LSC
Issues (Reitze)
LIGO
Laboratory Administration (Lindquist)
STATUS OF LSC MOUs (Lloyd)
PROPERTY ACCOUNTING (Luna)
- Continued working on LIGO-Caltech physical inventory (Bridge and Lauritsen).
- Assisted Janeen at LLO with making arrangements for shipping the ERGO Arm from LLO to CIT.
- Assisted GariLynn with making shipping arrangements to bring back three Heraeus fused silica blanks from the University of Adelaide.
- Created an Inventory report for all capital assets at LHO.
- Working with Phil, Karl and Tracy Fraser from Property Services in closing four Fabrication Accounts.
- Had a telecon with Norna, Carol and UK collaborators to discuss how to properly import Scientific Equipment into the U.S.
DOCUMENT CONTROL CENTER (Turner, Mak)
>From: Cleveland Mak <mak_c@ligo.caltech.edu>
- Met with Melody to discuss some new features/enhancements of the new DCC but mainly to review the QA certification function that has now been implemented. Documents now that are designated for public viewing will be accessible on the public user document search website once the document has been certified.
- More work on the Internal Bulletin Board Links.
FINANCIAL SYSTEMS (Funaro, Oracion)
>From: Karl Oracion <koracion@ligo.caltech.edu>>
PROPOSALS and REPORTS (Beckett, Lindquist)
- Dave Beckett issued the request for contributions for the end-of-February status report. The report is due to the NSF on Monday, March 16. We have asked that contributions be submitted by Wednesday, March 11.
CHANGE REQUESTS (Lindquist)
- Change Request CR-090001, which establishes baseline budgets for FY 2009 LIGO Operations, has been distributed for consideration by the LIGO Change Board.
- Change Request CR-090002, which requests funds to begin a squeezing experiment at Hanford, was reviewed and approved on Monday, March 2, during the regularly scheduled meeting of the LIGO Executive Committee. The minutes have been published (LIGO-L0900033-v1.doc).
HUMAN RESOURCES (Akutagawa)
>From: Cindy Akutagawa <cindy@ligo.caltech.edu>
- The next Staffing Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 9.
- A Staffing Committee meeting was held on Monday, February 9th and the minutes and action items have been posted on the SC web page.
- All files for the Staffing Committee are up-to-date and posted on the SC web page.
Quality/Safety (Tyler)
>From: Bill Tyler tyler@ligo.caltech.edu
- The LIGO Safety Steering Committee meeting today discussed the safety issues associated with installation of a permanent by-pass of the 35W laser OEM "safety" interlock. One of the concerns raised about installation of a by-pass is that it may be inconsistent with ANSI laser safety requirements and the reasons that it was installed by the laser manufacturer. An argument was made that installing a by-pass was acceptable since the laser was actually just one part of a larger laser system that included many different "levels" of laser personnel safety elements. The safety issue regarding the by-pass will also be directed to a member of the ANSI organization for an opinion to give the Committee. A Committee by-pass recommendation will remain pending until the results of the existing (no by-pass configuration) hazard/risk evaluation is revised for the by-pass installed configuration.
- The Committee also decided that the use of a "plastic" cover for the 35W laser was acceptable as long as there was in-place a metal cover "over the polarization optics located between the master oscillator (NPRO) and the Pockels cell (EOM)" (per Peter King).
LIGO
Hanford
Observatory (LHO) and Interferometer Operations (Raab)
Summary of Activities at LIGO Hanford Observatory
(compiled by M. Landry)
- Late last week, having installed the passive-tilt mount into HAM6 and extracting the OMC REFL beam, we finished up some in-chamber housekeeping procedures, hung three doors and pumped down. DC locking the H1 IFO at 7W and looking at the noise spectrum, we see immediately that the cluster of broad mechanical peaks around 500Hz and 900Hz are gone. The peaks in the bucket remain and may be larger. These peaks are likely driven by the vertical modes of the ISI table. We're uncertain of the source, but speculation has centered on TT2, the last active tip-tilt mirror the beam sees prior to landing on the OMC. TT2 sits at the extreme end of the table, with one pad overhanging the table-top surface, so it is only dogged down on one side (two places). Regardless of whether or not this is the source of the peaks, we'll arrange for another clamp on the (overhang) side. Other ideas for dealing with these nasty peaks right in the bucket include in-vacuum damping of the table Z-mode.
- PSL work this week included a retrofit of polarizers in the 35W PSL. Suspected to include hygroscopic epoxy, the initial polarizers likely caused beam-pointing drifts as a function of humidity. The problem was worked out at LZH and the solution implented here. We will monitor pointing to see if the problem is solved.
- TCS work from last week appears to have significantly reduced beam pointing drifts onto the axicons (the main goal of the new table design, including over-filled iris). The result should allow more stable annulus patterns, which currently look excellent.
