UPDATE (Jan 31, 2024)

Both LUCIs are available for all normal observing modes:

• Seeing-limited (SL) or ESM N375 Imaging
• SL/ESM N180 or N375 +G210 Spectroscopy
• SL/ESM N180 or N375 +G200 Spectroscopy
• Full AO N30 Imaging

UPDATE (Nov 4, 2023)

LUCI1 is now released for science for the following modes:

• N375 Imaging
• N1.8 G200 Spectroscopy

The N1.8 G210 calibration data is pending further analysis but we expect to release soon.  Similar to LUCI2, LUCI1 AO is pending SOUL calibration work.

UPDATE (Nov 1, 2023)

LUCI1 was mounted on the telescope on Oct 26th. A functional checkout of the mechanisms, including the MOS unit, was performed, and it passed, although with a couple of issues: 1) Filter Wheel 2 was tending to fail frequently, though it can be recovered with care to insure that it indeed has reached the desired position; and 2) the flexure compensation fold mirror was not moving in the Y direction. Yesterday, the current to this motor was increased and it is now working, so the checkout is proceeding. Currently, we are working on collecting data for the passive flexure compensation lookup tables.

Before it is released for science, new passive flexure compensation tables need to put in place and verified; focus offsets need to be measured and implemented; the grating tilt calibration needs to be checked (quick look suggests this is good) and the AGW stage-to-sky transform needs to be measured. LUCI1 was used on-sky last night and these data will help us assess the quality of the transform that is in place.

Work is continuing to take and analyze data,

UPDATE (Oct 22, 2023)

LUCI2 released for SL science with restricted modes

• N375 Imaging
• N180+G210 Spectroscopy
• N180+G200 Spectroscopy
• N30 Imaging

• N30 Imaging is pending updated NCPA tables and AO checkout.  This is being worked on this week with on-sky checkouts scheduled Oct 30th and 31st.
• N375 FlexComp is still running on the old tables.  They may not be perfect, but for the usually short exposures it should be OK.
• None of these new calibrations have been “checked” yet.  If you notice something off, please let us know.  We are working to verify data in the coming weeks, but are shifting priorities to LUCI1
• G200 appears to still have the offset problem described in IT#7487.  This means the wavelength calibrations could be off.

UPDATE (Oct 1, 2023)

The leak on LUCI2 was repaired and the instrument cooled.  After cooling, the instrument failed functional checkout.  The pupil viewer used to align LUCI to the telescope was failing to move completely into position.  Problems were also experienced with the grating turret and filter wheel 2 during this checkout.  The instrument is being warmed for repairs.

LUCI1 and LUCI2 remain unavailable.

UPDATE (Sept 18, 2023)

LUCI1 was cooled down after undergoing the repairs and installation of the G040 grating.  The warm checkout of all motor functions fully passed checkouts and inspections.  Once cooled it underwent the standard cold checkout where a critical failure of the Fold Mirror 4 motor was found.  This motor is used for both flexure compensation and pupil and field stop alignment.  Extensive efforts were made to try and resolve with the instrument cold, but the problem has been determined to be internal to the instrument.  LUCI1 will be warmed and further troubleshooting to take place once warm.

LUCI2 is in the lab and undergoing repairs for the leak discovered at the end of SSD23.  These repairs involve the replacement of 1-2 coldhead cylinders.  LUCI2 will be cooled in the lab, and has a planned installation date of early next week.

Both LUCI’s remain unavailable.

Both LUCIs have experienced delays coming out of SSD23 that will impact their availability early in the 2023B semester (Aug 29, 2023)

LUCI1: We confirmed that the G040 grating for LUCI1 was manufactured with the blaze 180 degrees from what was designed.  Newport/Richardson has thankfully expedited the re-manufacturing of the grating on the existing substrate and it has been shipped back to LBTO.  ETA for delivery is currently Friday September 1.

LUCI2: The initial pump down and starting the cryo-coolers on the telescope went well but the pressures immediately started rising, indicating a leak.  LUCI2 was re-warmed and leak-checked.  Small leaks around two electrical pass-through connectors were sealed with vacuum putty but there appears to still be a leak we suspect is coming from one of the cold head cylinders.

In both cases, the repair or re-installation work plus pumping and cool-down pushes the availability of both LUCIs out to the end of our on-sky re-start period.  One or both LUCIs may not be available, or completely recalibrated, for the early science blocks in 2023B.