To avoid overheating the local control coils, I have opened the SQB2 angular control loops around 16:00 UTC.
The reason for the oscillation needs to be checked by someone.
We noticed that the movements of the PMC piezo are correlated with the output power of the PMC. This correlation is due to an offset in the PMC lock signal, which keeps the the transmitted signal away from its maximum.
At 9:52 utc, we changed the offset in the ISYS_acl config file from -0.12 to -0.015 V. This set the central value of the PDH error signal to 0 V as wanted. However the PMC control loop brings the control loop signal to -22 mV instead of 0 V. So the correlation is still present after this intervention.
To correct the offset, we used the method descibed in gitlab. Instead of injecting a 270 Hz line, the injected signal is at 123 Hz (frequency written in the config file) with 0.05V amplitude.
By setting the offset level to -0.025 V, the 123 Hz line on PMC_tra was minimized. And the coherence at low frequency diminished.
- Move electrical panel near TCS chiller room, from 6:00UTC to 10:00UTC (Fabozzi, external firm);
- INJ: IMC lock/alignment recovery, in progress;
We continued to deploy the DAC1955 v3r3 firmware on all the DAC1955 boards used at the NEB and WEB, execpt the ALS ones:
- NEB - rtpc8 : the 7 DAC1955 boards are updated
- Tolm output data flow is reduced from 29,4MB/s to 5.9MB/s
- WEB - rtpc9 : the 7 DAC1955 boards are updated
- Tolm output data flow is reduced from 29,4MB/s to 5.6MB/s
- We faced some issues with these rptcs as
- we would like to run the DAC1955 using the synchronous mode
- and there are some Acl's servers running at a loop frequency lower than the Tpro's one and for the ones running at the same frequency if their elapsed time is lower than the Tpro period, they are interleaved
- until we understand that the 1PPS flag was not correctly set in the Tolm packet header
- As consequence for the DAC1955 Tolm packet sent by an ACL's task running with a loop frequency lower than the Tpro's one, the DAC1955 board Tolm packet reception have been configured as asynchronous.
- For the others DAC1955 boards, the Tolm packet reception is configured as synchronous
Operations performed between 2026-07-01-09h11m50-UTC and 2026-07-01-18h43m53-UTC
- all the loops were opened during the time of the operations
- and successfully closed at the end
Below the detailled list of the DAC1955 boards updated and the related ACL's servers at WEB
- WEB_NCAL server was already done : 2 DAC1955 boards
- WEB_DAC_NCAL_TCS : DAC1955_SN053 - DBOX_SN121 - SWEB_dbox_rack : rtpc9
- WEB_DAC_NCAL0 : DAC1955_SN073 - DBOX_SN175 - SWEB_dbox_rack : rtpc9
- NCAL loops successfully closed
- WEB_PCal_fast server was already done : 1 DAC1955 boards
- WEB_DAC_PCAL : DAC1955_SN011 - DBOX_SN049 - SWEB_dbox_rack : rtpc9
- PCal loop successfully closed
- SWEB_LC and SWEB_SBE servers : 3 DAC1955 boards running at 400kHz in asynchronous mode
- SWEB_DAC_LC_LVDT_out : DAC1955_SN044 - DBOX_SN043 - SWEB_dbox_rack : rtpc9
- SWEB_DAC_LC_LVDT_in : DAC1955_SN038 - DBOX_SN014 - SWEB_dbox_bench : rtpc9
- SWEB_DAC_SBE0 : DAC1955_SN039 - DBOX_SN062 - SWEB_dbox_rack : rtpc9
- loops succesfully closed. The TX and TY position changed as we restored the ones of the configuration file
- SWEB_PSD_sensing server : 1 DAC1955 board running at 400kHz in asynchronous mode
- SWEB_DAC_PSD : DAC1955_SN035 - DBOX_SN014 - SWEB_dbox_bench : rtpc9
- we checked that the Tolm packect are correctly received by the DAC board
Below the detailled list of the DAC1955 boards updated and the related ACL's servers at NEB
- NEB_NCAL server was already done : 2 DAC1955 boards
- NEB_DAC_NCAL_TCS : DAC1955_SN018 - DBOX_SN119 - SNEB_dbox_rack : rtpc8
