Today we started re-configuring the vacuum chamber components.

Particle count
• 10:45 am : Starting the particle count in the clean room.
• 11:13 am : Finished the particle count in the clean room.
• Zone 3 :
  • 0.3 u: 2535
  • 0.5 u: 1413
  • 1.0 u: 789
• Zone 4 :
  • 0.3 u: 457
  • 0.5 u: 290
  • 1.0 u: 207
  Starting the reconfiguration.
  • 11:21 am: Started removing up-to-air valve
  • 11:30 am: Finished removing up-to-air valve.
  • 11:33 am: Started removing calibrated Ar Leak and the elbow.
  • 11:35 am: Finished removing calibrated Ar Leak and started assembling the up-to-air valve.
  • 11:47 am: Finished assembling up-to-air valve.
  • 11:48 am: Started removing magnetron gauge.
  • 11:55 am: Finished removing magnetron gauge.
  • 11:57 am: Started installing the elbow and calibrated Ar Leak and started removing the RGA probe
  • 12:13 pm: Finished installing the elbow and calibrated Ar Leak.
  • 12:20 pm: Break for lunch.
  • 01:25 pm: Come back from lunch break.
  • 01:30 pm: Started removing RGA line.
  • 01:39 pm: Finished removing RGA line.
  • 01:39 pm: Started removing gate valve [RGA line] and finished removing gate valve.
  • 02:00 pm: Started installing gate valve in the new position.
  • 02:08 pm: Fished installing gate valve [RGA line].
  • 02:09 pm: Checked the screws in the elbow to gate valve. [RGA line].
  • 02:28 pm: Finished checking the screws in the elbow to gate valve [RGA line].
  • 02:29 pm: Started installing RGA line.
  • 02:39 pm: Finished installing RGA line.
  • 02:50 pm: Started installing magnetron gauge.(In this part we assembled gauge with the used gasket)
  • 03:02 pm: Finished installing magnetron gauge.
  • 03:04 pm: Started installing RGA probe [RGA line].
  • 03:13 pm: Finished installing RGA probe [RGA line].
  • 03:15 pm: Connected the cables to the magnetron gauge.
  • 03:20 pm: Started the testing in the vacuum chamber.
  • 04:30 pm: Started installing the RGA 200 and connected the cables (power cable and DB9 cable).
  • 04:52 pm: Finished installing the RGA 200 and connected the cables (power cable and DB9 cable).
  • 04:53 pm: Started testing the RGA connections. Logrus is able to recognize and connect to RGA unit. We are leaving the turbo pump on for a few hours before checking back for pressure readouts.
  • 05:00 pm : Starting the particle count in the clean room.
    1. Zone 3 :
       • 0.3 u: 2244
       • 0.5 u: 997
       • 1.0 u: 207
    2. Zone 4 :
       • 0.3 u: 2993
       • 0.5 u: 1579
       • 1.0 u: 498
  • 05:30 pm : Finished the particle count in the clean room.
  • 05:34 pm: Test pressure readout from the gauges.
    1. Channel 1 : 1.06E-5 mbar
    2. Channel 2 :8.89E-6 mbar
    3. Channel 3 :5.0E-4 mbar
  • 05:59 pm: Test pressure readout from the gauges.
    1. Channel 1: 9.09E-6 mbar
    2. Channel 2: 7.75E-6 mbar
    3. Channel 3: 5.0E-4 mbar

[Luis, Luke]

RGA Volume: T = 22°C, P = 2.10e-9 Torr
Main Volume: T = 21°C, P = 5.71e-9 Torr

Measurements of the current state of the vacuum systems were taken today, now that the system had reached UHV status, the results are attached bellow. The first plot overlays the data of the empty chamber taken on 12/16/24 before inserting the MR material, and the data of the system today, with the MR inside. The second plot displays the S/N Ratio of the system. The last plot displays the data of the system with the Ar leak open and closed. Notice that it is common for the Ar leak close data to fail due to the calculation of the gas flux per unit ion current, which is dependent on the Ar peak.

[Luis, Luke]

The MR material was placed in the vacuum chamber following standard procedures to ensure the vacuum remained as clean as possible. During this process, we only opened the main volume while keeping the gate valve between the two volumes closed to maintain the UHV in the RGA section.

