech Relativity Group |
ACF, DAT, OPT, OUT, Z |
| Carleton College |
DAT, OPS, Z |
| Columbia University |
DAT, OPS, OUT, Z |
| Embry-Riddle |
DAT, OPT, SUS, Z |
| Eotvos |
None |
| Florida, University of |
ACF, DAT, LAS, OPS, OPT, OUT, SUS, Z |
| GEO600 |
ACF, DAT, LAS, OPS, OPT, OUT, SUS, Z |
| Goddard |
DAT, OPS, Z |
| IUCAA |
DAT, Z |
| Hobart & Smith College |
OPS, OPT, OUT, SUS, Z |
| Institute of Applied Physics |
OPT, Z |
| Louisiana State University |
DAT, LAS, OPS, SUS, Z |
| Louisiana Tech University |
DAT, OPS, OUT, Z |
| Loyola University |
DAT, Z |
| Maryland, University of |
ACF, DAT, OPS, Z |
| Mass-Amherst, University of |
DAT, OPS, Z |
| Michigan, University of |
ACF, DAT, OPS, OUT, Z |
| Minnesota, University of |
DAT, OPS, SUS, Z |
| Montana, University of |
DAT, Z |
| Moscow State University |
SUS, Z |
| NAOJ-TAMA |
ACF, Z |
| Northwestern University |
DAT, OPS, Z |
| Oregon , University of |
DAT, OPS, OUT, Z |
| Pennsylvania State University |
DAT, OPS, OUT, Z |
| Rochester Institute of Technology |
DAT, OUT, Z |
| Rochester , University of |
DAT, Z |
| San Jose State University |
ACF, OUT, Z |
| Sannio University |
DAT, OPS, SUS, Z |
| Southeastern Louisiana University |
ACF, OPS, Z |
| Southern University |
None |
| Stanford University |
ACF, DAT, LAS, OPS, OPT, OUT, SUS, Z |
| Syracuse University |
ACF, DAT, LAS, OPS, OPT, OUT, SUS, Z |
| Texas-Austin, University of |
DAT, OPS, Z |
| Texas-Brownsville, University of |
DAT, OPS, Z |
| Trinity University |
OPT, OUT, Z |
| Washington State University |
DAT, OPS, Z |
| Washington, University of |
OPS, Z |
| Wisconsin, University of |
DAT, OPS, Z |
MOUs approved to date and signed off by the LSC Spokesperson (Dave Reitze) and the LIGO Laboratory Director (Jay Marx) are:
Balearic, CaRT, Columbia, Michigan, NAOJ-TAMA, PennState, San Jose, Syracuse, Trinity and Wisconsin (please see above table for their attachments).
These MOUs will be posted and submitted to the DCC.
DOCUMENT CONTROL CENTER (Turner, Mak)
>From: Cleveland Mak mak_c@ligo.caltech.edu
August 16:
- Handled some small details in regards to the shipment of the oven from Italy to LLO and a glass mass from the UK to MIT.
- Packaged and sent 9 RFP's for the "Optical Polishing for LIGO Substrates"
- Tracked down a handful of documentation and cleaned out the conference room in preparation for the TBSR meeting taking place next week.
- Shipped out 3 servers for D. Brown.
- Continuing to process the slew of documents that continue to come in on a steady basis.
August 23:
- Shipped 3 packages for H. Armandula to MIT which included the LASTI test mass. Due to the heavy weight and value of this piece of equipment, special shipping arrangements needed to be made as well as submitting information for insurance purposes.
- Dealt with a lot of correspondence and all the paperwork involved in the Glass Mass coming from the UK to MIT. Special forms needed to be completed for it be declared as duty free and to be cleared from customs.
- Tracked down more documentation for the TBSR committee as requested.
- Processed a batch of Amaldi talks that continue to trickle in.
FINANCIAL SYSTEMS (Funaro, Brambila, Kaufman)
>From: "Funaro, Catherine" <Catherine.Funaro@caltech.edu>
>From: "Brambila, Ruth" <Ruth.Brambila@caltech.edu>
- Assisted with the TBSR list for large orders.
- Working on pulling the orders requested for the TBSR.
- Routed the signed Triad mod for corresponding signature.
- Provided assistance on inquiries related to encumbrance removals.
- Placed the order for the replacement lasers. The PO needs to be modified to reflect the updated part no.
>From: Florence Kaufman <fkaufman>
- Sent out various monthly reports.
- Worked on issues relating to the I2U2 Award.
- Responded to a request from Project Accounting for funding realignments within the PHY-0107417 Cooperative Agreement.
- August 23 - Responded to information requests for the TBSR.
- Sent an inquiry to Project Accounting to determine why the Indirect Cost computation for a particular project appears to be incorrect.
- Met with Mary Kurtz who will be working on AdLIGO report presentation to familiarize her with the ORACLE Discoverer reporting system.
- Financial reports can be found at: http://docuserv.ligo.caltech.edu/~fireport. (For passwords contact Florence)
SUBCONTRACTS MANAGEMENT (Jasnow, Salone)
>From: Gina Salone <gsalone@ligo.caltech.edu>
- The decision has been made to close the design contract with HPD for the HAM seismic isolation system, effective July 31. Costs incurred after that date will be folded into the final contract for test and assembly.
- August 23 - supported the NSF TBSR all week, providing contractual and procurement documentation as required.
>From: Ed Jasnow <jasnow@ligo.caltech.edu>
- The statement of work for the final contract with HPD for the HAM seismic isolation system is now being worked on by staff from Caltech, MIT, and Stanford. This contract will not be issued until the current contract is at the 80% completion point. Additionally, some of the assembly effort will be folded into the current contract. The statement of work is expected to be completed by the end of the week.
- Materials sent to Kristin Spencer, the NSF Grants & Agreements Officer, in preparation for TBSR.
- August 23 - supported the NSF TBSR all week, providing contractual and procurement documentation as required.
PROPOSALS and REPORTS (Lindquist)
Still trying to sew up the proposal for continuing operations (FY 2009 – FY 2013). We are very close to a final draft to be sent to PMA and to the Caltech Office of Sponsored research for their initial review. Dave Beckett is assembling this final pass.
Have prepared a draft Annual report for current Operations. Will provide a pointer for review.
