Reports until 14:47, Tuesday 18 December 2012
H1 SUS
betsy.weaver@LIGO.ORG - posted 14:47, Tuesday 18 December 2012 (4961)
MC1, MC3, PR2 and MC2 ready* for pump down

* Barring one more round of TFs.

Today, we finished locking nuts and tweeking OSEM centering on PR2 and MC2.  The MC2 closeup task-list took a side trip as we had poor cable connection of the L2 external cable both at the satellite box and at the feedthru on the chamber at the other end.  I called in the calvary who helped us hunt these joints.  Meanwhile, I attempted to remove the FC from PR2.  The AR sheet came off without a hitch.  The IAS-compatible HR sheet tore in many places leaving only the ring of the sheet in my hand when I was done.  The central portion of the sheet was too thin the pull so was torn in from numerous directions and would not lift off.  I reapplied FC (using the red "nail polish" bottle) over the torn sheet, added a PEEK tab and waited an hour before pulling again.  It came off.  There are still a few wisps near the edge of the sheet which did not come off, but I left it alone for now.  We won't use this optic until after the next vent so we'll revisit cleanup then.

Travis and Cheryl also spent some time adjusting mechanical pitch on MC1 to reduce the amount of electronic bias used.  CHeryl will re-check MC flashes in the morning.