- NEB_DAC_NCAL0 : DAC1955_SN006 - DBOX_SN118 - SNEB_dbox_rack : rtpc8
- we checks that the Tolm packect are correctly received by the DAC boards
- NEB_PCal_fast server and NEB_NNC_Tilt server were already done : 1 DAC1955 boards
- NEB_DAC_PCAL : DAC1955_SN121 - DBOX_SN035 - SNEB_dbox_rack : rtpc8
- PCal loop successfully closed
- SNEB_LC and SNEB_SBE servers : 3 DAC1955 boards running at 400kHz in asynchronous mode
- SNEB_DAC_LC_LVDT_out : DAC1955_SN031 - DBOX_SN034 - SNEB_dbox_rack : rtpc8
- SNEB_DAC_LC_LVDT_in : DAC1955_SN003 - DBOX_SN013 - SNEB_dbox_bench : rtpc8
- SNEB_DAC_SBE0 : DAC1955_SN102 - DBOX_SN127 - SNEB_dbox_rack : rtpc8
- loops succesfully closed
- SNEB_PSD_sensing server : 1 DAC1955 board running at 400kHz in asynchronous mode
- SNEB_DAC_PSD : DAC1955_SN007 - DBOX_SN013 - SNEB_dbox_bench : rtpc8
- we checked that the Tolm packect are correctly received by the DAC board
On Tuesday morning we completed the realignment of the BPC loop. We started by zeroing the corrections sent to the actuators and centering the DC offset on the amplifier, in order to maximise the actuator dynamics.
With the PMC locked and the BPC loop closed, we used the M6 and M8 mirrors on EIB to center the BPC QPDs. The loop closed easily in full bandwidth, with less than 1V of correction per DoF. The power measured at the output of EIB_M9 was around 29W, similar to what we measured before the April intervention.
We then closed the BCP at the usual setpoints, and coarsely realigne MC and SIB1 in order to relock the IMC. Despite the presence of peaks above 8-10W (the power threshold for the rampauto) we didn't succeed in relocking.
We found a phase shift of almost 45° on the demodulated error signal, most probably due to the swap of the 22 MHz EOM with its spare. The new value for the phase is 2.85. A finer tuning will likely be performed once the IMC recovery is complete.
Today, the OLTF of the IMC under these new conditions was measured (see Fig. 1), showing an UGF of less than 90 kHz and ~23° of phase margin, significantly lower than the last measurement at the end of April. This may be a direct consequence of the chiller and the slave laser issue from early May, with the SL not being properly seeded by the ML beam. For the time being, we will not work on improving the SL loop.
With the IMC locked, we checked the IMC working point (new value: −0.85), realigned the IMC cavity, and measured the new AA sensing matrix and angular galvo offsets. The AA has been closed in full bandwidth. Moreover, the RFC locked directly after closing the IMC AA.
Some remarks, though:
• The longitudinal working point is smaller with respect to the last measurement.
• The AA error signals show quite large offsets across all channels.
• The IBz loop, which links BPC_X to the Z position of the SIB1 bench when the IMC is locked, is currently not working. The BPC X DoF, however, works correctly when using the BPC QPD error signal. For the time being, we have manually adjusted the X setpoint to minimise the IBz signal. We will investigate further to identify the origin of the problem.
This morning, we tested a Güralp 3ESPC seismometer at the North end building. The sensor has been purchased for the deployment of the external environmental monitoring stations.
The Güralp 3ESPC was temporarily connected in place of the NEB reference Güralp seismometer and installed close to the electronics racks, Figure 1.
A dedicated interface device was developed to lock, unlock, and center the sensor masses, Figure 2. During the test, the masses were first unlocked to verify the correct operation of the instrument and were then locked again using the same interface.