The LIGO Visitors program is officially over as of July 31, 2007 (subsequent visitors are covered by Operations accounts), and a Final Report must be prepared for that Grant. Stan Whitcomb is looking at that one.
The NSF Total Business Systems Review (TBSR) scheduled August 20-24 is underway. Spent much of the week supporting requests.
August 13 - we submitted the monthly report to the NSF for the month of July 2007. Thanks for the contributions.
We must next begin iterating the budgets for Operations in FY 2008.
The NSF is adding to our load with a request for a Budget Form 1030 for FY 2008 by September 30, but relative to all the other stuff, I think we can handle this one!
CHANGE CONTROL/CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT (Lindquist)
- There are no open change requests.
HUMAN RESOURCES (Akutagawa)
>From: Cindy Akutagawa <cindy@ligo.caltech.edu>
- The Staffing Committee meeting was on Thursday, August 23.
- The yearly Post Doc Ads have been submitted and will start appearing in various October magazines and web boards.
- The REU/SURF students have started to leave and I have been processing their departing paperwork.
Quality/Safety (Tyler)
>From: Bill Tyler tyler@ligo.caltech.edu
Note: The LIGO Steering Committee meetings will now be on Friday, starting at 1030, in the ECR, room 39 Bridge Annex. The next Committee meeting will be Friday, 24 August.
August 23 - the "final draft" of LIGO safety plan was distributed (limited distribution) before acceptance and release. The revised LIGO laser safety plan is almost ready for Directorate review.
Preps for LHO safety audit scheduled for 27,28 and 29th of August.
LIGO
Hanford
Observatory (LHO) and Interferometer Operations (Raab)
Summary of S5 Activities at LIGO Hanford Observatory (compiled by Kawabe/Landry)
We've had plenty of natural events such as earthquakes and fires. The duty cycle of H1 and H2 (from Thu. 9/Aug/2007 to Wed. 15/Aug/2007) were 86 and 85 percent, typically with 15.5 to 16 Mpc and 6.5 Mpc binary range, respectively. In the last week, duty cycles were 90% on both H1 and H2, with typical ranges of 16 and 7Mpc, respectively.
Summaries as of Aug 16: Range and Duty Cycle update. Tuesday maintenance summary.
Summaries as of Aug 23: Range and Duty Cycle update. Tuesday maintenance summary.
Highlights from the LHO elog for the past two weeks:
- Earthquakes of the previous week: 4.4 Oregon, 5.3 Hawaii, 5.7 Macquarie Island, 6.4 Alaska, 7.9 Peru, 6.7 Solomon Islands.
- Last week, there was a fire across 240 from EY station (pictures in the link). During the activities of fire department vehicles, both IFOs performed poorly. Fortunately the fire didn't cross the road and LHO is OK.
- A second, larger Hanford fire burnt on the far side of the 240 Highway opposite the Y-end station. Slight smoke was evident in outbuildings, the LVEA and OSB, but the fire was contained and the lab was never closely threatened. The East half of Rattlesnake mountain however is entirely blackened. OSB and LSB HVAC systems were shut down, as was LDAS. The latter meant that astrophysical FOMs had to catch up with processing the data.
- For the past several weeks H2 has been running with only three diodes due to acoustic coupling on ISCT10, causing the binary range to drop from 7 to 6.5 Mpc level. Also for months the pneumatic controller of ISCT10 legs seemed to have some problem, causing griefs of many good Scimons (although this pneumatic problem didn't have any visible impact on the IFOs). Robert Schofield finally swapped the controller and did full table alignment on ISCT10. The acoustic coupling got back to normal (i.e. excellent) and the peak binary range got back to 7Mpc.
- Frame builder fb1 crashed several times during this week. A disk-error in the meta-raid system was discovered, so the framebroadcaster was temporarily moved from fb1 to fb0
- Double dump-trucks were observed (and photographed) on route 10 passing the lab, inducing coincident glitch events in H1 and H2. One idea is ask that they be rerouted to Stevens.
- the 2K vent plan for eLIGO includes investigations of scatter just upstream of ISCT10, e.g. in the telescope and Faraday isolator. A viewport in a neighbouring BSC was used to image the output telescope nearly end-on. The image shows several potentially problematic bright spots.
Outreach (Dale Ingram):
- LIGO and the Tri-City Astronomy Club hosted a viewing of the Perseid Meteor Shower at LHO on the evening of 8/11. Meteor frequency was modest but the brightness of those that appeared was excellent. TCAC telescopes provided views of non-meteor sky objects. Roughly 450 community members took advantage of the clear skies and attended the event. Thanks go to Richard McCarthy, Greg Mendell, Bartie Rivera and Terry Santini for behind-the-scenes suppor
LIGO
Livingston
Observatory (LLO) and Interferometer Operations (Giaime)
S5 run summary (Valera Frolov):
- The S5 data taking duty cycle for this week is 73.4%. It was found that the excess DARM and PRC noise can be eliminated by adjusting the offset in the frequency stabilization loop. After optimizing the offset the bns range returned to ~15 Mpc during the night and ~14 Mpc during the day. The origin and coupling of the noise is still under investigation. The interferometer has been running stably in the new configuration. During the weekend the coupling of the PRC signal to DARM has changed by an order magnitude several times but eventually returned to nominal without any intervention. The only correlation was found so far is with the DC motion of the ETMY as seen by the optical levers. The ETMY motion started after a larger earthquake on Thursday and went away on Monday.
[JG: congratulations on finding a link to the noise source and getting our range back up!]
CDS computing (Lisa Bogue):
- Installed a solaris 10 jumpstart server using flash archives.
- Setup a t1000 to start getting a handle on the new hardware.
- Continued work on the CDS cyber security plan and review.
- Updating the power outage recovery document(s).
LLO Outreach (Deborah Muhammad):
- Prepared docent training documents for four exhibits (Vibrating String, Standing Wave, Giant Slinky, and Wave Machine).
- Devised a "Docent Training Log" to keep track of training documents, student visits and contact data).
- Assisted with tour for Livingston Parish Tourism director and guests.
- Conducted Docent Training with 9 SUBR students.
- Exhibit maintenance: (Soap Film Painting and Vibrating String).