Astrowatch (B. Behnke)
- H2 had an uptime of 66% with an average inspiral range of 6.31 Mpc
- During our shifts we observe long periods (up to 1.5 hours) of strong glitches. We don't know what causes them, but we are not able to see any coherence with the seismic channels. After these periods, which end suddenly, it comes back to its initial inspiral range and does not seem to operate worse or with less sensitivity than before the glitches started. We initially thought it might be TCS as we saw big glitches in the laser power in the qscans we ran during the noisy times. But it turned out that we see those glitches in the laser power also during quiet times
- From time to time we see big bumps in DARM_ERR, centered around the 100 Hz region, lasting for a few seconds. Investigations are ongoing
- The y-arm TCS chiller temperature was adjusted several times to find the right temperature setting to give us laser power output above the alarm threshold value and stable noise
Outreach (D. Ingram)
- Anamaria Effler and Corey Gray represented LHO at the Columbia Basin College Career Fair on 2/19/09, interacting with ~100 guests over careers in research. It's an indication of the growth of LHO outreach that neither of the pair of LHO's portable Michelsons was available for the CBC event. One was returning from the NSBP/NSHP conference in Nashville (Raab), the other was visiting GEAR UP sites in northern WA (Ingram).
LIGO
Livingston Observatory (LLO) and Interferometer
Operations (Giaime)
General
- LLO hosted an Open Science Grid (OSG) all-hands meeting this week. Many thanks to those who contributed to this, and to Bonnie Wooley, who made all the local arrangements happen.
- Adv LIGO assembly-area clean rooms mostly assembled in staging building. They appear to be very well designed and built.
- New office areas largely complete; folks are beginning to move in.
- Please join us in welcoming Céline Ramet, a mechanical engineer, to the LIGO staff.
Enhanced LIGO Commissioning (Valera Frolov)
The DC readout noise investigation and preparation for the high power operation continued:
- The dark noise of the OMC photo-detector chain is under study. The dark noise from ADC was reduced by implementing the independent switchable whitening on two OMC PDs which allowed the robust transition to running with all whitening stages engaged. The ADC dark noise is estimated to be a factor of several below the DARM noise with 20 mA photo current.
- The beam splitter suspension de-whitening electronics was measured and compensated to 1% and 1 deg. This made the transfer function from MICH control to DARM control less frequency dependent and resulted in improved feed forward subtraction.
- The coupling of the noise from the side damping electronics to DARM was measured. The initial analysis indicated that this noise is a factor of several below the current DARM noise.
- The new DC readout power normalization scheme was implemented. The changes of the fringe offset, loop gain, and power are largely independent.
- The TCS optical table retrofit started to improve the quality and stability of the CO2 beam heating pattern.
CDS (Keith Thorne)
eLIGO:
- Solved problem preventing addition of TCS DAC channels for upgrade.
- Updated EPICS channels for PEM sensor move from ISCT4 to HAM6.
- Updated conlog to ignore OMC monitor channels.
- Added ISI checker to standard script crontab.
Sys-admin:
- Worked with Abe Singer on CDS configuration tools.
- Updated 'stdenv' scripts to allow site and platform independent EPICS scripting, planned out full implementation.
- Moved weather station interface back to l0pemms to free up VME test stand.
- Started LInux server setup for new web server, NDS
- Investigated state vector problem preventing science mode.
Safety & Security (Rich Riesen)
- Completed safety orientation for Celine Ramet (new LLO staff member), also scheduled her for CPR/AED/First Aid training (per her request), and scheduled an entrance laser eye exam. She has completed the Laser Safety Training CD's, read through the LLO Safety Procedure Manual. The only things needed for her NHZ access is a verbal question & answer session, and a walk through of the NHZ areas within LLO with the Laser Safety Officer.
- AED location signs and exit signs are being installed in the SEC area the pre-existing paper Emergency Laser Shutdown signs have been replaced with rigid polycarbonate signs.
- All old (used-up) batteries on site have been gathered and are ready for disposal.
- Laser Warning signs for the main entrances to the X & Y end station VEA's have been updated to reflect all required information.
- Up-dated Crane, Man lift, and Forklift authorized user signage and posted throughout the site where warranted.
- Completed the quarterly safety and housekeeping walk-through of the SEC building with Kathy Holt. There were no areas of concern in either area.
- Damaged or missing fire extinguisher location signs have been received and are ready for installation.
- Checked all site first-aid kits for expired supplies, removed expired supplies and restocking is under way.
- Updated the machine shop Authorized Personnel User list and posted.
Livingston Outreach
(Kathy Holt)
- Prepared classroom for OSG conference.
- Hosted and participated in the OSG conference held on site.
- Conducted 1 Homeschool field trip with 67 participants 37 students (grades k-6) and 30 adults.
- Collected data from Jan08 - Jan09 visitors to the SEC, public tours, church groups, families and local visitors 566 total.
- Using Excel recorded data from all teacher PD's and workshops identifying parish, grade level, and project.
- Redesigned the Docent Training program for Cohort 3 which begins next week.
- Scheduled Prof. McGuire's physics class to visit SEC.
- Prepared and mailed pre-visit packets for March and April school visits.
- Compiled information for substitute pay from workshop and mailed to the Exploratorium.
(Amber Stuver)
- Gave control room tours to ~20 home school students.
- Gave control room and facilities tour to ~75 visiting scientist who where on site for the OSG All Hands Meeting.
- Prepared and presented the LIGO Outreach and Education talk at the OSG meeting (G0900084-v1).
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 also Advanced
LIGO
Controls and Data Systems (Bork)
See Advanced
LIGO
40-Meter Interferometer (Adhikari)
- The lock acquisition process still has difficulty in passing the arm power of 10. In this state, all the short degrees of freedom are controlled by the DD signals, and the DARM is on the AS RF signal. The CARM loop is controlled by the PO_DC with the high bandwidth AO path engaged. When ramping up the arm power, the IFO loses lock suddenly around the power = 10. Every time it loses lock, the power in both of the arms goes up rapidly up to 30. It always goes up not down. This seems to be the key to the problem, but the cause of this is still not understood.