An RGA scan was taken before this process, this will be used to compare the state of the vacuum with the sample inside to determine whether the MR material is vacuum compatible.

[Luis, Luke]

RGA Volume: T = 23°C, P = 3.0e-9 Torr
Main Volume: T = 22°C, P = 9.90e-9 Torr

After letting the vacuum cool down for a couple days, we reattached the magnets and sensors, then we performed a RGA scan of the vacuum system, now containing the MR sample. The results are attached below. Something to notice is that we are technically not under UHV, though Luke and I believe the reading of the sensor is not completely accurate since it was still coming to a steady state, further test will be performed when the physics building is open again.

[Luke, Luis]

On Friday, 11/1/24, the MR was unpackaged and cleaned under the flow bench. We noticed an ink stain on one of the corners of the material. After wiping it down with IPA and Vector Alpha wipes, the stain was removed. However, the material showed some wear.

After cleaning, we placed it in the bake station and applied a stainless steel baking protocol. On Tuesday, 11/4/24, the material was removed from the furnace and packaged in a static shielding bag. The MR was wrapped in Vector Alpha wipes.

• Hosted Lukes model on Chimay. It's available at https://richardsonlab.ucr.edu/real-time-frosti
• The sourcecode is at Github. It is clones at /var/www/html/real-time-frosti, and this is the block added to nginx config file at /etc/nginx/sites-available/default :
  
  location /real-time-frosti {

root /var/www/html;
index index.html index.htm index.php;
}
• Also added this line to the crontab, so the code will be checked for updated from the sourcecode every five minutes. 
  
  */5 * * * * cd /var/www/html/real-time-frosti/ && git pull 
  
  
• TODO: Move the sourcecode from Github to git.ligo.org, and make the repository public. 

[Luke, Luis]

After the gasket replacement performed on Monday (11/18/24) we let the vacuum pump down to UHV pressure for a couple days. Today (11/20/24) we measured the pressure to be 5.30*e^-9 with a temperature of 22C, and we performed a leak test and RGA Scan.

Here are the results:

Chamber temperature: 23C

Chamber Initial Pressure: ~1.8e-8 main, ~3.5e-8 rga

Did another leak test after monday's work to check how the seal was holding up initial leak was 5.5e-9. I then tried to tighten the bolts a bit more the leak rose to 1.9e-8 about a factor of 4 change.

I checked another flange to confirm that I was preforming the test properly. I measured the elbow to pressure sensor to be 2.2e-11 aproximatly what it was earlier in the month (1.9e-11). 

I ran another isolation test. It is still exponetial. Graph attached.

Thoughts:

I belive at this point that it is a knife edge issue when replacing the gasket I checked both flanges and the new gasket. The tp knife edge seemed perfectly fine, the gasket had very minor scratches, and the reducing cross had very small imperfections on its edge. 

We may want to try and use the liquid sealant or get annealed gaskets for 4.5"

[Luke, Luis, Mary, Ma]

On 10/22/24 Luke, Ma, Mary and myself ran a leak test, the results are displayed below. The overall pressure of the vacuum was 2.0e-8 and the temperature readings were 26C for the RGA and 25C for the main volume.

[Aiden, Luis]

Tested every weld and flange to find leaks. Only found that the flange on the turbo pump and reducing nipple was still at 2e-9 torr on the leak. The chamber still rose in pressure when the two gate valves were closed but no noticeable leak could be found on the lid or welds.

The working document of tasks regarding moving the clean room is attached. Needs LIGO account to access and edit.

  https://docs.google.com/document/d/14HhMYBcHmM62Hc1YJhinMsG5uPx6xoW0WEBmDcbNMMg/edit?usp=sharing

[Audrey, Cece, Jon, Ma, Mary, Michael, Pooyan, Tyler, Shane]

We have completed the preliminary reorganization of our Physics 1119 lab space. This includes:

• Moving all cabinets to their final positions
• Clearing out all equipment from the cleanroom in prep for HVAC work, and storing them in either the HEPA cabinet or double-bagging in regular storage.
• Moving all non-essential equipment into other lab spaces.
• Wrapping vacuum system and VLC for protection
• Removing all ceiling tiles and fans from the ceiling of the cleanroom
• Moving the cleanroom frame towards the front of the room.

