Happy New Year: Glad to be back.

- SUS continuing transfer function measurements on H2 ITMY
- IAS at BSC8 aligning baffles
- H1 PSL flooring crew arrives
- Removing iLIGO piers and cross-beams from HAM2
- Setting MC tubes at H2 output
- UniFirst, Praxair deliveries
- FilibertoC by HAM2, pulling cable

The Control Room is no longer in use as it is being upgraded:

- The daily morning INS meeting is now held in the large OSB Conference Room. Extension 203 will no longer lead you to the INS Meeting.

- The new ops station is across from the Control Room, in the Computer Users Room. There is a roof-cam for deliveries, EPICS alarm handler, MEDM, phones (x202/Gate and x158), an Mac workstation with two monitors and a miniMac with a huge HDTV (will have PIP with roof-cam once we figure that out). If you run Safari on the miniMac (HDTV), you'll see links to see the cameras in the outbuildings. There's still significant fan noise from the Beckhoff SuperMicro rack-mountable test machine and the LDAS tape library. Nevertheless, we are working on damping these noise sources. Eventually, the LDAS tape library will be shut down.

- There is a large CDS antique collection outside of the Control Room for enhancing your productivity at work (not home). Unclaimed items will be discarded.

There were issues with attempting to engage the ITMY M0 and R0 damping filters.  After investigation, the medm filter values for the *COILOUTF_* gains were inconsistent with  earlier changes to these gains. The ITMY M0 and R0 damping filters were last engaged on the LVEA SUS Test Stand with these values just before the BSC8 cartridge install.  Damping functionality can be confirmed with a live dataviewer session displaying the signal damping.

The values have been changed to the following: 

ITMY M0 COILOUTF_*
01/03/2012 before              01/03/2012 AFTER
F1 = -1                        F1 = 1  
F2 = 1                         F2 = 1
F3 = -1                        F3 = -1     
LF = 1                         LF =  -1       
RT = -1                        RT = 1     
SD = 1                         SD =  -1 
--------------------------------------------------
ITMY R0 COILOUTF_*
01/03/2012 before              01/03/2012 AFTER
F1 = -1                        F1 = 1       
F2 = -1                        F2 = 1  
F3 = 1                         F3 = -1   
LF = -1                        LF = 1   
RT = 1                         RT = -1     
SD = 1                         SD =  -1   

(Corey, Eric, Greg, Hugo, Jim)

HAMISI Assy#3

With Assy#3 completing its full suite of Testing, we began prepping this Assy for removal.  First off was removing the Test GS-13s (the locations and serial numbers for these sensors are below).

There were some issues with cables on this assembly in that some of them had single band clamps near the plugs.  Double bands are required for better strain relief and to prevent the cables from coming apart.

HAMISI Assy#1

Actuator Re-alignment & Install

Before disassembling this ISI, Set-Up Bars were installed on the Actuators to maintain their alignment.  Unfortunately, some of the Set-Up Bars weren't torqued down, so we lost their alignment (it was visibly noticeable after we installed them on the re-assemebled Assy#1).  We have since pulled them off and are re-aligning them with the Actuator Alignment Fixture for re-install.

We have maintained location consistency, and the serial #'s/locations of these Actuators are consistent with what was posted in this older elog.

GS-13 Install

The GS13s from Assy#3 were removed, and then put directly on to Assy#1.  We maintained the same locations for both assemblies.  So here is location and S/N info for these Test GS-13s on Assy#1:

• H1: 058
• V1: 049
• H2: 013
• V2: 040
• H3: 068
• V3: 059

I have added in the simulink model the block that enables the interractions between the SUS and the HEPI watchdogs. If the SUS wachdogs trip, HEPI actuation will be stopped.

At midnight (UTC) Dec 31 all H2 front end computers went into a DAQ error state. Their GPS times reset back to Jan 01 2011. This was tracked down to a IOP software error in reading out the IRIG-B card, which was fixed today by a change to tag 2.3.1 RCG. All the H2 IOP systems were recompiled and all front end were power cycled at  approx 13:30. All models were burt restored to 13:00 today.