LIGO computing and network security (Roddy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Reported under General Computing, see below
General computing and LDAS admin (Giardina)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Reported under General Computing, see below
Reported under LDAS System Administration, see below
Data analysis & computing (Yakushin)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Storage/Condor/LDAS admin:
Reported under LDAS System Administration, see below
Data analysis:
Reported under Data Analysis activities, see below
Mechanical and Optical Systems (Coyne)
See Advanced LIGO
Controls and Data Systems (Bork)
See Advanced LIGO
40-Meter Interferometer (Weinstein)
- The 40m SURF students all gave great talks last week, and Keenan, Alice and Darcy have moved on. Sonia, Josh and Edward are around for another week or two. We'll post the talks and final papers from everyone, soon.
- Sonia has measured and updated the input matrices for the OSEM sensors on most of the suspended optics controllers.
- Sonia has completed her optimization of the OSEM damping gain of the three MC optics, by minimizing the rms signal from MC_L in the 1Hz (pendulum) and 3Hz (stack) frequency ranges. She's making final measurements and tests, and writing up her work.
- Rana and Keita, debugging the DRMI lock instability, traced it to glitching in the BS UL OSEM, and determined that there is scattered YAG light on the osem. They are searching for the source of this scattered light.
- Tobin and Rana looked at the double-demod RFPD signals and found large offsets, presumably due to RFAM from the PSL.
- Keita and Rana have been working on finding and reducing this RFAM. In the process, they realizned and reoptimized the PMC, but it didn't help with the RFAM. They are now looking more closely at the Mach Zehnder, the possibility that the beam is not centered on the photodiodes, and the alignment into the mode cleaner.
- Rana execized the DRMI locking procedure; it still works, but there is lots of noise at the pendulum resonances, so we need to use Sonia's damping gain optimization on the BS/PRM/SRM.
- Tobin and Josh locked the XARM, YARM, PRM and then PRFPMI, centering all the relevant oplev beams onto their QPDs. They checked for and found no clipping of the oplev beams.
- Rob and Josh added some new fast OMC DAQ channels to monitor the OMC PZT. Rana added some 256 Hz SUS channels. Rolf is putting together a GUI for managing the DAQ channel configurations.
- Keenan moved the accelerometers to the BS support structure to see if they can be used for seismic noise cancellation. He and Elena took spectra and coherences.
- Rana is working on the ISS to upgrade its DAQ outputs.
- Rana used the 'SLOWscan' script to check the NPRO for multimode behavior. He left the SLOWDC slider in a nice place, far from "mode-hopping land".
- Tobin continues the debugging of the auto-dither-alignment system for the main interferometer (c1ass). He did two low-frequency swept-sine measurements to look at the transfer function between excitation of ITMX and ETMX and the c1ass error signals.
- Andrey Rodionov is a Caltech grad student getting his feet wet at the 40m. He has installed a new microphone to measure acoustic vibrations near the AS sensing table, and configured the ADC to get a good signal into the DAQ system.
- Steve notes that the Dycor RGA on the main 40m vacuum is rapidly dying. He is researching the purchase of a new one.
- The pressure transducer on the vacuum valve N2 line doesn't work, so when the N2 ran out it didn't trigger the software interlock which should turn off the main valve (V1). Steve is working on replacing it. We're also checking the correct behavior of the software interlocks under various pressure or failure conditions.
- Bob is back from LLO, having delivered and installed one of his bake ovens there.
- Stefan and Seiji are writing up their studies of various AdvLIGO and 40m configurations using Optickle. Seiji has returned to Japan.
Thermal Noise Interferometer (Black)
Two weeks ending August 23:
- Last week we disassembled the TNI, removed it from the clean room and vacuum chamber, and stored it in the designated staging area. All subtasks went without incident and according to schedule.
- This week we plan, with the help of Caltech's physical plant, to move the clean room, vacuum chamber, and optical table to their new locations.
- Last week we disassembled the TNI, removing all the optics, both suspended and fixed, and all the other components, electronics, lasers, cameras, photodetectors, Faraday isolators, etc. Monday of this week, we disassembled the optical table and stack inside the vacuum chamber, moved the chamber to our new location, and reassembled the stack, optical table, and mirror suspensions inside it. Tuesday and Wednesday, with the help of Caltech's transportation and carpentry shop services, we disassembled the clean room, moved the outside optical table and all our furniture, and reassembled the optical table, clean room, and most of the furniture in their new locations.
- The old area is now clear of all our stuff and ready for the MOSFIRE people to move in.
LASTI (Mittleman)
Quad Noise Prototype
- The initial assembly has been completed and the pendulum has been connected to the ISI optics table. Installation of the OSEMS, releasing the masses and trimming and alignment will wait until next month. The blades have all been heat treaded under load and all of the masses are hung in the quad structure on stops. There is an ilog entry on the Lasti log that ended up on the wrong date it can be found on 8/6/07.
BSC ISI
- After some struggle with the blade loading tooling (once again) we are moving forward again. All of the stage 1-2 blades have been loads; we are in the process of loading the stage 0-1 blades now. The trim mass necessary to bring us to our final load is ready to be installed and we should be floating the system next week.
Infrastructure
- Bob has modified our precision clean room to accommodate the needs of the ear bonding onto the optics. We are expecting a large group here next week to do the bonding.
CIT Science Group (Weinstein)
____________________
Kent Blackburn for the LIGO GRID RESEARCH TEAM
GRID APPLICATION DEVELOPEMENT:
- Wrote agenda for weekly LIGO-Pegasus telecon.
- Attend weekly LIGO-Pegasus, DASWG and OSG-USERS telecon.
- Run 2 in attempt to reach September milestone:
- Max running jobs: 563, max idling jobs: 1063
- Run 48 WF on 17 sites
- Troubleshooting stdout race condition:
- Test 3: with Condor_G patch, without Globus patch, success
- Test 4: with Condor_G patch, with Globus patch, success
- Resolve: Condor_G and Globus patch will be implemented
- Troubleshooting gap in data problem:
- Run dag on ldas-grid: no gap in data
- Run Pegasus WF on ldas-grid: gap in Data at lalpps_tmpltbank job
- Ran tmpltbank job seperately: no gap in data.
- Trouble shooting gridftp error at PSU and UWMilwaukee: load too heavy on server?
- Bash shell scripting to automate WF submission and monitoring.
