ID |
Date |
Author |
Type |
Category |
Subject |
2234
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Wed Nov 11 09:48:04 2009 |
steve | Update | IOO | where is IOO-RFAMPD_DCMON ? |
RFAMPD_DCMON disappered on Nov 5, 2009 |
Attachment 1: rfampddc.jpg
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2248
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Thu Nov 12 09:43:29 2009 |
steve | Update | PEM | construction has started at CES |
The concrete floor cutting has begun next door at CES |
Attachment 1: cuttingconcr.jpg
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Attachment 2: cutcon1.JPG
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Attachment 3: cutcon2.JPG
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2272
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Mon Nov 16 09:37:41 2009 |
steve | Update | PEM | construction is getting noisier |
ATM1: Seismometers are saturating, suspensions are OK
Atm2 : activity next door, diesel Backhoe and diesel concrete cutter are running
Atm3: CES exhaust fans output is pick up by 40M-Annex-North AC unit intake. The 40m office room has some diesel smell...........see # 2377 |
Attachment 1: 4hces.png
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Attachment 2: P1050734.JPG
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Attachment 3: P1050736.JPG
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2297
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Thu Nov 19 09:25:19 2009 |
steve | Update | MOPA | water was added to the laser chiller |
I added ~500 cc of distilled water to the laser chiller yesterday. |
Attachment 1: htempwtr.png
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2298
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Thu Nov 19 09:48:54 2009 |
steve | Update | PEM | construction effect |
8 days plot: Thurdsay, Friday, Sat and Sun without construction |
Attachment 1: varseism.png
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2312
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Mon Nov 23 10:11:03 2009 |
steve | Update | PEM | long term temp fluctuation of the 40m lab |
Quote: |
This first plot shows the RC temperature channels' performance from 40 days ago, before we disabled the MINCO PID controller. Although RCTEMP is supposed to be the out of loop sensor, what we really care about is the cavity length and so I've plotted the SLOW. To get the SLOW on the same scale, I've multiplied the channel by 10 and then adjusted the offset to get it on the same scale.
The second plot shows a period after that where there is no temperature control of the can at all. Same gain scaling has been applied to SLOW as above, so that instead of the usual 1 GHz/V this plot shows it in 0.1 GHz/V.
The third plot shows it after the new PID was setup.
Summary: Even though the PID loop has more gain, the true limit to the daily fluctuations in the cavity temperature and the laser frequency are due to the in-loop sensors measuring the wrong thing. i.e. the out-of-loop temperature is too different from the in-loop sensor. This can possibly be cured with better foam and better placement of the temperature sensors. Its possible that we're now just limited by the temperature gradients on the can.
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Here is a 7 years plot of of the 40m temperature variations. |
Attachment 1: 7ytemp.jpg
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2313
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Mon Nov 23 11:03:00 2009 |
steve | Update | SUS | jackhammer special well under control |
Quote: |
I've changed the watchdog rampdown script so it brings the SUS watchdogs to 220, instead of the 150 it previously targeted. This is to make tripping less likely with the jackhammering going on next door. I've also turned off all the oplev damping.
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Saturday's special event of braking up the large concrete pieces in CES bay was un event full. |
Attachment 1: dig10d.png
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Attachment 2: P1050740.JPG
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2314
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Mon Nov 23 16:28:12 2009 |
steve | Summary | Cameras | Video swicher options |
Quote: |
Steve is summarizing the Video Matrix choices into this Wiki page:
http://lhocds.ligo-wa.caltech.edu:8000/40m/Electronics/VideoMUX
Requirements:
Price: < 5k$
Control: RS-232 and Ethernet
Interface: BNC (Composite Video)
Please check into the page on Monday for a final list of choices and add comments to the wiki page.
