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Preparation notes for the re-commissioning campaign (cryo run 93, NIKA2 81th; last update: 2026/09/22):
A report about the second intervention on dichroic and Ar2 shims to try compensating 2mm-1mm focus difference can be seen here. The dichroic was flipped and some shims were introduced on Array 2 mount for compensating the expected distortion of the former after the cool-down. Arrays 1 and 3 were not touched during the cryostat intervention. Therefore, it is likely that only the reference pixel and scale of Matrix 2 have changed. Similar focus corrections are expected for all three arrays.
First NIKA2+ tests will be performed during sparsed observing slots on week 40 (cf. project T21-26 here). NIKA2 account t22 should be used.
- A new sweep for all arrays would be prepared (with the support of Martino and Alessandro) on Tue. 29th after 13:30 CEST (TBC). We would start pointing/focus using the DAFs corresponding to cryo run 92, likely using the Array 1 data as a driver in the worst case.
PIIC DAFs status
DAFs for the current official cryo run (92) were installed on 2026/03/24 by Stefano Berta. When setting up the PIIC environmental variables with gagpiic and starting PIIC, the environment variable $MOPSIC_DAFS points by default to /sw/gildas/mopsic/dafs.
Main Goals
- Preliminary verification of the system in the sky, obtaining the first pointing/focus corrections and quantifying the first focus deviations (hopefully very small).
- Prepare a new sweep (cryo run 93)
- Determination of the optimal Z-axis focus position and setting the focus routine accordingly.
- Produce high-quality DAF/RPP and Kidpars.
- Produce new NEFDs, in total power and polarization (if possible) and providing a new estimate of the fraction of valid KIDs per array.
- Refine pointing offsets.
Observation priorities
- Obtaining high-quality beam maps (at least 2) in total power/polarimetry.
- Getting calib_1scan maps on Uranus, Mars and secondary flux standards/QSOs (at different elevations, day/night) in total power/polarimetry + skydips.
- Performing a pointing session
- Getting a small deep field centered on a moderately bright source (few hours, say at least 5) in total power and a bunch of polarimetry scans (Crab).
- Carrying out pending tests for projects 092-26 (N2EDF; high scan speed) and 093-26, both in total power.