Weekly Report for Week Ending March 12, 2008

LSC	Administration	Hanford Observatory	Livingston Observatory
Optical & Mechanical	Controls and Data Systems	40 Meter Facility	TNI
LASTI	CIT Science Group	Laboratory Computing	Adv. LIGO Development

Past Weekly Reports

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LSC Issues (Reitze)

• Nothing significant to report - next week will be more interesting.

LIGO Laboratory Administration (Lindquist)

STATUS OF LSC MOUs (Lloyd)

MOU status remains as reported last reporting period (see below).

• The table below shows the MOUs and their attachments that have been approved and signed off to date by both the LSC Spokesperson and the LIGO Laboratory Director.

  MOU	Attachment
  ACIGA	ACF, DAT, LAS, OPS, OPT, OUT. SUS, Z
  Andrews University	DAT, OPS, Z
  Balearic Islands	DAT, Z
  Caltech Relativity Group	ACF, DAT, OPT, OUT, Z
  Carleton College	DAT, OPS, OUT, Z
  Columbia University	DAT, OPS, OUT, Z
  Embry-Riddle University	DAT, OPT, SUS, Z
  Eotvos University	DAT, OPS, OUT, Z
  Florida, University of	ACF, DAT, LAS, OPS, OPT, OUT, SUS, Z
  GEO600	ACF, DAT, LAS, OPS, OPT, OUT, SUS, Z
  Goddard	DAT, OPS, Z
  Hobart and William Smith Colleges	DAT, OPS, Z
  Institute of Applied Physics	OPT, OUT, Z
  IUCAA	DAT, Z
  Louisiana State University	DAT, LAS, OPS, SUS, Z
  Louisiana Tech University	DAT, OPS, OUT, Z
  Loyola University	DAT, OPS, Z
  Maryland, University of	ACF, DAT, OPS, Z
  Massachusetts at Amherst, University of	DAT, OPS, Z
  Michigan State University	ACF, DAT, OPS, OUT, Z
  Minnesota, University of	DAT, OPS, SUS, Z
  Montana State University	DAT, Z
  National Astronomical Observatory of Japan	ACF, Z
  Northwestern University	DAT, Z
  Oregon, University of	DAT, OPS, OUT, Z
  Pennsylvania State University	DAT, OPS, OUT, Z
  Rochester, University of	DAT, Z
  San Jose State University	ACF, OUT, Z
  Sannio-Benevento, University of	DAT, OPT, Z
  Southeastern Louisiana University	ACF, DAT, OPS, Z
  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, OUT, Z
  Trinity University	OPT, OUT, Z
  Washington State University	DAT, OPS, Z
  Wisconsin at Milwaukee, University of	DAT, OPS, Z

• GEO600, LSU, Massachusetts and Minnesota (shown in table above), where signed off and will be posted and submitted to DCC.
• CEGG and Moscow University were approved and are now being routed for signatures.
• The University of Mississippi has been submitted for review.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (Luna)

>From: Rod Luna <rluna@ligo.caltech.edu>

• Continued updating the Livingston Observatory Inventory database.
• Assisted G. Billingsley with shipping arrangements for two Fused Silica Blanks to L3 Communications / Tinsley in Richland CA.
• Assisted Corey Gray at Hanford with shipping arrangements for one crate from LHO to LLO.
• Attended the Export Compliance Workshop for Caltech staff.
• Assisted K. Mason at MIT with shipping arrangements for three crates from AstroPak in Downey, CA to LLO.
• Assisted G. Billingsley with shipping arrangements for an Aluminum Oxide piece from Japan to CIT.

DOCUMENT CONTROL CENTER (Turner, Mak)

>From: Cleveland Mak <mak_c@ligo.caltech.edu>

• Assisted with preparations for LSC-Virgo meeting next week.

FINANCIAL SYSTEMS (Funaro, Brambila, Oracion)

>From: "Funaro, Catherine" <Catherine.Funaro@caltech.edu>

• For ACCOUNTS PAYABLE HISTORY Press Here.