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Composite video matrix switchers with 32 BNC in and 32 BNC channels out are listed. |
2370
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Wed Dec 9 09:07:32 2009 |
steve | Update | PEM | high seismic activity |
The construction activity is shaking the tables in the control room. The compactor- large remote controlled jackhammer is in the bottom of the 16-17 ft deep hole 15 ft east of ITMY in CES bay. The suspensions are holding OK. PRM, MC1 and MC3 are effected mostly. |
Attachment 1: seis24d.png
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Attachment 2: seis4h.png
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Attachment 3: P1050833.JPG
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Attachment 4: P1050836.JPG
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2377
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Thu Dec 10 08:43:25 2009 |
steve | Frogs | Environment | diesel fumes are less |
Quote: |
Instead of doing RCG stuff, I went to Millikan to work on data analysis as I couldn't stand the fumes from the construction. (this morning, 8am)
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Diesel fumes are pumped away from control room AC intakes with the help of newly installed reflector boxes on the CES wall fans.........see # 2272 |
Attachment 1: P1050817.JPG
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2388
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Thu Dec 10 16:51:35 2009 |
steve | Update | VAC | pumpdown will start tomorrow morning |
The vacuum system is at 760 torr All chambers with doors on and their annuloses are pumped down.
PSL output shutter is still closed. We are fully prepared to star slow pump down tomorrow.
The plan is to reach 1 torr ~ in 6 hrs without a creating a sand storm. |
2394
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Fri Dec 11 08:35:04 2009 |
steve | Configuration | VAC | pumpdown has started |
Oplev positions before and after drag wiped arm TMs as of yesterday. Slow-mode pumpdown has started with 3/4 turn opened RV1 valve at 8am today. |
Attachment 1: wiping.jpg
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2400
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Fri Dec 11 15:21:40 2009 |
steve | Configuration | VAC | pumpdown#67 is completed |
Quote: |
Oplev positions before and after drag wiped arm TMs as of yesterday. Slow-mode pumpdown has started with 3/4 turn opened RV1 valve at 8am today.
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Pump down is completed. Valve configuration is VACUUM NORMAL. CC1 pressure is in the ~8 e-5 torr PSL output shutter is opened. |
Attachment 1: pd7h.jpg
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Attachment 2: oplevpd8h.jpg
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2409
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Mon Dec 14 11:21:23 2009 |
steve | Omnistructure | Environment | Ants in the coffee maker |
We still had some ants visiting the sink area this morning. These ants seem to be addicted to our our Peet's coffe
Spectracide: Bug Stop insect killer was sprayed. Please wash your eating dishes well ! and keep area clean.
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2439
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Mon Dec 21 08:16:54 2009 |
steve | Metaphysics | PEM | jackhammering next door |
At ITMX, on the CES side, 5 Ft from the wall the jackhammer is on. The susses are holding well. |
2443
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Tue Dec 22 10:04:41 2009 |
steve | Omnistructure | PEM | miracle in the 40m |
We have been waiting for this for 20 some years. Arrowhead water with cooler. AWESOME
THANKS Alan |
Attachment 1: h2oo.JPG
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2466
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Wed Dec 30 09:57:53 2009 |
steve | Update | PSL | thirsty water chiller |
I added 600 cc of Arrowhead Distilled Water to the chiller.
60 days plot shows that about every ~ 10 days I have to add some.
Please check the water level yourself. |
Attachment 1: htemp60d.png
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2482
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Wed Jan 6 16:48:52 2010 |
steve | Bureaucracy | SAFETY | copied NPRO key |
We lost our key to the Lightwave 125/6-OPN-PS The key shop just made one look a like that works. |
Attachment 1: nprokey.JPG
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2489
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Fri Jan 8 18:20:12 2010 |
steve | Metaphysics | Treasure | Rob now can concentrate on his thesis |
We are celebrating Rob's promotion to thesis poetry. These pictures were taken on December 9, 2009
Rob has finished all his measurements in the lab and is officially well prepared to graduate.
 
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2507
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Tue Jan 12 09:14:52 2010 |
steve | Summary | General | Scattering Measurements of 35W Beam Dumps |
What was the power level, polarization and beam size at beam trap? |
2511
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Tue Jan 12 14:28:01 2010 |
steve | Summary | Environment | lab temp of 7 years |
Quote: |
Quote: |
Rana noticed that recently the temperature inside the lab has been a little bit too high. That might be causing some 'unease' to the computers with the result of making them crash more often.