Figure 3 compares the spectra measured by the tested seismometer (blue curve, ENV*SEIS_*) and by another Güralp seismometer (orange curve, ENV*SEIS*T*) installed close to the tiltmeter. The two sensors show a very good agreement at low frequencies, with high coherence below approximately 5-10 Hz. At higher frequencies, the tested sensor exhibits a slightly higher noise level, most likely because it was temporarily installed close to the electronics racks.
Overall, the test confirms the correct operation of the seismometer.
The change in SDB1 TX and TY set point is understandable. After the update the set points are exactly as written in the configuration file. Before the update the set points were most likely still the floating set points that are corresponding to where the beam actually was before the interferometer beam was disable a few months ago. A drift of a few urad is usual between the static set point and the floating set points.
ITF DOWN in UPGRADING mode.
Activities communicated to the control room:
- NI and WI instrumented baffles checks (Ballester, Gargiulo, Gherardini, Pasqualetti)
- MC cavity lock (De Rossi, Gosselin, Lagabbe, Spinicelli)
- Seismometer test at NE (Gherardini, Fiori, Tringali)
- DAC1955 v3 firmware deployment on rtpc8/9 (SWEB) (Masserot)
- NI Payload preparation (Vocca, Travasso)
From Monday June 15 to Thursday June 18, we worked in the installation of new instrumented baffles and the replacement of the existing BafFlanges in the NI and WI towers. In all tasks in the tower, the IFAE team was assisted by Julien Gargiula, Nicola Menzione, Cecilia Zaza. Feedthrough and internal cabling were installed by Fabio Gherardini.
On June 15 morning we proceeded to several tasks in parallel:
- Install drawers in NI rack #2, unit 32 (David). (image 1)
- Assemble white boxes (Otger). (image 2)
- Cleaning of the big structure, installation bars and several small pieces (Alex and Lluïsa-M. with the guidance of Nicola and Cecilia). (image 3)
- Add PT100 and "clips" to baffles preassembled on May 4/5. (Noel, Jose & Pepe).
- Run electronic tests (again): all OK, but one cable found faulty (David, Pepe), taken to Vincenzo for repair (Lluïsa-M.).
- Replace crooked antenna (Pepe).
- Disassemble NI BafFlange (Noel & Jose).
- Prepare everything for the afternoon installation in the tower (Alex, Noel & Jose).
In the afternoon:
- Move equipment to NI rack (David & Otger).
- Move the instrumented baffle to NI tower. (images 4 and 5)
- Installation finished by 5 pm (Noel, Jose & Alex). The baffle is measured to be at 10 mm (uncertainty of +- 1 mm) from the flange with a deviation from the vertical plane of +- 0.1°. (image 6)
- Equipment moved to NI (Pepe, David and Otger).
On June 16 morning:
- Install the cable connecting the midpoint to the feedthrough (Fabio).
- Otger and David read the first data. Everything looks OK.
- Alex, Noel, Maria & Piernicola measure the transfer function (TF) with accelerometers. (images 7 and 8)
- In parallel Jose and Pepe assemble the second baffle. (image 9)
- In parallel Otger and David discuss computing requirements with Erin Seder.
In the afternoon:
- Once we get the OK from Maria regarding the TF data, the new BafFlange is installed in the NI tower (Noel, Jose and Alex). (image 10)
- In parallel Alex and David check electrical connections of the second baffle in the clean room.
- Install external cabling of the WI (Pepe).
On June 17 morning:
- Nicola and Cecilia clean the WI tower.
- Once finished, Alex, Noel and Jose disassemble the WI BafFlange and install the second instrumented baffle. The baffle is measured to be at 10 mm (uncertainty of +- 1 mm) from the flange with a deviation from the vertical plane of +- 0.1°. (image 11)
- Pepe and David check that power is reaching the baffle properly.
- Otger and David start readout tests.