- Run 3 in attempt to reach September milestone:
- Max running jobs: 807, max idling jobs: 1889.
- Run 84 WF on 21 sites.
OPEN SCIENCE GRID INTEGRATION AND VALIDATION TESTBED
- Attended PEGASUS telecon, OSG ITB, OSG VTB telecon.
- Modified script for Britta to count maxium jobs at # of hours.
- Circulate and follow emails regarding how to install dcache on small sites.
- Follow dcache document to install a second pool node on node1 (osg-vtb)
- Debugged dcache pool node fail on node1, write extra comments and experiences about dcache installation document missing steps.
- Resolved vdt and dcache services conflicts on osg-vtb gatekeeper node by running them on different port.
- dCache has been installed successfully on osg-vtb.ligo.caltech.edu two node cluster with two pool setup (one on gatekeepter, one on private network worker node1).
- Emailed back and forth between condor team to setup the correct condor 6.8.3 debug environment, the right patch has been in the proper place.
- Read "dcache, the Book", chapter 4 to 6.
- Answer email about the dcache installation comments.
- Figure out "dcache gsiftp" can run on different port by edit "vi /opt/d-cache/config/gridftpdoorSetup" and have it set to, for example "gsiFtpPortNumber=2911" to resolve conflict with vdt gsiftp on port 2811.
- Explore how to export "/pnfs" directory to worker nodes by modified settings inside "/pnfs/fs/admin/etc/exports/" on dcache admin node.
- Eventually googled the dcache scripts "grid-mapfile2dcache-kpwd", proceed to create "/opt/d-cache/etc/dcache.kpwd".
- Validated the file transfer by using dcache client on seperate machine(osg-itb-se), it seems SRM interface had a bug on negotiation.
- Evaluated dcache gsiftp, discover that file->gsiftp interface tranfer is working, but gsiftp to gsiftp->gsiftp interface transfer fail, for example:
- debug dcache gsiftp using ethereal, have some hints why dcache gsiftp gsiftp->gsiftp fail
- Validate that if replace "dcache gsiftp" with "vdt globus gsiftp", both file->gsiftp and gsiftp->gsiftp successful.
- Discover that dcache "pnfs" "perfect normal file system" is very slow on stage in a file even on a local network, for example, a 5.4MB file transfer from local network takes 1m55.133s. But if stage into a normal disk on the same server, it takes 0m1.564s. Almost 80 times difference.
- Install ITB:ce OSG 0.7.0 version on osg-vtb server.
OPEN SCIENCE GRID MANAGEMENT
- Reviewed latest versions of Year 2 Work Breakdown Structure to be presented to the OSG Council later this week.
- Reviewed and commented on new year 2 Statement of Work Templates and a draft of first year 2 SOW being circulated to Resource Managers.
- Reviewing OSG "Barring Policy" and "Approval of Certificates Authority Policy".
- Worked with OSG Project Assistant on presentation materials for the OSG Council Meeting later this week.
- Discussed LIGO's year 2 science goals with OSG director. Plan to continue discussion with LIGO's OSG Council person at meeting.
____________________
Kari Hodge:
- I have been collaborating with Anand on neural networks.
- I ran my neural network with the same inputs as Anand used in his; as a result, my neural network is even more effective in separating signal from background than before. I attribute the success to the inclusion of the ethinca parameter.
- Posted results of using new inputs in my S5 Playground neural net here: http://www.lsc-group.phys.uwm.edu/ligovirgo/cbcnote/JointS5/070820144215Follow UpsMore_Neural_Network_Results
- The new inputs improved it a bit, but are not as encouraging as the results of my running Eirini's S5 data through the neural net.
____________________
Anand Sengupta:
- Started writing the e-thinca and trigScan papers and plots to go into them.
- Debugging the Matlab script to plot the p=10 runs for the high mass cbc search.
- Working on the neural network classifier.
____________________
Gregory Mendell:
- I am continuing to work with Berit Behnke, visiting LHO from AEI, on CW work. I will be publishing SFTs generated from C03 h(t) data soon, for transfer from CIT for use by the CW group.
Laboratory Computing (Anderson)
LDAS Software Systems (Lei)
- (ML) cntlmonAPI - working on handling mpi is an optional API in some code that still assumes mpi is always active.
- (ML) Testing:
- performed ldas system testing 1.9.18
- converting metadata tests scripts to tcltest format - descMetaData and database exception are done as new scripts. Working on putStandAlone exception test
- (ML) cmonClient - working on PR 3190 - interface to support cleanup of ldas jobs and logs.
- (ML) cntlmonAPI - cvs changes for PR 3192. Added PR 3196 for invalid cgi user password when adding or extending an account. cvs changes for PR 3186 - initialize var dso when counting rejected jobs in case there are sites without dso info.
- (ML) genericAPI - fixed PR 3194 log.tcl log::updateArchive for each API to stamp api,host and pid in lockfile for updating lock archive. If an API finds this lockfile and the pid is no longer valid or if lockfile has invalid data or empty, the API will remove this lockfile and rewrite its own data to it when updating the archiveIndex. The API removes the lockfile when it is done updating the archiveIndex.
- (ML) Testing:
- added PR: 3197 place database test xml and ilwd files into ldas release with separate directory
- added PR: 3200 database exception and putStandAlone runs only on metaserver
- added PR: 3198 synchronise updating of diskcache.log from threads reporting of success/failure to acquire - updated critical list with new PRs from 3195-3200.
- tested PT 3194 with manually created lock file for archiveIndex; validate that these are removed by an API.
LDAS System Administration (Anderson)
Caltech
(Dan Kozak)
- Believe I have figured out the cause of the gap in regenerated h(t) data in /archive (CIT): an incomplete list of what files were created. Am rsyncing all remaining h(t) data back from the cluster to /archive and working to figure out what data is now missing and will need to be recreated.
- Activated strain-L1 archive sets at both LHO and LLO.
- Followed up gaps in raw data due to problems reading tape at CIT and rearchived the data at the sites.
- Added tapes to the silo at CIT.
- Dealt with several cases of excessive L0 use at CIT.
- Fixed stuck files transferring to Virgo and got in touch with them about data not coming from them to us (for about a week now).
- Had Marty from Sun come out to deal with a stuck tape in 0,0,10,19. He removed the tape, checked out the drive and upgraded its firmware.