- Joe has been adding useful functionalities to the GigE camera softwares. He is preparing for a clean release of his SnapPy package for people to use. He also received two more cameras and set up a dedicated network between the cameras and the server computer. It was confirmed that one gigabit network card with a gigabit switch can handle the four cameras at the same time with the maximum image size.
- Osamu and Kiwamu installed two SuperMicro computers to test the advanced LIGO style digital control system. They are now installing various softwares, such as real time kernel, the real time code generator and so on.
- Jenne is trying to do the winner filtering noise subtraction for the S5 data.
- Alberto is working on the simulation of the double-demod signals for the current 40m to compare them with the 3f signals.
Thermal Noise Interferometer (Black)
- Greg replaced the mirror mounts in the photothermal apparatus with monolithic aluminum blocks on rotation stages. This changed - but did not eliminate - the spectrum of mechanical resonances he is seeing above about 250 Hz. Next, acting on Riccardo's suggestion, he will eliminate the rotation stage and try a different shape for the blocks.
LASTI (Mittleman)
CIT Science Group (Weinstein)
_________________
Gregory Mendell:
- I am working with Colin Gill on producing fscans for S6. We are working on an initial set of changes to the code to fix problems with SFT generation during fscan production, and to allow for an adjustable frequency resolution and better time-axis scaling on the fscan spectrograms made from SFTs.
_________________
Peter Kalmus:
- Continued Stack-a-flare SGR search review.
- Continued revising Stack-a-flare methods paper.
- Continued revising Stack-a-flare results paper.
- Presented Stack-a-flare update at burst group telecon.
_________________
Antony Searle:
- Integrating new Bayesian followup functionality into Omega pipeline.
- Selected SURF students.
_________________
Ajith Parameswaran:
- Worked on the S5 CBC high-mass search paper.
- Did some investigations about presenting the upper limits of the S5 CBC high-mass search.
- Continued work on spinning IMR waveforms.
_________________
Chad Hanna:
- I helped Kari a bit more with automating her statistical pattern recognition software on the output of ihope.
- I worked more on LLOID.
- I debugged some more features of the followup pipeline.
_________________
Drew Keppel:
_________________
Cristina Valeria Torres:
- Continue testing AUTOTRACK code to see what are the optimal configurations required to process data in real-time.
- Continue proof reading the CBC follow up procedures document.
- Assist with an SEC tour group (70 Livonia students) of LLO.
- Debug interface for DQ flag queries in follow up software and also re-designed web front end for quick use available at https://ldas-jobs.ligo.caltech.edu/~ctorres/cgi-bin/findFlagsAroundT0.cgi.
_________________
Kent Blackburn for the grid computing group:
- All team members attended the OSG All Hands meeting this week at LIGO Livingston Observatory.
- Britta Daudert took first place in the poster session contest with her poster on running Einstein@Home on the OSG.
- Held several hallway conversations with storage and virtualization experts on ways to advance our integration testbed.
- Received time on Amazon's EC2 via Argonne for testing E@OSG on cloud computing resources.
_________________
Amber L. Stuver:
- Continued work on the LUMIN code for the LOOC-UP project.
- Discussed ways to evaluate Warren Johnson's optimal filtering pipeline against the current burst ETGs and made plans with him and Myungkee to implement them.
_________________
Anand Sengupta:
_________________
Kipp Cannon:
- S4 string cusp search reviewee work.
- A5 flare storm reviewer work.
- Reviewed applications from undergrads for SURF project(s).
- Continuing work with Chad on low-latency inspiral search techniques.
- Continuing work with Collin and Duncan on S6 inspiral pipeline development tasks.
- Telecons: inspiral, inspiral-code, string review, flare review.
Laboratory Computing (Anderson)
LDAS Software Systems (Maros)
- The release candidate of LDAS 1.12.0 was generated and distributed to CDS and DMT for validation. This version will be distributed to the general LIGO/Virgo community once FrameL with version 8 frame support has been installed at the sites.
- Documentation of frameCPP describing the Version 8 implementation continues to be refined.
- Work has started on moving the logging functionality from the TCL layer to the C++ layer. This will allow both TCL and C++ routines to write to the same log file.
LDAS System Administration (Anderson)
Caltech
(Dan Kozak)
- Got general purpose script for rearchiving data to T10KB format tapes, still tweaking and extending the script, but data is now moving.
- Worked on setting up archive sets, etc. for the M10 run.
- With Igor and Keith, set up new /fb0_frames at LLO.
- Worked with Sun to get us a 7.1 (Crystal) firmware on our test 6140. This is now scheduled for next week.
- Chased the phantom T10KB firmware that someone at Sun had mentioned.
- Did a data restore for the 40m guys.
- Discovered another problem with ssum;collected data but haven't * exhaustively tested to determine the problem exactly (yet).
- IDed tapes for shelf storage at LHO.
- IDed & shipped tapes to LHO for relabelling/reuse.
- Checked out 2540 RAID array specs for CDS.
- Verified Xavi's A5 h(t) frames and copied them to /archive.
- Got shipping set up for our 9940A/B RMAs.
- Sent lots of data about our FC/tape configuration to Don Crouse for use at Sun's benchmarking center.