Today I lowered the temperature of the three thermostats that we have inside the lab by one degree:
Y arm thermostat: from 71 to 70 F
X arm thermostat: from 70 to 69 F
Aisle thermostat: from 72 to 71 F.
For the next hours I'll be paying attention to the temperature inside the lab to make sure that it doesn't go out of control and that the environment gets too cold.
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Today the lab is perceptibly cooler.
The temperature around the corner is 73 F.
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Attachment 1: labtemp7y.png
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2556
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Mon Feb 1 18:33:10 2010 |
steve | Update | MOPA | Ve half the lazer! |
The 2W NPRO from Valera arrived today and I haf hidden it somewere in the 40m lab!
Rana was so kind to make this entry for me |
Attachment 1: inno2w.JPG
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Attachment 2: inno2Wb.JPG
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2561
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Tue Feb 2 16:10:09 2010 |
steve | Update | PEM | construction progress next door |
CES construction is progressing. The 40m suspensions are bearing well.
atm1, PEM vs sus plots of 120 days
atm2, big pool walls are in place, ~10 ft east of south arm
atm3, 10 ft east of ITMY
atm4, ~60 ft east of ITMY
atm5, cold weather effect of N2 evaporator tower |
Attachment 1: pem120d.jpg
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Attachment 2: 02022010.JPG
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Attachment 3: 02022010b.JPG
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Attachment 4: 02022010c.JPG
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Attachment 5: icewall.JPG
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2565
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Wed Feb 3 07:57:01 2010 |
steve | Update | PSL | PMC transmission is low |
The low PMC transmission alarm was on this morning. The PMC alignment needs a touch up. |
Attachment 1: pmct40d.jpg
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2568
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Wed Feb 3 11:13:15 2010 |
steve | Configuration | General | planed power outage for Sat. Feb 20 |
The electrical shop has to connect the new power transformer at CES. This means we will have no AC power for ~8 hrs on Saturday, February 20
Is this date good for us to power down ALL equipment in the lab?
Rana: Yes |
2573
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Fri Feb 5 11:01:49 2010 |
steve | Configuration | VAC | slow pumpdown valve |
I have installed a slow start throttle valve in front of V3 This spring loaded valve will cut down on the flow at high pressures. There will be no more sand storme
and static built-up during pump down. |
Attachment 1: slow.JPG
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2585
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Wed Feb 10 16:27:47 2010 |
steve | Configuration | General | IFO beam heights |
IN VACUUM beam heights are ALL 5.5" This is measured from the top of the optical table to the center of all TMs, mirrors and other optical components. This beam is ~36" above the floor.
PSL (inside of enclosure) main-output beam: PMC, MZ, RC and ISS are at 3" heights. IOO Angle & Position, MC-Trans and RFAM qpds are at 4"
ALL OTHER beam heights at atmosphere and different ISCT (interferrometer sensing, control optical table)s are at 4"
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2589
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Thu Feb 11 15:53:59 2010 |
steve | Configuration | VAC | PSL output shutter is closed |
Joe and Alex are working on the computers. Our vacuum system is temporary "All off" condition: meaning all valves are closed, so there is no pumping. cc1 = 1.6e-6 Torr |
2592
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Thu Feb 11 18:53:57 2010 |
steve | Configuration | VAC | VAC NORMAL is back |
Quote: |
Joe and Alex are working on the computers. Our vacuum system is temporary "All off" condition: meaning all valves are closed, so there is no pumping. cc1 = 1.6e-6 Torr
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Designated vacuum control lap top is trouble some to use. Joe finally fixed it and I switched valve configuration back to vacuum normal. Shutter is open |
2612
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Thu Feb 18 10:10:43 2010 |
steve | Configuration | General | 480 V AC power turned off |
Only the 40m cranes are running on 480VAC The electricians are rewiring this transformer on the mezzanine so it was shut down.
I tested all three cranes before the 480V power was turned off. The last thing to do with the cranes to wipe them down before use.