- Recabled and reconfigured 6140s and started building new RAID sets on them.
- Worked on sorting the h(t) mess (with limited success so far).
- Relabled some old tapes and added some new tapes to the silo at CIT.
- Worked on the 6140s: upgraded to latest firmware, volumes built, partitions created. Just short of building a filesystem
- Worked with Mary Gray to get the Virgo data flowing to CIT and vice versa.
- Checked into some problems AEI was having getting stuff from CIT via LDR.
- Helped Gregory McIvor with his L0 access patterns.
(Phil Ehrens)
- Supported user interaction with MOU review website and directory services.
- Ongoing bugfixes to MOU review website as issues arise.
- Discussed LDAS test automation with Ed Maros.
- Supported Dot Lloyd with the MOU review process.
- Discussed LDAS testing with Mary Lei and Ed Maros.
- Various DOE certificate related responsibilities.
- Refactored the grid-adduser script to make it more maintainable.
(Erik Espinoza)
- Contacted Condor group for migration guide for 6.8 to 6.9 branch.
- Shipped Duncan's test units to destination.
- Assisted Pinkesh with Monte.py jobs.
- Upgraded spam filters on filtering machines.
- Worked with Dan on Virgo transfer failures.
- Assisted new user with Condor code.
- Installed mtrace on ldas-grid, ldas-pcdev1 and ldas-pcdev2 @CIT
- Had telecon with ASA and Supermicro regarding fans
- Sent RMA to ASA
- 10 disks
- 10 fans
- 2 Kingston/Micron
- Disabled broken fans on 4 nodes, no spares currently available. Disabled Condor due to lack of cooling, left as NFS servers after rebuild of RAID:
- node193 has two fans disabled
- node256 has two fans disabled
- node267 has one fan disabled
- node329 has one fan disabled
MIT
(Fred Donovan)
- Inventoried disks on pcraids; added some accounts.
- Inc. running EAH on 1/2 even # nodes: now running on all odd + 1/2 even#, will increase again if temp ok.
- Osg-ligo not reporting; fixed condor (osg), working on condor-probe reporting.
Livingston
(Igor Yakushin)
- Updated dol and framecpp on linux machines.
- Removed cron entry for set ::DEVICE_IO_CONFIGURATION since the new LDAS version does not need it
(Dwayne Giardina)
- Tape eject for shipment to CIT.
- Replaced two bad memory cards in node2.
- Rebooted node207.
- Node128 was hung after boot awaiting F1 input from user. It is back online now.
- Tape storage eject.
Hanford
(Greg Mendell)
- I have checked into cvs updated scripts for LDG 4.5, with new certificate request/renewal/retrieval tools, and support for tclGlobus and Globus web services from VDT. I am starting to test this, and will have a prerelease for Linux ready by next week, with support for Mac and Solaris to follow.
- The generation, archiving and transfer of raw, trend, and RDS data at LHO, LLO, and CIT is now once again up-to-date, after LDAS was down at LHO Aug. 16-17 due to nearby brush fires. I have put together an alpha release of LDG 4.5 for testing.
(Ben Johnson)
- John Zweizig pointed me to his C++ segment utilies in the GDS code repository. This will help in the construction of the ChannelFind and (C++) dataFind services.
- Studying up on C++, for writing up the LDAS NDS server.
- Had further experience with PCA (Solaris 10 patcher) this Tuesday (helped Dave Barker patch several CDS machines). Sun's patch download site is so unreliable we definitely need to set up a PCA proxy server.
- Attempting to make the LHO Cluster more attractive to LSC users. First step is to get all h(t) data to LHO.
- Due to a nearby fire, LDAS was shut down. After powering up, the 3510 that holds /export and SAM/QFS metadata had single controller failure. The resulting Write-through cache mode caused framebuilder instability.
- 10 Nodes are still unresponsive to network communication after the power outage (could need fsck, Foundry commands, disk replacement, new power supplies, etc.). This will be repaired when time is available.
General Computing (Wallace)
Two weeks ending August 23:
MIT
(Fred)
- Laptop fan died - b/u data, order from ebay. Install FC7 to tintagel.
- Built rdiff-backup (linux, solaris) to replace rsync, tested ok. Build fc7 dell with squirrelmail/mmserver (as backup). Reallocating backup data on tintagle(full disks).
- Bought avocent KVM confer. room.
- Sorted out some dead sun monitors (for disposal).
- Misc. printing, xp issues.
- Continuing with rdiff-backup as rsync replacement.
- 2 Computer installs.
- Moving gc home directories to tubera.
- Laptop fan replaced.
- Some web work.
Livingston
(Dwayne)
- Restarted Comsol license serve.
- PC connected to BMI PQNode power monitor was unable to communicate with the PQNode. I asked on of the EE guys look into it; results as expected. It is dead. They are going to order a replacement.
- Patched 3 network ports in user offices. They were left out when we replaced a switch, and those offices were unoccupied at the time.
- Replaced WAP in office area.
- Replaced JetDirect card in a printer we have been having problems with.
- Assisted a user with some HTML.
- Installed Ubuntu 6.06 LTS server LAMP on an x2100.
- Requested and installed SSL certs from our local LIGO/LLO CA on the SEC webserver (with Shannon).
- PHP/MySQL development for SEC Outreach data.
- Other usual/unusual user support requests.
- Cleared spam trap.
- Patched a net connection in the staging building high bay for the computers/equipment associated with the new bake ovens.
- PHP/MySQL development for SEC Outreach data. Installed phpmyadmin, giving it a test run.
- Installed WebDAV, kicking the tires.
- Assisted a user with some Mac issues.
- Received a new PC for site safety and security applications, documents, etc. Ongoing installation of applications, printers, etc.
- Minor assist to Shannon replacing the core switch.
- Applied OS updates and rebooted kantech security server.
- Other usual/unusual user support requests.
- Cleared spam trap.
(Shannon)
- Set up new router and placed in service. At the same time fixed a routing problem between the old and new subnets and coordinated changes with LSU/Charter.
- Ongoing configuration on new router to enable new subnet usage, ssh access, traffic accounting, etc.
- Reading documents in preparation for multiple reviews.
- Reading more docs from auth committee, LLO shutdown procedure, etc.