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

Modifications pending signatures:

• Benton
• Triad
• Corporate Mechanical
• Ezus Lyon
• Support Services
• Excel

Closeouts pending:

• Columbia Univ
• Shanghai
• Galli and Morelli
• Squid

Modification packages being re-worked:

• Univ of Florida
• MIT [this package is very late -- it provides MIT funding for the first half of FY 2008 –pel]

>From: Karl Oracion <koracion@ligo.caltech.edu>

• Completed FY2008 monthly operations report as of the end of Ferbuary 2008 and posted report on the network.
• Sent out reports for Visitor's program, Outreach program, U. of Wisconsin award, Low Noise account, I2U2 and three discretionary awards.
• Continued testing various Discoverer worksheets.
• Submitted two cost transfers to project accounting for approval and processing.
• Financial reports can be found at: http://docuserv.ligo.caltech.edu/~fireport. (For passwords contact Karl)

SUBCONTRACTS MANAGEMENT (Jasnow, Salone)

>From: Gina Salone <gsalone@ligo.caltech.edu>

• A contract is being prepared with Global Risk Consultants for the design of a fire suppression system for LDAS at Livingston.  This is in response to the findings of the Caltech audit team last year.  This contract will be for the firm fixed price.

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

• A meeting has been set with Purchasing Services on Friday, March 14, to discuss streamlining the procurement process to accelerate the review of large subcontracts, particularly with respect to Advanced LIGO.
• The final quotation for the video conferencing system has been received from Intercall.  This is for Polycom equipment at Caltech, MIT, LHO, and LLO. A presentation on this system has been scheduled for the Executive Committee meeting of March 31.

PROPOSALS and REPORTS (Lindquist)

• We have prepared a draft monthly report for the NSF and it will be sent this week.
• I have distributed sections of the financial report for the end of February to the various account managers in preparation for the financial review scheduled for during the executive committee meeting on March 24.  I will be talking to account managers over the next week to derive an estimate-at-completion.
• Before the end of the month I will be preparing an updated version of the budgets for LIGO Operations FY 2009-2013 to be distributed to account managers in preparation for a scrub to the NSF funding profile.

CHANGE CONTROL/CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT (Lindquist)

• There are no open change requests.  Dennis Coyne is preparing CR-080002, which will request additional Operating funds in FY 2008 for Advanced LIGO R&D.

HUMAN RESOURCES (Akutagawa)

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

• A Staffing Committee meeting was held on Monday, March 10th.  The minutes and action items from the meeting are in progress and when completed will be posted on the SC web page.

Quality/Safety (Tyler)

>From: Bill Tyler tyler@ligo.caltech.edu

• Nothing significant to report; continued safety support to various design review committees.

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

Summary of activities at LIGO Hanford Observatory (compiled by M. Landry)

• With the magnet swap newly approved, plans are being made to vent EX Mar 24th.
• HAM ISI stage 0 and 1 plates are through cleaning at Astropak and were scheduled Thursday 13th to ship to LLO for baking
• a split decision on 4k MC absorption: during the recent IO work, MCs 1 and 2 were drag wiped, while 3 was not. New absorption measurements found that, since the scrub, one mirror had worse absorption, one better, and one unchanged. Final values were 19, 25 and 51ppm, compared to earlier measurements of 20, 78 and 41ppm
• A new oscillator was swapped in, to correct for the modified 4k MC length. Additionally, the 4k MC pole frequency was remeasured
• Astrowatch studies continued apace, with investigations into power up and the benefits of altered TCS (not much), along with more evening data taking

Outreach (D. Ingram)

• LHO hosted LIGO Inside and Out on 3/8 for the general public. M. Landry hosted a showing of Death Star and updated guests on recent GRB observations. Also available were walking tours, exhibit play, solar astronomy with the Tri-City Astronomy Club and a GRB coloring contest. The main feature was a live video tour of the LVEA, conducted by Fred and moderated in the auditorium by Mike. LHO staffers C. Reed, A. Effler, R. McCarthy, T. Gunter, T. Santini and T. Brown, along with astrowatcher E. Goetz, interns G. Rodriguez and A. Trevino, LHO family members and Hanford High volunteers provided the manpower that fueled the event.