It will happen on next Tuesday morning. |
2632
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Tue Feb 23 14:56:24 2010 |
steve | Update | General | ETMX optical table mass |
Our janitor dropped one 48" long fluorescent tube on the top cover of ETMX-isct. This accident made glasses fly all over the place.
He cleaned up nicely, but please beware of small glass pieces around ETMX chamber.
We did not clean up on the table in order to reserve oplev and green ITMX pointing alignment.
Plot below shows that the alignment was not effected.
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Attachment 1: etmxmass.jpg
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2633
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Tue Feb 23 16:20:44 2010 |
steve | Configuration | VAC | outgassing + leak |
Quote: |
As preparation for the upcoming planned power outage we turned turbos, RGA off and closed valves.
IFO chamber is not pumped now. Small leaks and out gassing will push the pressure up slowly. At 3 mTorr of P1 the PSL output shutter
will be closed by the interlock.
It is OK to use light in the IFO up to this point.
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Our vacuum was not pumped for 4 days. The computers were not up when we started pumping again. The manual reading on P1 was 15 mTorr.
This means that our outgassing plus leakrate is ~3.8 mTorr /day
3-5 mTorr / day is normal |
Attachment 1: outgleak.jpg
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2644
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Fri Feb 26 15:32:13 2010 |
steve | Configuration | VAC | preparation for power outage: vacuum all off |
There is a planned power outage tomorrow, Saturday from 7am till midnight.
I vented all annulies and switched to ALL OFF configuration. The small region of the RGA is still under vacuum.
The vac-rack: gauges, c1vac1 and UPS turned off. |
Attachment 1: ventd3.jpg
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2647
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Mon Mar 1 08:49:37 2010 |
steve | Bureaucracy | SAFETY | safety audit |
The 40m safety audit will be at Wednesday afternoon, March 3
Please participate getting our lab to inspection grade safety level. |
2648
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Mon Mar 1 11:21:50 2010 |
steve | Configuration | VAC | vacuum contoller is back to normal |
Quote: |
There is a planned power outage tomorrow, Saturday from 7am till midnight.
I vented all annulies and switched to ALL OFF configuration. The small region of the RGA is still under vacuum.
The vac-rack: gauges, c1vac1 and UPS turned off.
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Vac- rack is powered back up. UPS first, than all other power switches from top to bottom of the rack, except Maglev
Manually started one by one TP2 and TP3 to accelerate to 50 KRPM
Brought up vac.control screen on lap-top at /cvs/cds/caltech/medm/c0/ve/VacControl_BAK.adl
V5 and VM3 were opened so TP3 can pump on the RGA
V4 was opened so TP2 can pump on the Maglev-TP1. The Maglev power was turned on and started acceleration.
The vac control screen positions indicators were checked for true position and annulies vent valves were opened.
RGA manual on/off switch was turned at the top of the RGA-head. Ubuntu copmuter was started at cc4 1.1e-6 Torr
The RGA communication was started with: ssh c0rga from control room
The rga-script was started ./RGAset.py This script turns on the filament, rs-232 and scan parameters etc
Vac -configuration: IFO-P1 at atm, RGA is pumped and running in background mode, all annulos at atm
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2658
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Fri Mar 5 11:21:18 2010 |
steve | Update | SUS | used OSEMs are magnetic |
Quote: |
Jenne and Koji
We successfully hung ITMX on the SOS. Side magnet is ~2mm off from the center of the OSEM. ITMX aligned using the QPD. The OSEMs changes the alignment. It looks that something magnetic is inside the OSEM PD or LED.
Reguled ITMY side magnet.
Cleaned up the lab for the safety inspection.
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The brand new OSEM LED and PD can be picked up with a weak magnet. These ferrous metals of LEDs and PDs will be magnetized by sitting in the sus next to the
magnets for years. I hanged optics with new OSEMs and never saw this effect before.
We have to demagnetize them. |
2663
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Tue Mar 9 09:04:20 2010 |
steve | Update | PEM | keep vacuum chamber closed |
They are sandblasting at CES: our particle counts are very high. DO NOT OPEN CHAMBER! |
Attachment 1: sandblasting.jpg
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2667
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Thu Mar 11 15:24:51 2010 |
steve | Metaphysics | Environment | IFO was well protected |
Quote: |
There is a planned power outage tomorrow, Saturday from 7am till midnight.