Hanford
(Christine)
- Finished moving user directories to new disk system. Cleaning up some of the user accounts, moving this year's SURF accounts to the cumulative SURF directory, etc.
- Working with user to fix sporadic problems with her laptop.
- Getting KVM connectors and rack space ready for the Primavera server coming up from Caltech.
- Rack mounted and powered up the Primavera server from CIT. Mike P. will be here Mon. to get the software working.
- Tried a few suggested fixes for the Veritas backup software. It gets bus errors on startup and core dumps. Supposedly the startup order is important and the startup script that came with the software is incorrect.
- Un-mounted the old disk system. Cleaned up a few more SURF home accounts. Changed the share file on the server to not share the old disk system.
- Modified my rsync script to backup only the new disk system. Moved the final backups of the old disk system to storage.
- Started installing the OS on the computer that will be the local DNS server.
Caltech
(Mike)
- Continued work on Primavera/Prism server for LHO.
- Swapped out another projector in ECR.
- Ordering misc. equipment through Techmart.
- Added new user accounts.
- Freeing up disk space on ghost server to get ready for end of month backups.
- Other misc. user support and sysadmin tasks.
- Worked on set up and supporting TBSR meeting.
- Built a Solaris server to replace an Administrative server that is having some issues.
- Loaded an additional Sun box to replace a workstation.
- More work on getting a server setup too ship to LHO.
- Tried to recover data from a user laptop which had a bad hard disk. I reloaded this laptop with newly installed hard disk, plus loaded additional software packages besides our regular GC build. Christian is finishing up this build for me.
- Other user misc. support plus additional sysadmin tasks.
(Veronica)
- LIGO: Addressed an issue of a W3 standard compliance in some versions of IE. Various web updates and user support. PAC meetings webite; installed pages for the upcoming PAC23. Updates of the roster database. Web updates/user support.
- LSC: Updates of the database of technical papers. Updates of the LSC website. Database maintenance/updates (MOU, technical papers). Misc. web updates.
(Christian)
- Anand Sengupta- Configured MacBook laptop and installed the latest security patches.
- Ilaria taurasi Configured MacBook with dual OS (Tiger 10.4 and Windows XP) using bootcamp.
- Norna Robertson Updated Matlab license for Norna to use on travel.
- Toner cartridge replacements- Millikan, 2flr W/B and 40 Meter.
- Tested the latest Microsoft security patches.
- Re-imaged laptops that were returned to the loaner pull this week.
- Albert Lazzarini- Configured new MacBook laptop.
- Anand Sengupta-Configured MacBook laptop and installed the latest security patches.
- Phil Willems- Hard drive failure on laptop. Mike and I Rebuilt new hard-drive with our standard ligo image.
- Jay Heefner-Video and LCD failure on laptop. Configured loaner laptop and transferred all of Jay¹s files.
- Dorothy Lloyd- Created a backup of Dot¹s workstation.
- Dennis Coyne- Computer running slow. Removed adware-spyware files and manually updated security patches. Auto-updates are not working. I¹m looking into it.
- Other misc.: Continued onsite software/phone support.
(Bruce Sears)
- General iLog maintenance and issue handling.
(Larry)
- Worked a number of different procurement items. Ordered various items for different people. Working on getting in quotes for new workstations and a few low-end rack-mount stations to replace ones that are becoming obsolete.
- Started modifying accounts for the people that have started leaving. Along the same lines, there is paperwork that the users need to fill out when they have been given permission to borrow equipment after they are no longer employed by LIGO.
- Working on getting a new web server for Cindy. The one she is using is starting to have problems.
- Continued support for the TBSR. This should wrap up in the next week or so.
- Setup a few more accounts and modified a few others at the request of the users.
- Still working different issues out with PMA and the construction going on. Fortunately, most of the items I have to deal with are mostly wrapped up. The condensation problem in the computer room is still being worked on.
- Worked with the LSC group in getting a backup server setup for them to configure and use. Presently, they say it is working like it should.
- Still working on documentation in multiple areas.
- Worked a number of purchases. Acquired a couple of laptops and other items. All have been distributed. Purchasing new laptops for a couple of people. The units no longer function and are out of warranty. Working on quotes and configurations for new servers, desktops and edgeswitches that are to be purchased in the next couple of weeks.
- Support services for the TBSR. This includes: logistical support, web services, user support.
- Working with Mike on a web server replacement.
- Made a few modifications to the mail servers.
- Performed the exit work on a number of people that have left this past week. The accounts will be locked next month.
- Tracked down a number of equipment items for different people.
- Spent more time than usual assisting users with their different applications.
Advanced LIGO and Supporting R&D (Shoemaker)
Advanced LIGO Management
From: Carol Wilkinson <wilkinson@ligo-wa.caltech.edu>
Advanced LIGO Review Schedule
Output Mode Cleaner (OMC) Suspension Prototype #2 Fabrication Readiness Review
(EnL suspension structure and electronics )
Date and Time: TBD (by Sept. 7)
Documents posted at http://lhocds.ligo-wa.caltech.edu:8000/advligo/Documents_for_Ptype_#2%2BFab%2BReadiness%2BReview
Advanced LIGO Systems
Modeling and Simulation
From: Hiroaki Yamamoto hiro@ligo.caltech.edu
e2e weekly meeting (Richard, Mark, Osamu, Hiro and Sany)
- Discussed the problem that Richard had concerning running Mark Barton's mathematica codes. The problem was that for some reason the path setting in the mathematica code did not work under Richard's Windows machine. The problem has been solved most part, but we still need to confirm several things. See more details below.
Static IFO simulation (Hiro, Melody)
Using the Coupled Cavity simulation, the diffractive effect in the Stable Michelson cavity was studied. (G070607)
- Because of the oval shape of the beam resonating in the cavity due to BS, the diffraction effect is different in the horizontal and vertical direction. This makes the beam astigmatic, not only the beam shape, but also the beam curvature in the central region. The effective difference of the curvature can be as large as 10m on RM. The current tolerance advertised is +-1m with 74m average.
- The beam spreads more than a simple gaussian due to diffusion, the loss of the beam from MMT2 hitting on MMT3 is 0.13%, compared to ~80ppm loss for an idealistic gaussian beam.