Prepping the new clean-and-bake station in 1125 will begin within the next week, along with the construction of the stainless steel table planned to be put into the cleanroom.

[Cece, Ma, Mary, Pooyan, Tyler, Paul]

We have continued the reorganization of our Physics 1125 and 1129 lab spaces. This includes:

• Moving two workbenches from Room 1129 into Room 1125
• The workbench with the oven is still in Room 1129
• Assembling the stainless steel table
• Moving the cleanroom frame toward the whiteboard side to make room for HVAC work

The sink in Room 1125 was painted, and we stood Frosti up.

After acquiring some new equipment for the labs, a few of us spent time on Thursday and Friday sorting through everything and storing them into their appropriate places. New vacuum parts, power supplies, cables, and much more were included. The rooms are now ready for the lab tours commencing Tuesday afternoon.

[Jon, Tyler, Shane, Peter, Luis]

Today we completed the first phase of lab clean-up. Activities included:

• CF/KF parts stored under the cleanroom table were removed and transferred to Physics 1129
• Cleanroom workbench cleared, with all FROSTI hardware collected into one of the large SS bins
• High surfaces outside the cleanroom (lights, table enclosure frames, rack, cabinets) wiped down with IPA wipes
• Floor HEPA-vacuumed outside the cleanroom
• Sticky mats changed throughout the lab

Tomorrow, we will complete turn-over of the cleanroom (HEPA vacuuming of floors, mopping of floors, IPA wiping of softwalls and work surfaces). Shane will post a forthcoming measurement of the cleanroom particulate levels, post-turnover.

1424564097.243212 2025/02/26 00:14:39 UTC Time start

12V 2A right after start all 8 elements

1424564478.079428 2025/02/26 00:21:00 UTC Time stop

12V 1.8A right before stop all 8 elements

1424564832.211584 2025/02/26 00:26:54 UTC Time start

12V 1.9A right after start all 8 elements

1424565208.359935 2025/02/26 00:33:10 UTC Time stop

12V 1.8A right before stop all 8 elements

1424565573.565066 2025/02/26 00:39:15 UTC Time start

12V 1.8A right after start all 8 elements

1424565931.242394 2025/02/26 00:45:13 UTC Time stop

12V 1.7A right before stop all 8 elements

1424566292.67104 2025/02/26 00:51:14 UTC Time start

12V 1.8A right after start all 8 elements

1424566648.619952 2025/02/26 00:57:10 UTC Time stop

12V 1.7A right before stop all 8 elements

1424566996.312246 2025/02/26 01:02:58 UTC Time start

12V 1.8A right after start all 8 elements

1424567381.748943 2025/02/26 01:09:23 UTC Time stop

12V 1.7A right before stop all 8 elements

1424567756.528736 2025/02/26 01:15:38 UTC Time start

12V 1.7A right after start all 8 elements

0.2A right before start

spikes!?

1424643001.864687 2025/02/26 22:09:43 UTC

change c_0(VEXC0 & VCXC0) to 2V (why is it on 5V ?)

2025/02/26 22:18:51 UTC

Main chamber pressure:5.92e-9

RGA chamber pressure:1.98e-9

1424650528.240947 2025/02/27 00:15:10 UTC Time start (increase voltage)

24V 2.1A right after start all 8 elements

disconnect and reconnect (exc 1-4)(out 9-12) & (exc 5-8)(out 13-16)

2025/02/27 19:34:26 UTC

Main chamber pressure:1.34e-8

RGA chamber pressure:4.33e-9

Main chamber temp: 29

RGA chamber temp:29

2025/02/28 18:02:29 UTC

Main chamber pressure:1.05e-8

RGA chamber pressure:3.53e-9

Main chamber temp: 29

RGA chamber temp:30

1424801097.374902 2025/02/28 18:04:39 UTC Time stop

24V 1.8A right before stop all 8 elements

0.1A right after stop

1424827460.71372 2025/03/01 01:24:02 UTC Time start

24V 2.9A right after start all 8 elements

0.1A right before start

2025/03/01 01:25:34 UTC

Main chamber pressure:5.98e-9

RGA chamber pressure:2.06e-9

Main chamber temp:27

RGA chamber temp:27

2025/03/03 20:28:03 UTC

Main chamber pressure:7.8e-9

RGA chamber pressure:2.64e-9

Main chamber temp:27

RGA chamber temp:27

[Pamella, Cao and Julian, Shane]