(Phil Ehrens)
- Finished the TAR and presented the result to Marilyn and Albert. Additional functionality requested by each of them still to be implemented.
- Ongoing work on the LIGO Internal Bulletin Board. Cleveland has completed his part of it and now I have to merge his updates in.
- Reconfigured Apache on vcs to support installation of IPSCA certs for virtual interfaces serving kerberized cvs and git.
(Josh Abadie)
- Worked on the CentOS 5 upgrade.
- Almost finished disk upgrade procedure.
- Watched over systems.
MIT
(Fred Donovan)
- Cleaned up kickstart script; Bates mtg.
Livingston
(Igor Yakushin)
- Worked out kickstart procedure for upgrading the old LLO cluster to CentOS before shipping it to MIT.
- Ordered pallet for the robot to arrive on Monday.
- Published A5 H2 frames per Peter Kalmus' request.
(Doug Lormand)
- Brought node208 up on Tuesday morning, just needed a reboot.
- Ran badblocks.sh script Tuesday to get a list of disks that need to be replaced.
- Ran dd.sh script to clone hda onto hdb on nodes 6 thru 11.
- Replaced hdb on nodes 42, 95, and 195.
- Brought node37 back online, turns out it was a memory problem not a disk error.
- Will replace hda on three of the nodes either today or tomorrow.
Hanford
(Greg Mendell)
- I have ordered a GigE card needed to bring the new LDAS gateway box online, power supplies to fix nodes, and I am working with Dan Moraru on an order to test new disks for the nodes.
- I have been working with Dave Barker and LDAS to debug some problems with new test versions of trend frames with over 64,000 channels.
- I am discussing with LDAS and our site manager possible redesigns of the duct work and cable trays in the LDAS room at LHO.
- I have set up a separate rsync of the DMT hoft data that will permanently archive this data without deletion at the sites.
- I am setting up further tests of the LDAS hoft generation.
(Dan Moraru)
- Determined hardware requirements for upgrading storage on existing cluster and requested samples for testing.
- Upgraded Condor to 7.2.1 * Finalized kickstart configuration for upgrade to CentOS 5.
General Computing (Wallace)
MIT
(Fred)
- Setting up core i7 (32 and 64) for fabrice.
- Solaris 10 on 1500 for ligo backup.
- Working ansys/altium licensing purchase.
- Ups replacement batteries for cds and ldas; matlab upgrade to 2008b.
- Ram upgrade and centos install for burst group.
- Reconfiguring nova raid arrays (burst group).
Livingston
(Dwayne)
- Support for the OSG conference.
- GC mail and accounts for new user.
- Cleaned up spam traps.
- Took care of plotter issues.
Hanford
(Jonathan)
- Installed u6 on lamb.
- Installed SunStudio12 on lamb and exported to marble.
- Cleared out GC computer room to make room for CDS racks.
- Final setup of mail filter.
- Warranty repairs on Mike Landry's computer (motherboard died).
- Computer cleanup for Doug Cook, misc support for other users.
- Hardware diagnostics, internal battery replacement, patching on koppen.
- Routine DHCP & SPAM filter work.
- Initial install of Veritas NetBackup 6 (Configuration and updates not done yet).
- Purchased misc IT supplies.
Caltech
(Mike)
- Worked on network issue with a users computer.
- Continued work on the ADVLIGO backup server. The core of this project is done, now I'm working on a synchronization configuration to sync with LHO's ADV server.
- Order more equipment for users and GC.
- Installed a toner cartridges on multiple printers.
- Added additional wireless mac addresses to our Access Points.
- Fixed an email problem with Eudora for a user.
- Testing Network/EVO with Larry and other sysadmin's in preparation for the upcoming LSC meeting.
- End of month backups on all critical NTSRV's.
- Other misc. onsite/phone user support, and additional sysadmin tasks.
(Christian)
- IT Support for the OSG Conference at LLO.
- Removed malware from visitor's laptop at the OSG meeting.
- Assisting in working logistics for the LSC-V meeting.
(Melody)
- Deployed DCC version 2.1.0 which includes QA certification capabilities and public document access.
- Supported user requests (removing wrong files, allowing access, recreating bugs).
(Veronica)
- Ongoing support of the LV meeting. Updates of the website. Investigated an oddball registration entry; most likely a spam attempt. Installed scripts for breakdown lists of F2F participants. Participated in testing of the EVO setup for the meeting.
- WebComm: Posted modifications to a proposed corporate website layout, with implementation/
maintenance estimates. Proposed separation of the corporate website and the intranet, outlined the advantages of this approach. Given the time constraints, keeping the focus on the corporate website is advantageous; the intranet should become the focus of a next phase of the redevelopment project.
- Set up an EVO broadcast for a joint LIGO/TAPIR talk.
- Updates of the GWADW 2009 website, other LSC and Lab webpages/apps.
(Larry)
- The purchase order for the new core switch has gone through the system. The company has the order and is working on getting a delivery date. Ordered more equipment and purchased a number of items in support of the LSC-V meeting. Tracked down some Dell equipment that was on back order. Looks like part of it arrived today. Wrapping up a SUN order, it should be out tomorrow. Starting on getting a new UPS order placed.
- The changes to dns tables and getting new certs were quite numerous this past week. A lot of people updating and setting up new services.