- Melody is investigating the optimal use of the TBB, which can accelerate the code by factor of 10 by using multi core systems efficiently.
Modeler : e2e simulation engine and ALFI : e2e front end (Hiro, Bruce, Melody)
- e2e-4.0.0 was tested by a few test users. It was found that some of the old codes were not properly included. 4.0.1 is being prepared so that all physics are properly included.
- Documentations are being prepared by Bruce and Melody, expecting to have the first draft by the end of August.
Mechanical Simulation for advanced LIGO (Sany and SLU team)
(Richard)
Using Hiro's suggestion to set the switches paths by using the insert menu in mathematica I ran the notebook and everything went smoothly until the preliminaries section. When using the precomputed values mathematica could not find the precomputed folder that comes with the models downloaded from the website. The error given was something like: Cannot find precomputed in C:\Program Files\Wolfram Research\Mathematica\5.2\ - indicating it was looking in the base directory instead of the model folder specified in the switches section. In order to get the notebook to run I moved the precomputed directory to the folder mathematica was looking in (C:\Program Files\Wolfram Research\Mathematica\5.2), and it worked. Mark found that to be odd and suggested to look closely at the preliminaries section to find where exactly the problem was, believing it to be in the SetDirectory command. Basically the directory was not being set and mathematica was using the base program directory instead.
I do have an update though! I deleted the copy of the precomputed files from C:\Program Files\Wolfram Research\Mathematica\5.2 and any remaining copies of the custom packages. I then ran the notebook again using the precomputed values and this time the error did not occur. This time mathematica used the precomputed folder specified in the model directory switch and everything went smoothly.
This confuses me as I don't understand why the first time around it looked in the wrong folder but this time looked in the correct folder. Perhaps as was suggested by Osamu, the problem is with windows and the syntax of the system.
(Sany)
Mark Barton corrected the previous AdvLIGO MC Triple suspension model (Horizontal wedged version), and Richard created the corresponding state space matrix in the e2e format. The problem was that the moment of inertia was not properly computed and consequently the optic’s yaw dynamics was not correctly modeled. Compared the previous and corrected model by including them in our AdvLIGO MC e2e model and running the e2e code with realistic HAM table motion injected to the suspension point (in the position or normal to the optic’s surface direction only). With the corrected model, the optic’s position to yaw coupling was significantly reduced (at least factor of 5), as expected.
CDS Prestabilized Laser
From: Peter King <pking@ligo.caltech.edu>
- Work on incorporating comments from the review panel has been done for a preliminary design of the laser diode enclosure. Revisions are being made for the PSL hazard analysis and laser safety plan. We are also working on getting the optical fibre run lengths so that we can tell LZH. They in turn are going to work on some chiller requirements so that we can sort out which chiller to use. To that end I have been working on some heat load calculations based on the current EnL hardware configuration.
- I tried to get some damage threshold information for the shutter that LZH is contemplating using. So far the only information I've gotten is that the blade is a black anodised 0.050 in. thick Al plate.
Control and Data Systems
No report
Seismic Isolation
The quadruple suspension was married to the BSC isolation system this week!
From: Brian Lantz <BLantz@stanford.edu>
Notes from the SEI telecon, Friday, Aug 17
Announcements
HAM platform status
- Sensors and actuators: Andy - we will put on small terminal block of peek on each actuator. PSI will add tapped holes for the block. The terminal block is made by accuglass, Part Number: 111851, we will screw or solder the actuator wires on one side, and attach wires to the drive on the other. For the HAM, the wires to the outside will run from the terminal block directly to the vacuum flange, there will not be another connector. Ben will change schematic, and send rev to Ken.
- Drawing status: last CD from HPD has been mostly approved. Included spring pull-down assembly still need to review the actuator brackets. Need to mod the thermal bar to allow space for terminal block and access to screws in the terminal block. Ben to put block on the log. Andy to put holes in thermal bar for screwdriver.
- Test stand: parts due in on Sept 25.
- Assembly stand: Bosch tubing was made thicker at Charlie's request. Dennis to look around for tubing at Caltech
- Other mechanical parts: Risers out for quote; crossbeams out for quote on Southern, may just go out next week; feedthroughs should be ordered this week.
- Bolt breaking at MIT: Rich M out, no report. see elog
- Computer work at Stanford: Lauren out this week.
- STS-2 floor motion monitor for sensor correction for the LHO HAM. Brian L to contact Richard McCarthy
- Cleaning for HAMS: They will talk about cleaning on Monday 8/20
Progress on the BSC
- Electronics shake down in October
- Assembly status: Stephany reports that 1-2 springs loaded, lockers installed, screws in for 0-1 loader, will be tested next week. 0-1 springs in next week; quad goes on next week, Corey in to LASTI on Tuesday.
- Pods: LLO has 3 STS-2s back in pods, each has been tested in and out of pods. Two broken ones back from MIT off to Quanterra, one has a miswired motor. Joe Hanson will be going to Boulder. Grad Student, Jeff Kissel (student of Gaby), may be going as well. New oven for leak testing the pods is set up. Pods for HAM in on sept 20 GS13s arrive 2 weeks later.
Vertical seismometer
- Dan doing noise calcs for vertical seismometer.
HAM SPI
- John Ulmen has a new 1.5 micron fiber laser plan to make freq noise measurements with fiber arm IFO. Noise from fiber arm should be reduced with PM fiber or with "bragg rotation mirrors" (rotates polarization by 90 degrees, and reflects light back down the fiber).
- Brian and Dan DeBra going to the rotational seismometry workshop.
- Have been talking with Schreiber re tilt sensors.
- Riccardo also going to the rotational workshop.
- Brian to post some papers by Schreiber in the seismic log.
Suspensions
The quadruple suspension was married to the BSC isolation system this week!
From: Helena Armandula ahelena@ligo.caltech.edu
- Getting the final tooling manufactured and the lab supplies required to perform the silica bonding of the ears to the test masses during the week of August 27th.
- The LASTI test mass has been shipped to MIT after coating characterization at Caltech
From: Norna Robertson <nroberts@ligo.caltech.edu>
- Norna is working in UK for 3 weeks till 8th Sept.
- Visiting RAL for a couple of days. Discussed various issues relating to beamsplitter design with Ian Wilmut.. Working with Janeen, Betsy and Doug who are here for a week for hands-on experience of assembling a quad suspension.(all-metal version).
