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At least 505 records · Page 28

Designing ITER motional Stark effect line shift (MSE-LS) spectrometers

As a part of ITER beam aided diagnostics, the design of Motional Stark Effect (MSE) diagnostic observing the emission from the Balmer-α line is underway. The physics of Stark splitting shows that the Stark manifold is polarization dependent, and the energy splitting results in a line shift proportional to the electric field. Due to the challenges of maintaining the calibration of the plasma facing mirrors in ITER, the conventional MSE polarimetry measurement technique is replaced with a spectral approach that is deemed more favorable in the ITER environment. The MSE line shift (LS) diagnostic is designed to quantify the Lorentz electric field magnitude by measuring the Stark manifold using visible spectroscopy. In the presence of large magnetic fields and high energy heating beams of 1 MeV, the expected Stark splitting is much larger than in typical devices. The MSE-LS design has unique challenges requiring careful consideration and modeling of its viewing geometry and photon budget. The MSE-LS approach on ITER is promising but has stringent demands on the allowable errors for the statistical and systematic fitting uncertainties. In this study, a full system model and numerical simulations of data for each sightline are completed. For a range of optical transmission fractions, photon noise analysis is conducted to determine the statistical uncertainties. This provides guidance on the spectrometer throughput, dispersion at the detector, optics, and other design choices. A conceptual design of a high throughput spectrometer with a volume phase transmission grating is presented.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗

Pronghorn Porous Media Model Validation with Pressure Drop Measurements

The verification and validation (V&V) of Pronghorn is imperative to assert its accuracy when predicting the fluid velocity, temperature, and pressure in high temperature gas-cooled reactors. Pronghorn is a coarse-mesh, intermediate-fidelity, and multidimensional thermal-hydraulics (TH) code developed by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). New pebble bed experiments are used to observe the details of the fluid motion and pressure drop in the porous bed under the reactor normal operation. This paper focuses on the validation of the Pronghorn compressible and incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using the pressure drop measurements performed at the engineering-scale pebble bed facility at the Texas A&M university (TAMU). Various pressure drop correlations and porosity functions are implemented in both Pronghorn and STAR-CCM+ to compare the pressure drop due to the combined viscous and inertial resistances in the porous bed. The correlations accounting for the near-wall effect are also utilized to observe if the pressure drop estimates can be improved. Pronghorn porous media models predict the pressure drop well relative to the STAR-CCM+ simulation results and 1D correlations, and both the finite element method (FEM) and finite volume method (FVM) perform accurately. Pronghorn models are also validated with the experimental measurements given the different Reynolds number ranges and specific aspect ratios. The likelihood of the statistical significance between the pressure drop measurements and specific correlations or simulations is low provided that the overlap of their confidence intervals is more than the half of a single arm. Several validation metrics are reasonable in regard to the similar studies from other literature. The precise average pebble bed porosity estimation has much impact on the pressure drop, and the Foumeny and Montillet (dense packing) models carry out the accurate pressure drop prediction by considering the near-wall effect.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

The persistence of large scale structures. Part I. Primordial non-Gaussianity

Abstract We develop an analysis pipeline for characterizing the topology of large scale structure and extracting cosmological constraints based on persistent homology . Persistent homology is a technique from topological data analysis that quantifies the multiscale topology of a data set, in our context unifying the contributions of clusters, filament loops, and cosmic voids to cosmological constraints. We describe how this method captures the imprint of primordial local non-Gaussianity on the late-time distribution of dark matter halos, using a set of N-body simulations as a proxy for real data analysis. For our best single statistic, running the pipeline on several cubic volumes of size 40 (Gpc/h) 3 , we detect f NL loc =10 at 97.5% confidence on ~ 85% of the volumes. Additionally wetest our ability to resolve degeneracies betweenthe topological signature of f NL loc and variation of σ 8 and argue that correctly identifying nonzero f NL loc in this case is possible via an optimal template method. Our method relies on information living at $\mathcal{O}$(10) Mpc/h, a complementary scale with respect to commonly used methods such as the scale-dependent bias in the halo/galaxy power spectrum. Therefore, while still requiring a large volume, our method does not require sampling long-wavelength modes to constrain primordial non-Gaussianity. Moreover, our statistics are interpretable: we are able to reproduce previous results in certain limits and we make new predictions for unexplored observables, such as filament loops formed by dark matter halos in a simulation box.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Geant4Reweight: a framework for evaluating and propagating hadronic interaction uncertainties in Geant4