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

VE & Operations (Rusyl Wooley):

• This week I opened up the gate valves to expose the corner station to  the end stations.  We then began locking the interferometer.  We had some trouble with the recycling mirror and the ITM’s.  Replacing a couple of blown PA85’s and an adjustment of the 5VDC power supply fixed the problems.  Details are in the elog.
• Harry installed all the electrical feed-thrus on HAM6.  We will be laying out and begin installing the new valves and pumping equipment for HAM6 on Friday.
• We had an unsuccessful test of the fiber link for the OMC & ISI front ends.  New testing will be performed when Rolf comes out the week of the 24th.
• I met with Gary, Joe H & Danny this week in order to implement a new maintenance program for the HEPI equipment.  This program includes fluid sampling, filter replacement, visual inspection & other activities as spelled out in the pump maintenance manual.  In addition to that we are developing a method for tracking the work as well as a log sheet to monitor pump rotation.
• We have received the bids for the construction of the TCS chiller closets and the diode room.  A contract has been awarded and work will begin on Monday.  For various logistical reasons, we are building the chiller closets first.  We had a walk-through with the electrical contractor today.
• The erosion control work began this week.  We started behind the SEC and upon completion will move on to the X and Y arms.  We still have not resolved the issue of the power and fiber feeds the seismometer vault along the Y arm.  This work will require digging up both of these feeds and we are working on a solution for the re-installation.
• We presented our new process for tracking federal property to the staff.  This new program uses a database developed by Dwayne.  It is similar to the tracking system that we are using to track E-LIGO parts also developed by Dwayne.  We are working closely with Rod Luna on this project.  We will have a complete inventory of all federal property complete within the next three weeks.

eLIGO Detector Work (Valera Frolov):

[This was an amazing productive week!  It is inspiring to see a mode cleaner on top of a seismic platform inside HAM6, as well as arm locks using the old RF readout.   Congratulations to all involved!  - J. Giaime]

• The Output Mode Cleaner mirrors were cleaned with methanol. The cavity losses decreased from 15% to 5%. The 5% result is consistent with the initial loss measurement at Caltech. After the cleaning the OMC was baked at 50 C for one day to cure the small epoxy patch that was  applied after the OMC assembly.
• The OMC suspension cage with suspended and clamped OMC was installed into the HAM6. The steering/mode matching mirrors were also installed at the same time.
• The OMC SUS/OMC electronics were cabled and tested. The only problem was the pair of the QPDs that go on the HAM6 table behind the tip-tilt mirrors. The investigation is in progress.
• The reflected port was relayed out to accommodate the change in the input optics configuration.
• The MC mirror absorptions were remeasured using the drumhead mode frequency shifts as a function of the MC input power. The new set of measurements confirms the earlier measurement which showed the improvement in absorption from the drag wipe cleaning of the MC mirrors. The absorption improved from 40 ppm to 10 ppm per mirror (the quoted absorption number is model dependent).
• The interferometer vacuum sufficient to open the beam tubes. The full interferometer was locked on the RF path but not in the common mode yet. Most of the RF setting had to be adjusted due to the changes in the input optics configuration.

CDS Computing (Lisa Giaime):

• We had a strange testpoint problem this week.  The testpoint manager process would launch on awg but then quit with error "no testpoint server registered."  Somehow a very old testpoint.par file got installled on the system.  I suspect it was a weird but simple mistake that was made the last time the code was updated. Thanks to Dave and Alex for their help with this.
• When the DTT code suite was last updated, the makefile generated new launch scripts that lacked the customizations for the LLO environment. The latest gotcha on this was an apparent DMT failure.  When launching the client was unable to contact the DMT nameserver.  I fixed the script and did a full reboot of DMT since it had never been put right after interruptions caused by commissioning.  Our DMT is now back in business.
• Resolved a problem with the nightly short list backups.  Since the beginning of S5, I have had a script running that backs up all of our target code, channels, epics security and scripts.  Tom Evans regularly archives this on CD.  With the many changes in filesystems and UIDs, the script hadn't been running for a while.  This is now fixed.
• Continuing to work with people on making sure they know the particulars of the CDS home account.  This is a step forward in moving toward individual logins in CDS.  Anyone travelling to the site for commissioning should see me if they don't already have a working account.
• Working on a new nat router configuration.

Safety & Security (Rich Riesen):

• During the recertification of the laser safety interlock and emergency shut down systems for the HPLF, I found the light bulb in the laser hazard  warning sign had been removed.
• The bulb was replaced and all laser safety systems are now fully functional.
• Found no other laser or security concerns this period.
• Working with Valera and Rupal with the up coming TCS laser system modifications.