- Spent time working on testing out the A/V and network at the hotel for the LSC-V meeting. Still quite a bit of work to do.
- Wrapped up the testing for the engineering account move to the new server.
- Some minor work on different printers for end users.
- Troubleshooting with Riccardo a new Labview installation.
- Regular end user assistance.
Advanced LIGO and Supporting R&D (Shoemaker)
Advanced LIGO Management
No report.
Advanced LIGO
Systems
Dennis Coyne <coyne@ligo.caltech.edu>, Peter Fritschel <pf@ligo.mit.edu>, Calum Torrie<ctorrie@ligo.caltech.edu>, Matt Evans <mevans@ligo.mit.edu>, Ed Chavez <chavez_j@ligo.caltech.edu> see the Adv. LIGO Systems wiki
AdL Project-Funded Activities
Design Reviews: For a list of reviews, see the main AdL wiki page
Procurement Techncial Reviews: see the procurement wiki
- Reviewed the SEI posiiton sensor PO.
- Reviewed the SEI actuator PO.
- Reviewed the SEI HAM ISI seismometer PO.
- Reviewed the Air Bake Ovens RFQ.
Technical Review Board (TRB): see the TRB log
UHV & Vacuum Review Board (VRB): see the VRB log
Configuration Control & Documentation:
- Opto-Mechanical Meeting: This week we held our 4th Opto-Mechanical meeting. This week we covered the proposed new set of templates for use in Advanced LIGO. All of the items (requirements, suggestions, teaching materials etc ...) will be hosted at the following (or equivalent) link https://dcc.ligo.org/wiki/index.php/Solidworks_General_Help On Friday of this week we are hosting the last session of our PDMWorks and SolidWorks 2009 training. At Caltech this will be held in the ECR and folks from around LIGO will join via telephone and WebCAM XP.
Design/Planning:
- Held an optomechanical layout meeting between Systems, AOS and IO at UFL. Meeting notes are given in L0900030. While there are many actions that came out of the meeting, it was quite sucessfull. We concluded that (a) the basic stable recycling cavity parameters and layout is acceptable, (b) HAM optics table extensions are required to accommodate the IO layout, (c) some additional holes were needed in the HAM optics table to accommodate clamping payloads near the fore and aft edges (along the beam line) and to attach table extensions, (d) the HAM optics table must be raised from it's minimum height to minimize mass in spacers under the suspensions and (e) only large optics and HAM optics tables need to be monitored with optical levers. Numerous interface issues were identified for resolution as well.
- Optomechanical Layout : Ed and Calum have a template for creating a layout for all of the chambers. We have applied our template to both HAM2 and BSC8. We are currently working on loading it to the vault. As we expand this we will create an integrated layout for both Hanford, H and Livingston, L. (We plan to include H1 and H2 in our H version.) We will also build chamber assemblies using the H and L indicators e.g. BSC7-H and eventually each suspension will not only have a configuration of it's specific name i.e. PRM but also a H1, H2 and L1 flavour (to reflect the varation in optic pitch required).
- Added a 3D sketch to represent the Global Coordinates, to Top Assembly Level for HAM2 and BSC8 (Simple & Complex).
- Based on suggested changes from last week's optomechanical layout meeting at UFL:
- Defined only one user coordinate system per payload assembly, making the X axis in the direction of the outward facing normal to the HR mirror face, but in a plane parallel to the base (and from an origin at the center of the HR face).
- Created a Sub-Assembly of Chamber/VE (same level as 3D sketch).
- Created a Top Level assembly for HAM2 and BSC8 merging the simplified and complete (complicated) versions at the 3D Sketch level.
- Created a Test Big Layout assembly to locate HAM2 and BSC8.
- Mass Properties of key BSC and HAM Chambers for Adv LIGO . Calum has an approximate layout of HAM2, HAM8 and BSC7 and BSC8 with counterweights etc ... These will be incorporated into the BSC layout assembly.
- Adv LIGO Suspensions:
- FEA of Suspension Blade Spring - Calum has been working with SUS on an FEA model for the proposed thinner lower blade springs for the HSTS. (The current equations do not allow for "watch spring" style curves in the springs.
- Structure for HLTS and HSTS - Calum has been working with SUS Livingston on:
- ensuring the prototype HLTS structure has holes located to allow for cleaning & inspection of weld areas
- adding holes to all of the suspensions to allow for the possibility of using an alternative installation technique
- adding holes to all of the suspensions to allow for interface to spacers / shims between the structures and table.
- Updated Mass budget for HLTS and HSTS - have looked again at the mass budget for both HLTS and HSTS and have sent a draft set of numbers to LLO for comment.
- Definition of maraging steel used in Advanced LIGO: T0900091-v2 has a definition of maraging steel used in Advanced LIGO and was created to clear up some confusion between naming conventions used in the US and Europe.
- Cantilever Blade Spring Process: E0900023-v2 defines the process for manufacturing cantilever blade springs from Maraging steel in Advanced LIGO. Ken Mailand and Calum are working on the testing of the alternative process outlined in #5b.
- Working on a draft welding Specification for Weldments used within the Advanced LIGO Vacuum System, E0900048, also posted to the UHV welding wiki (available from the Systems wiki).
- Started a contamination control wiki -- collected references and an action item plan -- will set up a team meeting to discuss issues & plans for resolution soon
Interfaces:
see the RODA status page and the Interface Control page.