In the afternoon:
- Struggling with WI baffle readout, half baffle does not produce signal. Problem due to external cable, fixed. Everything is OK now. Install WI inner tube and back baffle.
On June 18 morning:
- (Noel, Alex and Piernicola) TF measurements of the WI baffle. (image 12)
- Once we get the OK from Piernicola regarding the TF data, the new BafFlange is installed in the WI tower (Noel, Jose and Alex). (images 13 and 14)
- Installation in the towers finished. (images 15 and 16)
In the early afternoon:
- Experiencing problems to set up the WI system, requiring several attempts to get it. Once connection is obtained there are no data lost and data make sense. External cables checked and found OK. Will request checking the cable connecting the midpoint to the feedthrough and continue the debugging remotely.
The problems disappeared after replacement of the mid connector. See entries https://logbook.virgo-gw.eu/virgo/?r=69271 and https://logbook.virgo-gw.eu/virgo/?r=69276.
Tests were perfectly fine, no loss of data when Fabio was shaking the cable and all PDs went to ~0 when lights were off.
We deployed the DAC1955 v3r3 firmware on almost all the DAC1955 boards used for the SDB1, SDB2 et EDB systems.
- rtpc13 : the 2 DAC1955 boards are updated
- Tolm output data flow reduced from 4.2MB/s to 0.42MB/s
- rtpc1 : 9 DAC1955 boards over the 13 are updated
- it remains the 2 related to the SQZ and the 2 driven by the EDB server
- Tolm output data flow reduced from 54.5MB/s to 20.6MB/s
Operations performed the 2026-06-31 between 2026-06-30-06h56m23-UTC and 2026-06-30-15h16m55-UTC
- all the loops were opened during the time of the operations
- and successfully closed at the end
Below the detailled list of the DAC1955 boards updated and the related ACL's server
- SDB2_LC and SDB2_SBE were already done for the 3 DAC1955 used
- SDB2_DAC_LC_LVDT_out : DAC1955_SN019 - DBOX_SN028 - SDB_EDB_dbox_rack : rtpc1
- SDB2_DAC_LC_LVDT_in : DAC1955_SN069 - DBOX_SN106 - SDB2_dbox_bench : rtpc13
- SDB2_DAC_SBE0 : DAC1955_SN022 - DBOX_SN027 - SDB_EDB_dbox_rack : rtpc1
- loops successfully closed
- EDB_PC (Phase Camera) : 1 DAC1955
- SDB2_DAC_EDB0 : DAC1955_SN023 - DBOX_SN027 - SDB_EDB_dbox_rack : rtpc1
- plot showing the DAC1955 input channels and the Phase camera related outputs
- SDB1_FI : 1 DAC1955
- SDB1_DAC : DAC1955_SN042 - DBOX_SN016 - SDB_EDB_dbox_rack : rtpc1
- we checks that the Tolm packect is correctly received by the DAC board
- SDB2_Quadrants : 1 DAC1955
- SDB2_DAC_galvo : DAC1955_SN101 - DBOX_SN105 - SDB2_dbox_bench : rtpc13
- we checks that the Tolm packect is correctly received by the DAC board: It remains to check that the galvo loops are correctly running
- SDB1_OMC, SDB1_Quadrants and SDB1_FAST_SHUTTER : 1 DAC1955
- SDB1_DAC_OMC_B5 : DAC1955_SN021 - DBOX_SN030 - SDB_EDB_dbox_rack : rtpc1
- plot showing the successfull OMC temperature stabilization and the presence of the PZT modulation line
- we checks the B5 quadrant VBias are OK
- It remains to check the FAST_SHUTTER is correctly running
- SDB1_LC : 3 DAC1955
- SDB1_DAC_LC_LVDT_out : DAC1955_SN012 - DBOX_SN028 - SDB_EDB_dbox_rack : rtpc1
- SDB1_DAC_LC_LVDT_in : DAC1955_SN025 - DBOX_SN016 - SDB_EDB_dbox_rack : rtpc1
- SDB1_DAC_MAR : DAC1955_SN048 - DBOX_SN030 - SDB_EDB_dbox_rack : rtpc1
- the loops were successfully closed but the TX and TY set points have a little bit shifted, the experts must check
- the EDB_DAC2 board installed bu not yet used has been updated too
- EDB_DAC2 : DAC1955_SN055 - DBOX_SN113 - SDB_EDB_dbox_rack : rtpc1
During the operations, we updated by msitake the firmware of one mezzanine(id 3) of a DBOX (SN23) used for the SPRL local control : we restored the correct firmware and after the SPRB LC were successfully closed too
The change in SDB1 TX and TY set point is understandable. After the update the set points are exactly as written in the configuration file. Before the update the set points were most likely still the floating set points that are corresponding to where the beam actually was before the interferometer beam was disable a few months ago. A drift of a few urad is usual between the static set point and the floating set points.