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)

• DR Locking: Rob continues to make progress with locking the full inteferometer in the AdvLIGO configuration. Using single-demod signals (carrier - RFsidebands), the DRMI (MICH, PRC, SRC) locks quickly, followed by one arm, then the other (slightly off resonance). The whole process takes a few minutes. The SRC controls are handed off to double-demod signals (just RF sidebands). The handoff to CMservo analog path is still problematic; amongst other things, the MC suspension bounce modes at 16 Hz produce too much noise. Work continues.
• Aux Beam Arm Locking: John continues to work on this, not much progress this week.
• GigE Cameras & Image Processing: Joe is testing and comparing two different cameras; one is CMOS, the other is a CCD. Joe continues to assemble a dedicated GigE backbone to test network capabilities as regards frame rate, resolution, etc.
• Adaptive filter noise cancellation: Matt Evans is working with Alex to set up a Borkspace system, and Alex has installed software to route PEM signals to the c1ass computer for processing and thence to the SUS_MCL for feedforward. Rana is looking at purchasing more PEM equipment: Guralp seismometers, microphones, magnetometers. Josh is looking at PEM signals suitable for this (SNR > 10).
• 3f locking: Lisa, Rana, Rob and John have implemented a system for controlling MICH and PRC using RF demod signals at 3f = 99 MHz the REFL port (REFL99_I and REFL99_Q). These signals come primarily from the sidebands resonant in the PRC, not the carrier, so it should be less sensitive to what happens when the arms lock and ramp up. They made minimal hardware changes, modifying the 199MHz demod board, changing the local oscillator to 99.58 MHz. After tuning the demod phases and removing offsets, they locked both the PRM and the DRM in a stable way. They weren't able to acquire the lock in the DRM configuration directly by using the 3f signals; they needed instead to use the single-demod signals first, and switch to the 3f signals once the lock was already acquired. They are working on improving the signals so that they can be used directly for locking. Meanwhile, Lisa has returned to MIT - come back soon!
• Steve continues to work on simple beam dumps. He is measuring BRDFs, relative to white paper.

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Thermal Noise Interferometer (Black)

• This week Greg finished his analysis of Andri's ellipsometry data and obtained preliminary numbers for both dn/dT and the coefficient of thermal expansion for a thin film of tantala. Those numbers will be released next week at the LSC meeting, after we have finished checking the analysis.
• Tara got an aluminum mounting block for his laser and has set up the photothermal experiment. He is now in the process of aligning the beam to the test cavity.

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LASTI (Mittleman)

BSC-ISI

• We have both sets of damping loops running (some results on this weeks Lasti ilog). They can run independently or at the same time, a bit of good fortune there.
• We found the problem with the different corner, it turns out that there were two problems, the displacement sensor target was loose and the coarse actuator wires were not run properly and were rubbing on stage one. WE have moved on to designing the blended loops.

Noise Prototype Quad

• Brett is still working on the hysteresis characterization.

CIT Science Group (Weinstein)

_________________

Antony Searle:

• Wrote short presentation for Pacific Coast Gravity Meeting.
• Writing presentation for bursts face to face meeting.
• Writing a short paper on relationship between Monte-Carlo simulations and Bayesian searches for GWDAW 12 proceedings.

_________________

Amber L. Stuver:

LIGO Research

• I continued h(t) and h(f) factor comparison.  I am still in the process of analyzing (FFT spectra) S5 segments that are over 5e+04 seconds long, but another pass at a single segment PSD using 60 sec h(f) factors instead of 1 sec factors showed that the 60Hz sidebands that Sam noted in the Hanford elog: (http://ilog.ligowa.caltech.edu/ilog/pub/ilog.cgi?group=detector&task=view&date_to_view=01/11/2008&anchor_to_scroll_to=2008:01:11:18:27:21-waldma) is not due to any discrepancy in the factors (shown by the last plot on the following page: http://touro.ligo-la.caltech.edu/~stuver/research/hoft/psd/).  I did find that there does seems to be something in the codes that generate h(t) and h(f) factors that are different since the difference in the FFT spectra for the long data segments can be 'noisier' at some times than at others.  Tracking down this cause, while not a current priority since the 'noise' is small, will require going through that code and doing a line-by-line comparison.
• I also continued looking at the effect that polarization has on the expected SNR ratio between detectors given a detection delay.  It seems to me (I still need to do more work on the subject) that the combination of polarization angle and the sources internal orientation (the rotation it undergoes for the TT gauge transformation) is more important that just the polarization angle.  This wasn't unexpected but it does complicate the analysis.  I also spoke with Chad Hanna from LSU about taking my current polarization averaged SNR vs detection delay bounds and translating them into a python function to slot into the CBC follow-up pipeline.  He agreed to help me after his defense and the L-V meeting.