I vented all annulies and switched to ALL OFF configuration. The small region of the RGA is still under vacuum.
The vac-rack: gauges, c1vac1 and UPS turned off.
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It turns out that we perfecly timed the big one
In the process of finding the signal of the big chilean earthquake I just realized that we were all off |
2670
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Fri Mar 12 17:08:22 2010 |
steve | Configuration | VAC | bg-RGAscan at d18 |
RGA scan of rga-region only at day 18 This is the back ground of the rga with some calibration gas. |
Attachment 1: bg-d18_20100312scan.png
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2673
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Mon Mar 15 09:43:47 2010 |
steve | Update | PEM | more sandblasting today |
Do not open IFO vacuum envelope today! They are sandblasting again at CES |
2674
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Mon Mar 15 16:39:36 2010 |
steve | Update | PEM | Guralp2 centered |
Quote: |

Guralp 2 centered.The mass position offsets are: E-W 0.05V, N-S 0V, Z 0.4V
Guralp 1: E-W -0.1V, N-S -0.25V, Z 0V measured, not adjusted
The GUR2_X channel has an offset. See plot below when seismometers are disconnected. This offset has to be removed.
NOTE: this huddle is on bad-soft ground-lenoleum tile from prehistoric Flintstone age
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Attachment 1: grlp2ffst.jpg
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2677
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Tue Mar 16 09:37:30 2010 |
steve | Update | SUS | eq 4.4 seen by oplevs and osems |
The oplev plots clearly show the alignment effect of this eq. |
Attachment 1: opleveq4.4.jpg
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Attachment 2: eq4.4.jpg
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Attachment 3: opleveq4.4d3.jpg
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2678
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Thu Mar 18 08:49:51 2010 |
steve | Update | PEM | Guralp2 centered again ? |
Someone adjusted the Guralp2 mass position last night??
NO |
Attachment 1: grlp2xadj.jpg
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2694
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Mon Mar 22 11:37:09 2010 |
steve | Update | PEM | jackhammering |
There was more jackhammering this morning just about 20 ft north-west of the beamsplitter chamber, outside. |
Attachment 1: jackhammering2.jpg
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2699
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Tue Mar 23 09:37:36 2010 |
steve | Update | IOO | vac envelope has to be sealed as antproof for overnight |
Quote: |
This is the first touch to the MC mirrors after the earthquake on 16th.
- I made an aluminum access connector so that we can work on the MC even the door is open. We still can be able to open the aluminum tube. The photos are attached. Steve, could you please look it at a glance whether the seal is enough or not.
- MC resonances were flashing. Align MC2 and MC3 so that we have many TEM00s.
- Found c1vmesus2 gone mad. Restarted remotely according to the wiki entry.
- Reset the MC coil output matrix to 1. (Previously, balance was adjusted so that A2L was minimized.)
- Excite MC2 Pitch/Yaw at 8 and 9 Hz, looking at the peaks in the MC-MCL output. Move MC2 Pitch/Yaw so that the peak
is reduced. (*)
- MC1/MC3 were aligned so that we get the maximum transmission (or minimum reflection). (**)
- Repeat (*) and (**)
So far, I have aligned in Yaw such that the yaw peak is minimized.
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This seal is good for daily use- operation only. The IFO has to be sealed with light metal doors every night so ants and other bugs can not find their way in.
Our janitor Kevin is mopping the hole IFO room floor area with 5% ant killing solution in water in order to discourage bugs getting close to our openings of the vented chamber.
You may be sensitive to this chemical too. Do not open chamber till after lunch. |
Attachment 1: pc3.JPG
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Attachment 2: pc4.JPG
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2701
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Tue Mar 23 10:11:13 2010 |
steve | Update | PEM | small air cond unit failed yesterday |
Old control room air condition failed yesterday around noon. It was blowing 80-85F hot air for about 2-3 hours at racks 1Y4-7 and the entry room 103 |
Attachment 1: 20datm.jpg
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2713
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Thu Mar 25 09:07:08 2010 |
steve | Update | PEM | Guralp2 x problem is back |
Quote: |
I went and double-checked and aligned the styrofoam cooler at ~5:00 UTC. It was fine, but we really need a better huddling box. Where's that granite anyway?