- Working on documentation and wiki site for the OMC Suspension 2nd prototype fab readiness review.
From: Janeen Romie <janeen@ligo-la.caltech.edu>
Advanced/Enhanced LIGO
- Recycling Mirror Suspension: Working with Greer, Bob, Norna and Calum on a regular basis on the recycling mirror design. Greer has spent a few days documenting the FEA work he's been doing the last few months. He's sent a draft to Calum and I for review. We've asked that it be broken up into two documents and added to. Bob is working with Calum on getting DCC numbers for all of his parts and changing the names in Solidworks Explorer. Work is progressing well.
Output Mode Cleaner
- Working on documentation to support the OMC SUS Prototype #2 fab readiness review. Working on a bench lifting fixture. Worked with Norna on the schedule, which she submitted to Dwight and Carol, which I discussed with them this morning.
Earthquake Stop
- Started procurement on parts. Dennis and folks on the vacuum review board are looking into o-ring material specifications. Joe is making some small drawing changes in preparation for RFQs. Joe L. was hoping to get a prototype made to the new 1/2-13 drawing.
Quad
- Betsy, Doug and I are at RAL this week, training to build and suspend a quadruple pendulum suspension.
- Norna has joined us from Glasgow yesterday and today.
- RAL's hospitality is greatly appreciated.
From: k mailand kmailand@ligo.caltech.edu
- I'm working on a suspended Black Glass Cavity beam dump proposal, for Mike, Phil Willems ok'd part of his lab area for the dampened 4 wire suspension test.
- The preliminary assembly of the installation arm tool is in progress, also work on a test setup has started.
Core Optic
From: Bill Kells kells@ligo.caltech.edu
These last two weeks I have been away (vacation time) about half.
Many ongoing topics have progressed:
- I have resolved, in discussions with G. Muller and others, what I gleaned in Sydney (from discussions there with J. Li, C. Zhao, and S. Gras) that the latest experimental Parametric instability results from Gin-Gin have nothing explicitly new to say about their impact on the operation of Advanced LIGO. That is, they have not, in fact, yet observed any instability, but only just excited HTMs in their cavity by forced acoustic excitation of one of its TMs.
- There has been a long standing question concerning a description of the surface (topography) map of a mirror, and its scatter. For instance what is the relation between the rms of the surface topography, and its 1D "sampled" topography, particularly when it can be said that the topography is isotropic (intuitively the case for high quality LIGO optics). I am closer to completing and summarizing an analysis of this.
- I have been contributing to the analysis and options discussions concerning the "holes" (now identified as bubbles.... due to my suggestion that these first be carefully examined microscopically) found in the LASTI prototype ETM.
- My Amaldi 7 talk summarized the initial results of analysis of photographic images of beam spots on LIGO TMs. At this stage progress is limited by the existent high quality images. I have been pursuing plans to obtain further images (post S5 at sites, and at the 40m).
From: GariLynn Billingsley <Billingsley_G@ligo.caltech.edu>
- The RFP for a third pathfinder polisher went out last week. We have a competitive quote for the glass to be used in the BS/FM ROC control work. aka BS Pathfinder.
- Another focus is the RFP for Advanced LIGO metrology. Our metrology consultant has sent a list of items that we should include, I am fleshing this out into an RFP format and adding context and requirements. At the request of one of the vendors, I am working on characterizing the environment in the lab, so that our vendors know what kind of isolation might be needed. Zygo has suggested a trip to CT to see a 1064 system that will be shipped in early September, I have elected to submit a series of test data sets that I would like to see instead, and leave the trip for later in the fall.
- As noted in a previous weekly report, we have holes in the LASTI TM HR coating. We characterized everything we could about them before we shipped the optic to MIT this week. I have sent a map of the holes to Rich and Ken. I am hoping that they will be able to find a usable area in the center of the optic. The re-coating alternative requires re-polishing.
- Vagesh is working on a drawing and spec package for the Advanced LIGO glass. His help is greatly appreciated.
Auxiliary Optics
Input Optics
From: David tanner@phys.ufl.edu
All:
- IO Preliminary Design Review, Tuesday, 21 August. See AdvLIGO WIKI.
Muzammil Arain:
- We have analyzed the thermal lensing data for complete FI in vacuum. There is astigmatism present due to bi-birefringence of DKDP. We are looking into orienting the DKDP differently or purchasing "z-cut" DKDP crystals.
- The TGG crystal for FI has been sent for re-polishing. This will restore two TGGs with good Ar coatings and the plans are to use these TGGs in e-LIGO. This will also provide an opportunity to test refurbished TGGs for Advanced LIGO.
- A new DKDP crystal vendor has been identified. For advanced LIGO research, "z-cut" DKDP will be used. These crystals do not show birefringence in the propagation direction. Three samples have been ordered and will be tested for thermal lensing compensation for the eLIGO FI.
Luke Williams:
- Designed and assembled thermally contacted DKDP holder
- Assembling thermally contacted TGG holders
- Investigated PDR issues including baffles, input periscope, and PSL layout space
- Revising eligo bake list
- Revising eligo bake list
- Drawing eligo FI parts
Rodica Martin:
- In air tests on SiC plates at 30W laser power and 0.5mm diameter for beam baffles. No damage observed, but we need to repeat the tests in vacuum.
- Measured the extinction ratio of recently bought CVI-TFPs for ELIGO. Extinction ratios of 4500 can be achieved with the detriment of loosing ~3% of the transmitted power.
- Tested the assembling of TGG and DKDP crystals in their thermally contacted holders for ELIGO.
- PDR issues on in-vacuum performance of the FI.
- Power budget and isolation measurements in the ELIGO Faraday isolator with 2 TFPs and DKDP inserted in-between the polarizers for thermal lens compensation. Analyzed the effect of small variations in the magnetic field, thickness and Verdet constant on the isolation ratio. The main conclusions are that the isolation is very sensitive to the positioning of the TGG crystals in the magnetic field, and that a z-cut DKDP crystal is required for optimum isolation and thermal lens correction.
- Updated technical document on Faraday isolator
Guido Mueller:
- MOU review in Boston.
- LLO shifts, working on the IFO.
For additional information about this report, contact Albert Lazzarini or Phil Lindquist