• Particles account
• 10:37 am: Starting the particles account
1. Zone 3:
   • 0.3u: 1662
   • 0.5u: 872
   • 1.0u: 415
2. Zone 4:
   • 0.3u: 831
   • 0.5u: 124
   • 1.0u: 0
• 11:14 am: Start removal of calibrated leak to install 45 deg elbow
• 11:21 am: Elbow installed, re-install calibrated leak back on
• 11:29 am: Finished re-install calibrated leak, start installing gate valve on pump line
• 11:47 am: Finished installing gate valve, start installing reducing cross onto gate valve
• 12:02 pm: Finished installing reducing cross, start installing 90 deg elbow to reducing cross
• 12:17 pm: Finished installing reducing cross, lunch break
• 01:24 pm: Come back to the lunch break.
• 01:26 pm: Start installing vacuum hose to elbow.
• 01:40 pm: Finished installing vacuum hose.
• 01:43 pm: Start installing turbo pump.
• 02:00 pm: finished installing turbo pump .
• 02:10 pm: Start installing standard wall hose from turbo pump to scroll pump
• 02:21 pm: finished installing hose onto scroll pump, start installing lid. Remove lid from chamber, insert viton O-ring. Place lid back
• 02:30 pm: Secure lids with screw. Start installing turbo pump controller cable: Pass cable from outside (controller) up the top of clean tent and connect to 8 pin connector on turbo pump
• 03:00 pm: Installing air cooling unit for turbo pump, found 8 M3 screws for air cooling unit in the C&B cabinet to install the fan bracket onto the back of turbo pump. Fan control cable is routed up to the top of the cleanroom to the controller
• 03:15 pm: Installing full-range gauge cable to the controller outside cleanroom. Ethernet cables 1 and 2 are used. Cable 1 is used on the RGA line gauge. Cable 2 is connected to the main body gauge. Cable1 and 2 are connected controller's channel 1 and 2 respectively.
• 04:00 pm: Finish installing gauges cables. Cables are routed up along the frame to the controller sitting outside the cleanroom
• 04:15 pm: Finished. End-of-date particle count
  1. Zone 3:
     • 0.3u: 3699
     • 0.5u: 1454
     • 1.0u: 872
  2. Zone 4:
     • 0.3u: 1662
     • 0.5u: 706
     • 1.0u: 290

[Julian, Cao]

• 03:00 pm: Particle count
  1. : Zone 3
     • 0.3 um: 498
     • 0.5 um: 124
     • 1 um: 124
  2. : Zone 4
     • 0.3 um: 748
     • 0.5 um: 457
     • 1 um: 374
• 03:32 pm: Installing Pirani gauge onto pump line
• 03:51 pm: Finish installing Pirani gauge, start installing RGA probe
• 04:03 pm: Finish installing PRGA probe, start routing cable from gauge controller to Pirani gauge
• 04:30 pm: All ethernet cables are routed and connected to gauge controllers
• 04:48 pm: Power gauge controller up, all gauges are recognised and readout shows atmospheric pressure as expected (1000 mbar)
• 04:51 pm: End-of-work particle count
  1. : Zone 3
     • 0.3 um: 1413
     • 0.5 um: 872
     • 1 um: 623
  2. : Zone 4
     • 0.3 um: 374
     • 0.5 um: 166
     • 1 um: 166

1. Macor spacer (drawing: LIGO_Redesign_Macor_Spacer_Drawing_v4.pdf attached below), quantities: 40
   • No defects, damages observed
   • Parts are free from grease/ machining fluid
   • Wall thickness of 1 mm appear to provide sufficient stiffness to part
   • Images of parts: Macor_spacer_0.jpg, Macor_spacer_1.jpg
2. Macor 5-40 UNC screw (drawing: LIGO_Redesign_Macor_Screw_Drawing_v6.pdf attached below), quantities: 20
   • One screw broke, location of break: should edge between head and shaft (see image Macor_screw_5.jpg )
   • All other screws look ok, no damage observed, clean surface overall
   • Images: Macor_screw_0.jpg , Macor_screw_4.jpg

slideshow

Attached below are the initial results of the CIT FROSTI testing analysis.