- Interfaces in and around the Test Mass: A summary of items that will be required, or are proposed for, the volume around the test masses is provided in T0900092-v2. Calum will visit the UK in April to discuss this in more detail with both the Glasgow and RAL group.
Modeling and Simulation
From: Hiroaki Yamamoto hiro@ligo.caltech.edu
- Matteo Barsuglia of APC laboratory (AstroParticule et Cosmologie) in Paris contacted me about the simulation result of the comparison of the non-degenerate and degenerate ( or stable and marginally stable) Michelson cavity. He said they are considering the non-degenerate configuration for advanced Virgo and was interested in any simulation results related to this. I sent a summary note T080208, and explained the simulation situation for advLIGO and why we favored the stable configuration. I suggested that they validate the issue using Finesse. We agreed to keep in touch to exchange results related to this issue.
(Melody, Hiro)
- Most of the week was spent for developing SIS codes and basic algorithm development
Safety
From: David Nolting dnolting@ligo-la.caltech.edu
- Assisted LLO personnel with the assembly of a new clean room that arrived this week.
- Conducted a review of the RMC Safety Program for contract work at LHO.
- Assisted Bill Tyler with updating LIGO safety related documents.
- Contractor work activities at LLO are winding down and continue to use safe work practices.
Quality Assurance
From: Mick Flanigan flanigan_m@ligo-wa.caltech.edu
Inventory System:
- This week QA worked with the procurements team and other key stakeholders to review high level requirements overall for the ICS (inventory control system), to ensure we are on track with the goals for development. We also split the ICS system into three development modules: Procurements, asset processing, and inspections and defects. We have agreed as a team to start development of the Procurement module in JIRA at this time, and pending outcome of the work will make the decision shortly to develop the rest of the system in JIRA or evaluate another solution.
- In the interim, a template for recording parts ordered with columns for received status and inspection status has been made available on the DCC, #LIGO-F080008-04. I am asking that teams use this for the next few weeks until we are able to import into the ICS system. Please record any parts ordered, and the status, and as soon as we are able we will start to upload again to ICS.
Vendor Inspection:
- Reviewed the status and condition of the 4 remaining test stands being built for the BSC. The stands looked to be in good condition, surfaces were generally flat, mating surfaces did not show signs of damage as the first test stand did. The threaded feet we unwrapped and looked at were in much better condition than the first shipment, and the supplier is going to inspect all units prior to sending to us. The supplier has images of the previous units and is aware of the issues. It looks like a combination of improper packaging on some units as well as some issues with handling at the subcontracted machine shop caused the damage. The supplier is still running significantly behind the contract schedule, however at least the parts are ready for sand blasting and painting, weather permitting. Estimate delivery of all 4 remaining units is at 4 weeks.
Facilities Modifications and Preparations
From: John Worden <worden_j@ligo-wa.caltech.edu>
LLO:
- We received the clean rooms this week and have assembled two of them. The final coat on the floor in the warehouse and the area assigned as triple and small sus build is complete. We shipped the SUS assembly stand out for painting.
LHO:
- All four assembly clean rooms are up with curtains installed. As time permits we will address the electrical wiring.
- A punch list has been sent to Apollo regarding the Staging Building closeout. A kick-off meeting was held Tuesday am with Reiboldt-Mallonee who will be converting our warehouse into clean/bake space. We are starting to review resumes for assembly techs.
Seismic Isolation
From: Ken Mason kmason@ligo.mit.edu
aLIGO Project Activities
HEPI Mechanics:
- Pump Stations -- Still a few weeks out for completion of production run of Manifold and Custom Resistor Washers.
- Major Procurements -- Tracking on schedule for first assemblies at LLO in April. The final order for the piers has been placed.
- Actuator -- Visiting KineOptics for first unit inspection end of next week. ~ Hugh
SEI Electronics Design and Fabrication:
- The parts for the GS-13 Interconnect Cable and Board have come in. I'm going to make one of each type up, and send the rest out for fabrication soon.
- Parts for the STS-2 Interface Chassis have started to come in. I plan to stuff and assemble one chassis, and see if anything needs to be tweaked before the mass production.
- Parts for the 8-Channel Valve Driver chassis have also started to come in. I plan to stuff and assemble one chassis, and see if anything needs to be tweaked before the mass production.
- Parts for the Pier Interface Chassis have also started to come in. I plan to stuff and assemble one chassis, and see if anything needs to be tweaked before the mass production.
- I have re-worked the HAM-ISI schematics to include the new L4C geophones, and have started working on the integrated HEPI-ISI schematics that is divided by chamber.
- I am laying out the board for the STS-2 Distribution Chassis. It will distribute STS-2 signals in real time from one computer to all the others in the Vertex.
- When I'm done with the STS-2 Chassis, I will look at the Pump Servo as the next HEPI deliverable. ~ Ben A.
HAM ISI Design:
- The stage 0 base plate design to add 3 vertical and 3 horizontal L4-C seismometers is complete. We are making minor changes to the optics table at the request of the optics group.
R & D Activities
BSC ISI Design:
- Design: we continue to prepare the BSC-ISI redesign. We are working on the first kick off meetings that will be held on 03/13. Also investigating the possibility to weld some sub assemblies of the stages.