So all fast front end framed data has been zeroed by the DAQ from 4pm Sat 31st local time to approx 13:30 local time today. Slow channels in the frame were unaffected by this problem.

Attached is a cartoon of the Y-End test stand cartridge alignment monument locations

I've often been confused by the functionality of the "Quick Search" and the "Search Tasks" shortcuts in the top middle of the aLOG home page. Rather, I understand the "Search Tasks" field -- I just think it's functionality is not needed -- and the "Quick search" is not reliable enough at returning good search results to be useful. More accurately, "Quick search" only searches for the entered text as a keyword. 

For example a search for "kissel" doesn't return anything written by me, only the one's to which I've added my name in the text. Another example, if I enter in an aLOG entry number "1933" it returns nothing. 

Conversely, I think the "Search" page has enough versatility that it returns exactly what I want, everytime.

In summary I suggest:
Removal of the "Search Tasks" possibility, and have the "Quick Search" use the user input as all possible search fields (Section/Task, Report ID, Date, Authors, and keywords), if we want to keep the quick search at all.

Summary: I measured particle counts in the Y-manifold and newly-cleaned BSC8, and compared them to levels I measured in 2007. High-activity particulate levels (>0.5um) were about 100/ft^3 in BSC8, down by a factor of  about 10 from 2007, and about  1000/ft^3 in the manifold, unchanged from 2007. After cessation of activity, manifold particulate levels dropped by a factor of 2 approximately every 7 minutes. To prevent activity in the manifolds from contaminating the clean chambers, I suggest using a dam to separate clean and unclean regions and/or selecting purge air ports so that the air flows from  clean BSCs to unclean manifolds.  

In preparation for installing the arm cavity and cryopump baffles, which will require work in the un-cleaned manifolds, I compared in-chamber particle levels for activity in the manifold to levels for activity in BSC8. I did not want my manifold measurements to contaminate clean BSC8, which has the ITM and FM, so I ensured that purge air was flowing out of the Y-manifold where it is open at the gate valve, and my simulated activity took place between the purge air port and the opening at the gate valve. The manifold measurements were made after vacuuming of the manifold. My measurements in BSC8 took place while Travis was unlocking and preparing the quad, which involved a lot of movement and sliding on the chamber floor. 

I took several tens of 1 liter measurements, which are summarized here and compared to measurements taken at the same locations in 2007, here, before the cleaning of BSC8.

                                                          Counts per cubic foot >0.5 micrometers in diameter

                                                       Y-Manifold                              BSC 8

Activity level                             2007        2011                     2007       2011

High (sliding, walking)                         ~1000     ~1000                   ~1000      ~100

Low (careful movement)                                      ~200                     ~150        ~25

The cleaning of BSC8 appears to have reduced particulate levels during heavy work by about an order of magnitude. I also experimented with brushing the chamber wall with my bunny suit. In the manifold I got large pulses of counts (>1000/ft^3) as particles came off the wall, but in BSC8 I got no evident increase in particle levels (~25/ft^3). 

Thus the cleaning of BSC8 was successful but, if we are not careful, the particle load from activities in the manifold may swamp any gains from cleaning BSC8. For the part of the arm cavity baffle installation procedure that requires moving in equipment through the manifold, we plan to install the dam between the manifold and BSC8, with the aperture in the dam mostly blocked with foil in order to reduce the quantity of particles that enter BSC8 from the manifold.

After settling (counts dropped by a factor of 2 in about 7 minutes) we will remove the dam and retrieve the staged equipment from the manifold while trying to minimize scuffing the floor and brushing the walls. I find that I can walk in the manifold and maintain ~100/ft^3 level by not sliding my feet and not brushing the walls.

I also suggest that, where possible, the purge air be set up so that the flow is from clean chambers into the dirty manifolds. This is currently not the case at BSC8 and would require switching purge air ports.