SEC Work

• Gave control room tours to ~95 students.  For ~65 of these students, the tour was extended and included a trip to the roof.
• Collaborated with John Thacker on his presentation at the APS meeting on 13 March.

_________________

Diego Fazi:

• Re-analyzing results from the PTF spinning injection run after correcting effective distances.
• Completed the implementation of a kludge distance for the PTF intrinsic parameter space (standalone code)

_________________

Kent Blackburn for the Grid R&D Team:

GRID APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT

• Britta is on vacation this week.
• Discussed ways to improve the troubleshooting of LIGO  applications on the OSG with the OSG Users Group coordinator  in the weekly OSG area coordinator's telecon. Plan to work  more with the GOC in the future. OSG Executive Director will  contact the Pegasus development team to see what they can do  since issues seen by LIGO seem to be related to middleware  issues between Condor-G and Pegusus and a possible interaction  with site configuations.

OPEN SCIENCE GRID INTEGRATION & VALIDATION TESTBEDS

• New hire to work on OSG Integration and Validation Testbed has  verbally accepted an offer to start in late April.
• Discussed ways to upgrade OSG hardware being used for OSG ITB  and VTB activities at Caltech with OSG Executive Director and  Project Manager. Recommendation made to go forward with a small  change request to support a minor upgrade.

OPEN SCIENCE GRID MANAGEMENT

• Worked with Caltech HR to formulate an offer letter for the  new OSG ITB/VTB grid administrator.
• Began reviewing several open issues for the OSG Council Chair  after stepping into this role. Chief among these are formulating  a "Mission Statement" for the OSG, reaching a council decision   on the future use of MonaLisa by the OSG, forming several sub-committees to review "at-large" VO membership, relationship of  council to the executive team, and preparing for the next OSG  science advisory meeting.
• Met with RENCI project managers and discuss OSG plans for the  future and ways in which LIGO application may be more transparently  run on the OSG. A key element used by RENCI in application porting  is match-making between the application requirements and site  capabilities. This may be useful as LIGO application become less  targeted to "tried and true" OSG sites and are transparently  launched onto the "grid".
• Attended the OSG Area Coordinator's telecon.

_________________

Gregory Mendell:

• I have initiated with the CW group a discussion of adding standard regression testing of the group's pipelines that run under Condor.  I am reading l number of analysis papers, and preparing for next week's LSC meeting.

_________________

Kipp Cannon:

• SGR flare review work.
• Preparing excess power review readiness presentation for burst group (scheduled for saturday).
• Lecture on introduction to burst search techniques for PH237.

_________________

Anand Sengupta:

• S5 hardware injections for h(t) calibration tests.
• Preparing slides for pcgm talk.

_________________

Drew Keppel:

• Preparing the final results of the S5 1Yr Low Mass CBC analysis.
• Following up questions from the review of the above search.

_________________

Joseph Betzwieser:

• Compared H(t) to H(f) calibrated data in the frequency band which was used in the frequency domain Crab search (59.52 to 59.57 Hz) and over the data segments used in the search.  For 60 second FFTs, the differences were reasonable for H2 and L1, but of order 30% for H1.  Will be repeating with 1800 second FFTs, which is the same length as the SFTs used in the Crab search.

Laboratory Computing (Anderson)

LDAS Software Systems (Maros)

• Work continues on implementing version 7 of the frame specification. The focus has been on implementing the reader class.
• Work is progressing on having the cmonClient download the test report to the client machine. Also, several corrections to the log filtering code to reduce the number of false positives have been added.
• System testing of LDAS used version 1.9.227 of the software. dbPerformance core dumped without running. I forgot to add datasock to Makefile but it ran ok by starting it manually. RDSverify never finish as cacheGetFilenames can not get the files for E11Pre.
• Week long testing on ldas-test used version 1.9.224 of LDAS and only resulted in the datacond having "no such symbol" errors.
• Minor work has been done on TCLGlobus configuration files in preparation for the next OSG release.