In the meantime the NI payload has been cleaned and leveled and the mirror centered on the cradle (Fig.4).
Finally, an ear of the CP01 (new CP for WI) that had come off was reattached. The bond seems to have come out well but a stress/suspension test will need to be carried out in 7-10 days.
- SR02: old SR
- CP02: old NI CP
- CP04: new NI CP
- CP03: old WI CP
- CP01: new WI CP
- IM04: old NI
- IM03: new NI
- IM02: old WI
- IM01: new WI
ITF found in DOWN State and UPGRADING Mode.
All times are UTC.
07:35 DAC1955 on rtpc1 firmware update (Masserot).
08:00 - 10:14 INJ LAB activity (Spinicelli, Lagabbe).
09:24 INJ LAB AHU set to portata nominale (Operator).
10:16 INJ LAB AHU set back to portata ridotta (Operator).
14:17 Travasso, Vocca, and Benedetti ended the activity on the payload scheduled for today.
The plan goes on with the works concerning WI CP replacement in its mount and magnet HCB on the WI spare mirror under preparation.
The schedule has been very slightly modified crosschecking the manpower assignments. However, so far we can keep the overall targets.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bdeiGp0oN-vrfYkVavDI6cP8A_s3SUtA94C2hniH5JE/edit?gid=699595264#gid=699595264
In the meantime the NI payload has been cleaned and leveled and the mirror centered on the cradle (Fig.4).
Finally, an ear of the CP01 (new CP for WI) that had come off was reattached. The bond seems to have come out well but a stress/suspension test will need to be carried out in 7-10 days.
We first realigned the beam manually on the BPC QPDs and brought it back to its nominal setpoints. We then worked on the EIB balancing and successfully closed the loop.
From the control room, we attempted to lock the BPC, but the loop would not close. Investigations revealed that only one of the PZTs was actually responding. Further checks showed that some of the LEMO connectors on the box used to add the output resistance required for the low-pass filter had been damaged during resistance measurements performed a few weeks ago. Roberto repaired it, and all four PZTs are now responding normally.
However, the manual alignment performed in the morning had been carried out with incorrect PZT settings, leaving the beam significantly displaced from its nominal position. We will need to return to the laser lab tomorrow to repeat the manual alignment.
We also worked on the alignment of the IMC cavity. We managed to obtain flashes up to 5–6 W, but we have not yet relocked the cavity. This work will continue once the BPC loop is closed.
For the night, the PMC was left scanning (with a 1.5 V offset applied to its error signal), and the mirror at its output was flipped.
Work will resume tomorrow.
On Tuesday morning we completed the realignment of the BPC loop. We started by zeroing the corrections sent to the actuators and centering the DC offset on the amplifier, in order to maximise the actuator dynamics.
With the PMC locked and the BPC loop closed, we used the M6 and M8 mirrors on EIB to center the BPC QPDs. The loop closed easily in full bandwidth, with less than 1V of correction per DoF. The power measured at the output of EIB_M9 was around 29W, similar to what we measured before the April intervention.