Robert

Kyle, John -> Verified BSC10 annulus volume was vented by opening to atmosphere -> No change in Y-end indicated pressure (as expected since volume had yet to be pumped by aux. cart) -> Stopped pumping BSC6 annulus volume with aux. cart and vented to atmosphere -> Y-end pressure responded by increasing from 7.7 x 10-7 torr to 8.1 x 10-7 torr -> Torqued BSC6 South, West and East door bolts as well as spool bolts -> Y-end pressure responded by returning back to initial value of 7.7 x 10-7 torr.  Resumed pumping BSC6 volume with aux. cart.

Kyle -> Sprayed helium around new feed throughs and conflats on BSC6 and new GNB spool -> signal fell linearly from a starting value of 5.0 x 10-9 torr*L/sec to 1.9 x 10-9 torr*L/sec during period of helium application (this does not mean that these joints "pass" a leak test).

Greg, Dan, Cyrus, Jim, Dave

We have relocated the iLIGO CDS servers to the LDAS server room. Details can be found in the DCC document D1102272.

Services include: old ilog, blue web pages, lho supported wikis (cdswiki, 40m, upconv, iLIGO, mLIGO). Work is in progress to relocate the 40m wiki to Caltech.

We have attempted to retain the old URLs to make the transition transparent. These systems are now read-only and are not being backed up beyond this point of time.

please email any suggestions/problems to david.barker@LIGO.ORG

In anticipation of putting the Arm Cavity Baffle on to the ISI Stage0, we've put the HEPI (and entire Cartridge) on stops at the HEPI Crossbeam Foot.  This lifted the assembly 1 to 2 mils (.001-.002") monitoring the dial indicators.  We also brought in the out board stops (facing inward) on each Foot just to further constrain the position.
In case I don't make it back after the new year please don't forget.  GregG knows the story and where the numbers are recorded.

*** Please don't disturb the dial indicators at the Support Tube ends ***

Once the ACB is mounted up, we'll lift the load off the set screws, back them out of the way and set the payload back where it started.

This week we have been decommissioning the iLIGO H1 systems in the MSR and control room. The iligo DAQ is now powered down, all legacy VE, FMCS and slow PEM have been transitioned to the new H2 DAQ. All but the legacy computers and networking gear have been removed from the MSR (see photo). The archival iLIGO services (ilog, blue, wiki) are being relocated to the LDAS server rooom and will run in read-only mode to support S6 and squeezer data analysis.

(Chris K., Corey, Randy, Zach)

HAM3

With every thing staged and ready to go a couple of days go for HAM3 SEI Stack extraction, the Apollo crew and I made quick work of extraction this morning.  Our goal was to remove iLIGO SEI hardware (above Support Table), and keep the Optics Table and Masses clean.  We did this work in roughly 2hrs (8-10am).  Both doors were off of this chamber and everything was pulled out the West Siiide.  Nothing new here. 

The Optics Table is currently in the South Bay next to the HAM1 Table near the H1 Racks.  The Leg Element (masses) are on a pair of pallets nearby.  Other hardware is dirty and in a tub on top of the Optics Table. 

I believe the Apollo crew will install the doors this afternoon.

All photos of work at the HAM3 De-install Colection at:  https://ligoimages.mit.edu/?c=897

HAM2

Since there was access to HAM2 & I had a tool, I went into HAM2 to disconnect all cabling from feedthrus.

BSC2

Additionally, since I was in-chamber, I went ahead and did some work in BSC2.  Here's what I did:

• Disconnected cables from the feed-thru. 
• Removed all counterweights ("hockey pucks") from the table (this was ~260lbs). 
• Removed the POX (pick off of ITMx) & POY (pick off of ITMy) mirrors. 

The POX & POY mirrors are currently in a nearby mini-cleanroom on a "clean" table and have a layer of foil on them.  Not sure whether or not we need to keep these guys clean (sent out emails asking).

The counterweights, screws and Pick Off mirror dog clamps are all outside HAM3 on the ground.