LDAS System Administration (Anderson)

MIT

(Fred Donovan)

• Installing centos on nodes via kickstart; some nodes (about 1/3) require 'manual' partitioning - (preserving /usr1 raid partition) - for these I comment out partition info in kickstart file, brief interruption for user intervention, then ks continues. More ks tweaking.

Hanford

(Greg Mendell)

• I have checked and verified that the minute and second trend data is up-to-date in the LDAS archives at LHO, LLO, or CIT, and that the raw and Level 1 and 3 RDS astrowatch data are up-to-date in the LDAS archives at LHO and CIT.  I have replaced a T3 and 3511 failed drives, replaced a failed power suppy in node88 and I am working to repair other cluster nodes.  I have applied zfs and other patches to the x4500 box.

General Computing (Wallace)

MIT

(Fred)

• Procmail scripts for nagios backup notification's.
• Installing xp new computer for Andy (solidworks).
• ilog work(some porting to html templates).
• Pulling cable for alcove outside 22-246 ethernet connection.

Livingston

(Dwayne)

• Applied a the remaining recommended changes to the ICS for local LLO Inventory.
• Assisted a user with some HTML issues.
• Other usual/unusual user support requests.
• Cleared spam trap.

Hanford

(Larry)

• Assisted Mike in clearing up some problems on a server setup.
• Worked daily backups.
• Working on s/w renewal contract.
• Just as a note there will be a planned network outage early Saturday morning. This will include the backup circuit. PNNL will be relocating a fiber rack.

(Mike)

• More work on dealing with Sun seeing about getting the raid array system fixed. Richard has taken over with this.
• Remotely finished up a linux NISPLUS workstation build for the control room.
• Work on a few user laptops that had some software issues.
• Other misc. work performed while my visit at LHO, and daily sysadmin tasks.

Caltech

(Mike)

• Trouble shot Phil Willems laptop. Looks like intergraded video problem. This laptop is out of warrantee. I backup his laptop via ghost, and dump this image to another laptop to get him up and running again. Larry is ordering him a new laptop.
• Worked on mail server issues. (incoming mail) Turned out to be Spam storm issues.
• Other misc. user support and daily sysadmin tasks.

(Veronica)

• LSC: Ongoing support of the March meeting.  Ongoing work on the new ligo.org.  Updates of techpaper databases.
• LIGO:  website updates /user suuport.

(Christian)

• Working a lot on the logistics support for the LSC-V meeting.
• Rebuilt the old loaner laptops and rebuilding the new ones for the conference.
• Assisted in more tests with the EVO system and the polycom system.
• Installed new DVD burner for John Cortese.
• Assisted Riccardo in setting up e-mail on his computer.
• Kip Cannon getting his computer repaired.
• Misc. support items.

(Larry)

• Purchased a number of items for the conference and other groups. Also, working on equipment rentals for the meetings. This has taken up a great deal of time the past few weeks. Purchased a license upgrade from Comsole. Collecting paperwork for multiple reconciliations.
• Still working with different groups on the logistics for the conference. The group is now working on a number of items to try and get the existing locations to work properly for the meetings.
• Took care of a number of LSC requests.
• Assisted the LDAS group in a couple of e-mail items that they are resolving.
• Worked a couple of e-mail listings. Still a number to go. Received a number of items to clean up from different group reps. on the project.
• Working with the EVO group and polycom group on different tests.

(Melody)

• New DCC: Continuing with DocDB installation and configuration on the new DCC server. DocDB scripts have been installed, but exercising different functions reveal several perl modules are missing in the system.  Also, trying to resolve an error in several pages which resulted from the server's local time zone not being set.
• LAAC: Awaiting any comments Nergis may have regarding the wiki.

Advanced LIGO and Supporting R&D (Shoemaker)

Advanced LIGO Systems

Modeling and Simulation

From: Hiroaki Yamamoto hiro@ligo.caltech.edu

Static IFO Simulation (Hiro)

• Effects of the BS wedge is being studied, mainly the beam sizes in Michelson cavity and the power in the arm. The result will be used to determine the upper limit of the wedge angle and for the design of the baffle in the stable Michelson cavity.
• The study of the diffractive loss shows that the true loss is larger than the geometrical calculation (using HG00 mode power distribution) by a factor up to 3 for the case we are interested in for advLIGO. This is because the beam diffuses due to the truncation of the field at the edge of the mirror.