- Testing: we are doing modal testing on stage 1. We try to identify the four modes we can see in the FRF below 100Hz. ~ Fabrice
Suspensions
From: "Greenhalgh, RJS (Justin)" <justin.greenhalgh@stfc.ac.uk>
ALUK held its latest Project Management Committee on 24 Feb 2009 (See LIGO-M0900044-v1). A brief activity summary follows:
RAL:
- OJEU process status as follows:
- Machined items - Deliveries to RAL continue. Quad parts nearly complete.
- Weldments - Continue to liaise closely with manufacturer; current issue is ensuring that RGA testing is being done to LIGO requirements. The vacuum testing kit has been sent to RAL for proving before being returned to the manufacturer.
- Blade springs - Blade manufacture continues – first batch approved.
- Work on BOM well in hand. Several versions have been independently produced and are being cross-checked.
- Glasgow - The fibre welding/hanging rig is complete and a 40kg mass has been suspended from four fibres.
- Birmingham/Strathclyde - Work continues on first batch of 150 production OSEMs. Electronics units for the quad test stand continue to be manufactured and delivered.
- Overall - Steady progress on production of parts and completing remaining procurement and support tasks. The US has undertaken to complete the design, documentation, prototyping and test in preparation for the review of the triple electronics in order to free up effort at Birmingham.
From Janeen Romie and Norna Robertson
(romie_j@ligo-la.caltech.edu, nroberts@ligo.caltech.edu)
Operations Work
- Documentation for the OMC SUS FDR is available (except for an ICD document which is being worked on and will be done shortly) and the reviewers have been chosen. The review is scheduled to conclude by the end of March. We have also been working on interpretation of data taken on damping of the OMC SUS at LLO, and will be getting similar measurements at LHO for comparison.
Project-Funded Activities
- A schedule telecon was held with Carol & Dwight. The ACR for the suspension's schedule revision was signed off. A shipping telecon was held with Project Management and SUS/UK folks to discuss parts shipping procedures. Carol & Rod are going to write a document that will be included in the UK shipments to help the customs process.
- We have been working on another ACR - to adjust budgets for LIGO 1 OSEMs, extra tooling costs, miscellaneous quad costs, storage containers for all suspensions and the triple electronics design work.
- Further schedule discussions are ongoing to replan the fibre pulling work which currently shows pulling done at both observatories. Fibre pulling will be done at LHO and fibres shipped to LLO.
Prestabilized
Laser
From: Peter King <pking@ligo.caltech.edu>
Operations
- After reading last week of the low output power of the 35-W laser in Rana's lab, I looked at the output of the laser. It measured around 8 W. After some re-alignment of the master oscillator output into the amplifier, the power was brought back to 32 W. Most of the adjustments were made in the horizontal plane. I'm am not sure I understand the reasons for such a large adjustment and it might be that the polarisers in the Faraday isolator may have drifted. The epoxy used in these is known to have a problem with humidity.
Project
- The dark current noise of a number of 3mm Gtran photodiodes has been measured. Despite the DC dark current varying by as much as a factor of 10 or more, the dark current noise of all the photodiodes is pretty much the same from 1 to 50 Hz.
- The 200-W Engineering Prototype laser was successfully fired up as a test. The head assemblies were dismantled to allow for some machining modifications to accommodate the pump light diagnostics.
Input Optics
From: David tanner@phys.ufl.edu
Advanced LIGO R&D
- A set of laser-induced thermal lensing measurements of SF57 has been performed at the HPLF at LLO. . Analysis finds that the thermal lensing is in the range of couple of hundred ppm. We have also evaluated Sf57 at various dc power levels in the ring-heater experiment to map the voltage to thermal lensing. (David F., Muzammil, Zach)
- A vacuum system for the long term testing of A-Ligo IMC mirrors is being prepared. (David F.)
Advanced LIGO Design
- We are modifying the Adaptive Optical Element design to accommodate 1cm thick optic. We are also planning the work for the new Solidworks aligo optical layout. (Luke)
Advanced LIGO Procurement
- We are working on polishing specifications for the recycling mirrors.
- Also we inspected the mirror blanks received in first two shipments.
- We awarded the polishing contract for the first IO batch: IMCF, IMCC, F-IMCC and SM. (Rodica)
Core Optics
From: GariLynn Billingsley <Billingsley_G@ligo.caltech.edu>
Project
- We are refining the design of the Ergo Arm based on experience at MIT and LLO.
- Gregg Harry is working on finalizing the Coatings Requirements spreadsheet.
- Rand Dannenberg is populating the Coatings Specifications.
- NSF has approved our polishing procurement.
- Liyuan Zhang has the Casi scatter measurement system up and running with improved sensitivity. He is compiling a library of measurements to use as a basis for future comparisons.
Auxiliary Optics
From: Michael Smith <smith@ligo.caltech.edu>
Work Under Project Budget
OPTICAL LAYOUT:
- Andy Stein has revised the SEI HAM table drawing to provide a set of mounting holes near the edge of the table for mounting the proposed table extension and for mounting the PR3 near the edge of the table in HAM2 and HAM8. Luke is in the process of updating the IO layout for L1 and H1.
Work Under Operations Budget
ETM TELESCOPE SUS:
- Riccardo and K. Mailand determined experimentally that the splayed wire approach does not significantly change the resonant frequency. The simpler approach of changing the pendulum frequency by shortening the magnet suspension wires, by adding a vertical extension to the magnet plate, will be used instead. Ken is building the apparatus and he and Riccardo will test it. We will use Riccardo's original data on the effect of the magnetic gap spacing on the damping factor and do no further testing of gap size. A 3.5 mm gap provides a Q = 13 and appears to be a good value with the sets of four 1/2 inch magnets on each of the four corners (total of 16 magnets).