Oh, I accidentally left a 3/16" allen wrench in BSC2 on one of the Beam Dumps (aka "cornucopias").  I didn't go back in to get it since we won't be pumping down this volume any time soon.

So, the only items on the BSC2 Optics Table are the BS Suspension & the cables/bracket on the table.  See attached photo of the Table.

Photos of BSC2 (and also some from BSC8) are at:  https://ligoimages.mit.edu/?c=898

  All of the CPS are within 3000 counts of zero, and their locked position which is good enough for testing.

EricA, GregG, RichM, CoreyG

Yesterday while IAS was dialing in their instruments, we did a minor level tweak looking at the ISI Optical Table with the HEPI Springs.  We (Jim & I)had seem .530mrad on 12 Dec and today we lowered that as best we could.  I'll say it is perfect but it looked a bit saddled about on the scale of the manufacturing tolerances.  My observances are flat +-.004" or +-.1mm.  We might be looking over 1.5m of the table for a level to about 1.4mrad.  This sounds out of spec but I don't think it can be improved given what I see of the table shape.

Late yesterday IAS gave us a position of 1.6mm -X and 2.4mm +Y of nominal.  We moved this with the HEPI Springs in four steps totaling about 1-3/4 turns on the 3/4-20 Spring threads.  We made direct translations first North (+X), then East (-Y), East again, and finally North.  This put us well within spec.
We then did a small tweak up to the Optical Table Level again dropping the NW corner and raising the SE <0.2mm each.
With the table as level as we can get, SUS freed the optic and we got it quiet enough for a YAW shot after Travis pulled down the top edge of the First Contact.  IAS saw a rotation of 1.29mrad CW.  We broke for lunch.
After lunch with new found courage and Eric's calibrated wrench arm, we made a CCW rotation in three steps turning the 3/4-20 thread 1-1/12 turns.  IAS has done another final round and I'll let them post those results but I believe we are still good in our elevation, translational position as well as the yaw position.

Thanks Crew!

Used HEPI static adjustments today to adjust horizontal position and fine tune longitudinal position of the ITMy.  After, ITMy was fully released from stops, yaw was measured at 1.29 mrad clockwise (direction given assuming a top-down view).  HEPI static adjustment was used to correct for this yaw error, then horizontal, vertical, and longitudinal position was measured again to check for any changes caused by the yaw adjustment; pitch was also measured.  The ITMy is currently sitting:

• Horizontal: 0.35 mm South
  • Within ±1 mm spec
• Vertical: 0.3 mm high
  • Within ±1 mm spec
• Longitudinal: 0.4 mm West
  • Well within ±3 mm spec
• Yaw: 50 µrad CW
  • Within ±160 µrad spec for HEPI adjustment, will be fine tuned to final ±10 µrad spec at a later date
• Pitch: 461 µrad up
  • Spec is ±160 µrad, will need to adjust

IAS has temporarily moved out of the spool piece area (except for one piece of equipment which is in critical alignment and roped off with caution tape; please DO NOT TOUCH) to allow SLC to install the ACB in BSC 08 on Thursday.

Will add bellows tie-rods between BSC6 and BSC10 tomorrow and continue pump down.  BSC6 stand is not grouted yet.  Tie-rods will share horizontal load to additional anchors.

The air-bake oven in the LSB optics lab has had a new controller installed. The controller is capable of handling ramp and soak functions. Large changes to the oven (opening or closing the flue, etc.) will now need the autotune process after the change has been made if an accurate temperature ramping is desired. More info can be found here: Omega Manual. The controller can run a program with 30 setpoints to ramp and soak at different rates and hold times.

Attached is a graph of a ramp up from 40 to 70 degrees in 30 minutes that was run as a test. I will attach a more detailed report to this when it is finished, but if anyone would like to use that oven I will be more than happy to give a run down on how to set it up. This controller really suffers from a Blinking 12 problem.

Also attached is the modified wiring schematic that represents what is now in use for the oven. As you can see the controller will stay on even with the power switch off. This is how I intended it to be, the fan and heater will be de-energized by the switch still.