Time Domain Simulation (Hiro, John)

• John worked on a new PSD class with some assistance  of Melody and Hiro. The new object calculates PSDs with fewer inputs from the user using different windowing function. This class is being modified so that it can be used in a more modular way. The e2e module front-end of this PSD function is being developed.

Mechanical Simulation for Advanced LIGO (Sany and SLU team)

• By using the DDC (digital-to-digital converter) primitive, we modified our e2e HEPI model based on the FIR filter provided by SWG. Previously, it was necessary that the computation-time-step be equal to the time-step used to compute the coefficients of the FIR filter. With the use of the DDC primitives, we can now use any time step for computation (by setting the time step setting of the DDC properly). We have confirmed that the resultant HAM table displacement are the same as before when we did not use the DDC but instead making the computation-time-step the same as the time step used for the FIR coefficient. With this modification, the Single stage HAM model on the HEPI model has been incorporated to our AdvLIGO Input MC model. We have confirmed that the MC cavity can be stably locked with this modification. More analysis will follow. 

Facilities Modifications and Preparations

From: John Worden <worden_j@ligo-wa.caltech.edu>

• Nothing to report this week.

Prestabilized Laser

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

• A safety and infrastructure review was held for the EnL/AdL PSL this week.  The review covered an updated hazard analysis and the proposed standard operating procedure for the 35-W laser at LHO.  A number of action items were the result.

Control and Data Systems

From: Rolf Bork rolf@ligo.caltech.edu

CDS OPS Activities

• Working with Rana and M. Evans at the 40m lab. Added some hardware and modified some software to send PEM signals to a new realtime computer to allow Matt to test adaptive filtering software.
• Met with Dave and Lisa today to discuss DAQ computer upgrades. This is timely, given the Sun matching grant list is now available. As presented in the CDS meeting a few weeks ago, we plan to change out to Opteron processor based computers to write frames. We plan to use the Sun 4600 models, similar to that which Stuart will change to on the LDAS side when CDS is ready.
• Code to support the above computers and the new Security Enhanced Network Data Server (SENDS) is proceeding and presently being tested.

CDS AdLigo Activities

• Controls requirements document for operation of the triple suspensions has bee written and sent to Rana for review.
• Vern is working to complete the test results from the Upper Intermediate Mass control electronics.
• Vern is setting up a review panel for the Mar. 26 Timing System PDR.
• Now that some of the major system designs are being firmed up, we started to put together a rack count/layout. In the corner station, AdLigo will require upwards of 20-25 racks to house electronics (not counting MSR equipment). While this fits easily into the highbay room (where LLO electronics are now) to run H1/L1, we need to figure out where to put in all the H2 equipment.
• The PSL control electronics for testing at AEI are continuing in various stages of build/test. The goal is to have that equipment shipped mid/late April.
• Ben is working on the SEI installation/wiring diagrams to verify costs and rack space requirements.

Seismic Isolation

From: Ken Mason kmason@ligo.mit.edu

SEI Electronics Design and Fabrication

• We have started looking at the SEI wiring for AdLigo.  This is in an attempt to figure out how many racks we'll need to order, and how many chassis will need to be made.  This will help me check over the SEI Electronics budget, and position us for smooth ordering.  We also received a SEI Interface chassis from Rich Mittleman that needs to be brought up to the latest form factor and rev.  The parts are on order, and a board is in hand.  The next thing to do is to make a new front and back panel, and put it into a new box.  -Ben A.

SEI Activities and Progress at LHO

• The large plates have been cleaned at Astropak and have been shipped to LLO for air bake. The parts are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday.

HAM Crossbeam Design

• Stephany is assisting Andy with the design and FEA of the HAM gullwing in order to make this part of the HEPI fabrication readiness review.

AdvLIGO HEPI

• Wrote a DCN to upload remaining as built drawings to the DCC.

