40 meter laboratory near-term milestones (spring, summer, fall 2006)

• Continue development and implementation of more robust, automated, "deterministic” locking strategies
• Learn how to tune the detector response for optimal sensitivity and control, by measuring and adjusting length signal extraction parameters.
• Develop and test new length signal extraction schemes using lower frequency RF
• Prototype a DC readout system, including new PCIX-based controls architecture. Understand the noise contributions.
• Understand contributions to the GW displacement noise.
• Reduce technical noise sources to achieve quantum-limited sensitivity at high frequencies.
• Prototype ASC/WFS solutions for AdvLIGO (need more designer people)
• Continue development and application of e2e and Optickle QN frequency-domain models.

All the above activities feed directly into AdLIGO Interferometer Sensing and Control subsystem development.

• Study the injection of squeezed vacuum into the 40m asymmetric port, using MIT squeezer (beyond AdvLIGO?)