- Mike is working with Sam Waldman on the layout of the Transmon table.
OPTICAL LEVER:
- Riccardo proposed a concept for a pyramidal optical lever pier made of sheet metal; his goal is that the top of the pier will not amplify the ground motion significantly. He is in the process of writing a first draft of the Optical Lever Conceptual Design doc. Tara is continuing to complete his document on the results of the cavity mirror angular sensitivities. Eric is completing the requirements document.
- Doug is reconfiguring the optical lever test facility at LHO and will have more accurate measurements of the optical lever noise performance next week.
TCS:
- Phil reports that the refit of the TCSY table at LHO was successful. With the new apertures in place before the axicons, the resulting output annulus pattern is now much less sensitive to beam wander of the CO2 laser. In addition, the annulus pattern is much improved as the aperture strips off the junk lobes from the periphery of the laser beam. Refit of the TCS tables at LLO is ongoing, and the TCSX table at LHO will be refit shortly.
OUTPUT FARADAY ISOLATOR:
- Mike and Niem are continiuing to work on the preliminary design of the output Faraday Isolator. Mike is in contact with EOT to purchase a similar Faraday rotator device for use in the Faraday isolator prototype suspension test.
RANA'S BEAM DUMP:
- K. Mailand and Peter K. tested the si substrate with 32 Watt incident laser power and the silicon survived the thermal shock. Riccardo proposed that the silicon should be bonded to the heat sink with a compliant heat transfer film to avoid the potential differential thermal expansion problem between the aluminum back plate and the si wafer.
SUS BLADE TEST:
- Ken had the part measured on a CMM; the RC hardness before baking has been documented, and it is now in the 24 hour oven at 330C. The part will be retested for hardness and checked again dimensionally after bake.
Control and Data Systems
From: Vern Sandberg <sandberg@ligo-wa.caltech.edu>
R&D, ELIGO DAQ, and Operations
LHO:
- We now have the ability to talk to the new TCS/PSL chillers via our serial to ethernet adapters. Modifying GS-13 interface by changing capacitors and resistors to give 15-20 degrees of additional phase in the 20-50 Hz region.
- eLIGO CDS Computing at LHO:
- Porting iLIGO Vxworks/epics3.12 systems to the eLIGO linux/epics3.14 work continues. Plan is to have a farm of linux machines in the MSR, communicating to remote serial devices via the ethernet. Work continues on porting timing comparators, newport motor controllers, and weather stations. The new epics readout of the laser chillers via serial is also being built.
- Work is proceeding to build epics databases via the GDCT graphical tool and to make source systems generic using macro substitution for "*.db" and "*.adl" files at execution time.
- Frame writers using version 8 of framecpp is being installed. This will allow the possibility that the main frame can be compressed.
LLO:
- eLIGO CDS Computing at LLO:
- Solved problem preventing addition of TCS DAC channels for upgrade. Updated EPICS channels for PEM sensor move from ISCT4 to HAM6. Updated conlog to ignore OMC monitor channels. Added ISI checker to standard script crontab.
AdvLIGO Subsystems
LHO:
- Upgrade electrical facility plant for advLIGO.
SEI:
- The parts for the GS-13 Interconnect Cable and Board have come in. Preparations underway to send the rest out for fabrication soon.
- Parts for the STS-2 Interface Chassis, the 8-Channel Valve Driver chassis, and the Pier Interface Chassis have started to come in. We plan to stuff and assemble one chassis of each system and see if anything needs to be tweaked before committing to the mass production.
- Re-worked the HAM-ISI schematics to include the new L4C geophones. Started working on the integrated HEPI-ISI schematics chamber by chamber.
- Laying out the board for the STS-2 Distribution Chassis. It will distribute STS-2 signals in real time from one computer to all the others in the Vertex area.
- When the STS-2 Chassis is completed, the Pump Servo will be the next HEPI deliverable.
SUS:
- Completed design of the Triple suspension low current driver to used for the HAM triple middle stages. The prototype will be fabricated as soon as the account is open.
- Began modeling and design for the triple suspension top stage driver.
- Wrote design requirements document and prepared other documents for the OMC suspension final design review.
- Testing of the prototype Electro-static driver continued. The source of the failure has been pinpointed to an arc over from the channel 4 drive channel to it's heatsink. Failed components are being replaced.
- The test plan for the pre-production quad top driver has been completed. The recently received unit will be tested starting next week. Tests should take about 1 week to complete.
DAQ:
- The prototype IO chassis should be received from Hamilton by the end of the week. Following successful fit checks and testing additional units for the 40 M upgrade will be ordered.
Timing:
- The Sample-clock time distribution system final design review was completed. The review report (T0900032-v1) and acceptance report (L0900035-v1) have been deposited in the DCC.
DC Power:
- Drafting a requirements document and a conceptual design for a prototype test 48V DC distribution system.
ISC:
- Finishing the characterization of the LSC RFPD for the POX experiment, as well as characterizing the new wavefront sensor head we built. So far, the wavefront sensor is working exactly according to design.
TCS:
- Updating the schematics for the TCS changes done at the sites.
For additional
information about this report, contact Albert Lazzarini