Suspensions

From Janeen Romie and Norna Robertson

(romie_j@ligo-la.caltech.edu, nroberts@ligo.caltech.edu)

HAM Suspensions for Advanced & Enhanced LIGO

• Output Mode Cleaner Suspension: LLO OMC is in HAM6. We are procuring parts for the LHO OMC. OMC Installation document has been updated.
• Recycling Mirror Suspension/Input Mode Cleaner Suspension: Nothing major to report

BSC Suspensions for Advanced LIGO

• Quad: Comparison of measurements and results from Mark's Mathematica model strongly support the wire hysteresis hypothesis for the pitch alignment problems at LASTI. We will shortly be discussing a revised schedule for the quad work leading to installation in the BSC.
• Various reviews are underway. The BOSEM review report is almost complete. The first meeting of the ETM/ITM structure fabrication review takes place Friday 14 March.

Core Optics

From: GariLynn Billingsley <Billingsley_G@ligo.caltech.edu>

• The third pathfinder kickoff meeting was held at L3 communications SSG-Tinsley on Friday, March 7th.  The trip report can be found at LIGO-C080031-00 (In DCC/OUT as of this writing).
• Hiro is working on modeling the astigmatism induced by the BS wedge.
• Liyuan has verified the absorption measurement of the steering mirror that came from LLO, near the mode cleaner.  As measured from the front side and the back side, the mirror has roughly 30ppm absorption over the entire coated area.  One striking feature is that there is only one high absorption point when the coating is measured from the back, of about 100 ppm, compared to tens of points on that measured from air side.   The plan is to anneal the optic and see if the absorption goes down.  We will also research with REO if there was anything unusual in the processing of this mirror.
  

Auxiliary Optics

From: Michael Smith smith@ligo.caltech.edu

• SLC: Mike used the reflectivity and BRDF data for black glass, which was measured with Dan Riley, SURF student last summer, and created a ZEMAX glass file called "blkglass" that matches the experimental reflectivity values reasonably well--the Fresnel reflectivity properties of "blkglass" are almost identical to BK7. He modeled the elliptical baffle, the arm cavity baffle, and the cryopump baffle in ZEMAX, using "blkglass".
• The BRDF of the baffles is <4 E-7, and the net reflectivity for the horizontally polarized 1064 nm IFO liight is as follows:

  BAFFLE TYPE	R p-pol	R s-pol	R net
  Arm Cavity Baffle	3.7 E-10	NA	3.7 E-10
  Elliptical Baffle	3.7 E-10	1.5 E-6	7.5 E-5
  Cryopump Baffle, with baffle plate	5.3 E-15	5.3 E-9	2.7 E-9
  Cryopump Baffle, without baffle plate	5.6 E-10	5.6 E-5	2.8 E-5

• Although we have not yet measured the reflectivity and BRDF of "porcelainized black glass", we are assuming that the values are within a factor ten of those for "blkglass". With these low net reflectivity values, it may not be necessary to suspend the cryopump baffle. We are checking on that.
• Mike is working on a ZEMAX model to calculate the glinted/diffracted light from the rounded edges of the "blkglass" baffles.
• Completed d a preliminary eligo /adv ligo manifold non suspended /suspended cone style beam dump design; The shop is preparing 2 samples of the porcelain metal base material selection 'enameling iron'  features per drawing, these to be black porcelain coated by two vendors, to be used for our tests for future vacuum application. A base metal sample of  'enameling iron'  is with Bob Taylor for rga testing; Sam Waldman's HAM table beam dumps will arrive at LLO tomorrow, the black glass 3-18; Communicated with Luke Williams re the use of baked mirror stainless for his baffle designs, material availability and a fab. vendor.  (Ken M)

ELIGO

• SLC: Luke presented a preliminary design for the ELIGO end BSC baffle. Suggestions were made by the group for stiffening the mounting to the chamber wall.
  Ken presented a preliminary design for the ELIGO manifold baffle. The simplified design of the flat manifold baffle will enable it to be introduced into the manifold tube through the door in the BSC chamber. Dennis pointed out that the baffle support ring must clear the weld bead on the inside of the manifold tube.
• A preliminary design review for the ELIGO baffles will be held at the AOS meeting on 4/27/08, Thursday at 10:00 AM. 

Input Optics

From: David tanner@phys.ufl.edu

• eLIGO IO: The EOM for the LHO eLIGO installation has been assembled. This one uses "hard" BN fittings (as opposed to teflon) in an attempt to reduce piezo resonances. Tests are in progress. (Volker Quetchke)

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For additional information about this report, contact Albert Lazzarini or Phil Lindquist