We then closed the BCP at the usual setpoints, and coarsely realigne MC and SIB1 in order to relock the IMC. Despite the presence of peaks above 8-10W (the power threshold for the rampauto) we didn't succeed in relocking.
We found a phase shift of almost 45° on the demodulated error signal, most probably due to the swap of the 22 MHz EOM with its spare. The new value for the phase is 2.85. A finer tuning will likely be performed once the IMC recovery is complete.
Today, the OLTF of the IMC under these new conditions was measured (see Fig. 1), showing an UGF of less than 90 kHz and ~23° of phase margin, significantly lower than the last measurement at the end of April. This may be a direct consequence of the chiller and the slave laser issue from early May, with the SL not being properly seeded by the ML beam. For the time being, we will not work on improving the SL loop.
With the IMC locked, we checked the IMC working point (new value: −0.85), realigned the IMC cavity, and measured the new AA sensing matrix and angular galvo offsets. The AA has been closed in full bandwidth. Moreover, the RFC locked directly after closing the IMC AA.
Some remarks, though:
• The longitudinal working point is smaller with respect to the last measurement.
• The AA error signals show quite large offsets across all channels.
• The IBz loop, which links BPC_X to the Z position of the SIB1 bench when the IMC is locked, is currently not working. The BPC X DoF, however, works correctly when using the BPC QPD error signal. For the time being, we have manually adjusted the X setpoint to minimise the IBz signal. We will investigate further to identify the origin of the problem.
ITF DOWN in UPGRADING mode.
Activities communicated to the control room:
- 06:30 UTC Control Building air ducts (Soldani) In progress...
- 09:00 UTC - IMC relock preparation (Gosselin, Spinicelli, Lagabbe). ACS set in portata nominale.
- 11:45 UTC - IMC relock (Gosselin, Spinicelli, Lagabbe). ACS set again in portata ridotta.
- 09:00 UTC - Fallen mirror anchors debonding (Vocca, Travasso). In progress...
No laser hazard can propagate outside the Laser Lab and the Vacuum Chambers.
The Gate Valve between the PR and the BS is close and not laser hazard can propagate. The Gate Valve can not be opened without the authorization of the TSL.
The Main Laser can propagate up to the PR.
"reset boards -> configure -> data read out for 30-60 seconds"
loop for several hours.
We will leave the baffles taking data over the week extending the read out period to few hours.
On Monday, we will provide a short list of tests we would like to run in collaboration with people at EGO to test the reliability of the connexions before proceeding to the installation of the BafTowers, payloads, etc.
After the daily meeting I went in the central building to place some laser safety labels on the taped viewports of SIB1 PR and SPRB towers,
To be noted that since last week the viewport of SPRB used to extract the B4 phase camera beam has been tapped (first picture).
ITF found DOWN in UPGRADING mode
Activities communicated to the control room:
Laser safety panels placed on SIB1 tower, PR tower, SPRB tower (Gosselin)
TCS auxiliary lasers cooling system - work in progress (Ciardelli, Menzione)
LLab door troubleshooting - repair in progress (Marano)
The symptoms were that when launching the system, the first command sent to the IB failed. The command is related to the WiFi and arrives to the microcontroller through RS485. The command asks the IB to disconnect from WiFi as we are preparing the system to work through wired connection. Approximately 2 out of 3 times we tried this, the command failed. As we are in commissioning, we were doing full reboots.
The moments we were able to setup the system, we could set it to acquire data and the data made sense and no data was lost, apparently. While IFAE team was at EGO, we checked the external cables. On 21/06/2026, EGO team checked the internal cables (from the flange to the mid connector and the mid connector itself). The problem was still there. On 23/06/2026 EGO team reworked the mid connector. Due to a festivity in Catalunya we could not check this last change until 25/6/2026. We've left the system rebooting in a loop:
reset boards -> configure -> data read out for 30-60 seconds
The first 100 loops worked like a charm without errors. We continue to check the stability and doing the same test on the NI IB as well as checking the firmware for WiFi related problems.