Here's the new Huddle Test output. This time I show the X-axis since there's some coherence now below 0.1 Hz.
You'll also notice that the Wiener filter is now beating the FD subtraction. This happened when I increased the # of taps to 8000. Looks like the noise keeps getting lower as I increase the number of taps, but this is really a kind of cheat if you think about it carefully.
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The same thing happening again. The intermittent offset upstream of the seismometer that never got fixed.
The granite plate and ball bearings are in. I will place seismometers on it. |
Attachment 1: grlp2xproblm.jpg
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2716
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Fri Mar 26 10:48:35 2010 |
steve | Update | SAFETY | safety glasses measured |
Safety glasses 1064 nm transmission measured at ~200 mW level. They are all good. |
Attachment 1: P1060188.JPG
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Attachment 2: P1060199.JPG
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2742
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Wed Mar 31 15:31:53 2010 |
steve | Update | PSL | Reference Cavity RF PD base upgraded |
Quote: |
Some more words about the RFAM: I noticed that there was an excess RFAM by unlocking the RC and just looking at the RF out with the 50 Ohm input of the scope. It was ~100 mVp-p! In the end our method to minimize the AM was not so sensible - we aligned the waveplate before the EOM so as to minimize the p-pol light transmitted by the PBS cube just ahead of the AOM. At first, this did not minimize the RFAM. But after I got angry at the bad plastic mounting of the EOM and re-aligned it, the AM seemed to be small with the polarization aligned to the cube. It was too small to measure on the scope and on the spectrum analyzer, the peak was hopping around by ~10-20 dB on a few second timescale. Further reduction would require some kind of active temperature stabilization of the EOM housing (maybe a good SURF project!).
For the EOM mount we (meaning Steve) should replace the lame 2-post system that's in there with one of the mounts of the type that is used in the Mach-Zucker EOMs. I think we have spare in the cabinet next to one of the arms. 
After the RFAM monkeying, I aligned the beam to the RC using the standard, 2-mirror, beam-walking approach. You can see from the attached plot that the transmission went up by ~20% ! And the reflection went down by ~30%. I doubt that I have developed any new alignment technique beyond what Yoichi and I already did last time. Most likely there was some beam shape corruption in the EOM, or the RFAM was causing us to lock far off the fringe. Now the reflected beam from the reference cavity is a nice donut shape and we could even make it better by doing some mode matching! This finally solves the eternal mystery of the bad REFL beam (or at least sweeps it under the rug).
At the end, I also fixed the alignment of the RFPD. It should be set so the incident angle of the beam is ~20-40 deg, but it was instead set to be near normal incidence ?! Its also on flimsy plastic legs. Steve, can you please replace this with the new brass ones?
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Teflon feet removed and heavy brass-delrin pd base installed. Ref-cavity reflected light remains to be beautiful doughnut shape on camera. |
Attachment 1: brspdbs.JPG
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2743
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Wed Mar 31 16:31:44 2010 |
steve | Update | PEM | Guralp interface box turned off |
Quote: |
Quote: |
I went and double-checked and aligned the styrofoam cooler at ~5:00 UTC. It was fine, but we really need a better huddling box. Where's that granite anyway?
Here's the new Huddle Test output. This time I show the X-axis since there's some coherence now below 0.1 Hz.
You'll also notice that the Wiener filter is now beating the FD subtraction. This happened when I increased the # of taps to 8000. Looks like the noise keeps getting lower as I increase the number of taps, but this is really a kind of cheat if you think about it carefully.
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The same thing happening again. The intermittent offset upstream of the seismometer that never got fixed.
The granite plate and ball bearings are in. I will place seismometers on it.
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Attachment 1: grlpntrfcbxoff.jpg
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