Geant4Reweight is an open-source C++ framework that allows users to weight tracks produced by the Geant4 particle transport Monte Carlo simulation according to hadron interaction cross section variations and estimate uncertainties in Geant4 interaction models by comparing the simulation’s hadron interaction cross section predictions to data. The ability to weight hadron transport as simulated by Geant4 is crucial to the propagation of systematic uncertainties related to secondary hadronic interactions in current and upcoming neutrino oscillation experiments, including MicroBooNE, NOvA, and DUNE, aswell as hadron test beam experiments such as ProtoDUNE. Here, we provide motivation for weighting hadron tracks in Geant4 in the context of systematic uncertainty propagation, a description of Geant4’s transport simulation technique, and a description of our weighting technique and fitting framework in the momentum range 0–10 GeV/c, which is typical for the hadrons produced by neutrino interactions in these experiments.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Hardware-Accelerated Ray Tracing of CAD-Based Geometry for Monte Carlo Radiation Transport

Monte Carlo radiation transport (MCRT) methods have been used to simulate radiation environments for many decades by tracking individual particles through a model to accumulate statistical information. MCRT geometry is historically formed using the constructive solid geometry (CSG). Recently, significant work has been performed to support simulations using computer-aided design (CAD)-based tessellated surfaces to support highly complex geometries. Ray tracing acceleration data structures from the rendering and visualization community are applied to accelerate particle tracking in CAD-based models. Despite these efforts, CSG representations provide the superior performance in surface intersection operations during particle flight. Concurrently, pseudo Monte Carlo methods have become prevalent in rendering applications to support more realistic models for scattering media, motivating innovations that are advantageous for MCRT simulations. Finally, the authors’ work extends these innovations by employing Intel’s Embree ray tracing kernel within a geometry toolkit for Monte Carlo to improve the simulation performance using CAD-based models by factors of 1.5 to 2.

42 ENGINEERING↗

gdess: A framework for evaluating simulated atmospheric CO 2 in Earth System Models

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) plays a key role in the global carbon cycle and global warming. Climate-carbon feedbacks are often studied and estimated using Earth System Models (ESMs), which couple together multiple model components—including the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and cryosphere—to jointly simulate mass and energy exchanges within and between these components. Despite tremendous advances, model intercomparisons and benchmarking are aspects of ESMs that warrant further improvement (Fer et al., 2021; Smith et al., 2014). Such benchmarking is critical because comparing the value of state variables in these simulations against observed values provides evidence for appropriately refining model components; moreover, researchers can learn much about Earth system dynamics in the process (Randall et al., 2019). We introduce `gdess` (a.k.a., Greenhouse gas Diagnostics for Earth System Simulations), which parses observational datasets and ESM simulation output, combines them to be in a consistent structure, computes statistical metrics, and generates diagnostic visualizations. In its current incarnation, `gdess` facilitates evaluating a model's ability to reproduce observed temporal and spatial variations of atmospheric CO 2 . The diagnostics implemented modularly in `gdess` support more rapid assessment and improvement of model-simulated global CO 2 sources and sinks associated with land and ocean ecosystem processes. We intend for this set of automated diagnostics to form an extensible, open source framework for future comparisons of simulated and observed concentrations of various greenhouse gases across Earth system models.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Measuring cosmological distances using cluster edges as a standard ruler

ABSTRACT The line-of-sight velocity dispersion profile of galaxy clusters exhibits a ‘kink’ corresponding to the spatial extent of orbiting galaxies. Because the spatial extent of a cluster is correlated with the amplitude of the velocity dispersion profile, we can utilize this feature as a gravity-calibrated standard ruler. Specifically, the amplitude of the velocity dispersion data allows us to infer the physical cluster size. Consequently, observations of the angular scale of the ‘kink’ in the profile can be translated into a distance measurement to the cluster. Assuming the relation between cluster radius and cluster velocity dispersion can be calibrated from simulations, we forecast that with existing data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey we will be able to measure the Hubble constant with 3.0 per cent precision. Implementing our method with data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) will result in a 1.3 per cent measurement of the Hubble constant. Adding cosmological supernova data improves the uncertainty of the DESI measurement to 0.7 per cent. While these error estimates are statistical only, they provide strong motivation for pursuing the necessary simulation program required to characterize and calibrate the systematic uncertainties impacting our proposed measurement. Whether or not our proposed measurement can in fact result in competitive H0 constraints will depend on what the eventual systematics floor for this method is.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DESI mock challenge: Halo and galaxy catalogues with the bias assignment method

We present a novel approach to the construction of mock galaxy catalogues for large-scale structure analysis based on the distribution of dark matter halos obtained with effective bias models at the field level. We aim to produce mock galaxy catalogues capable of generating accurate covariance matrices for a number of cosmological probes that are expected to be measured in current and forthcoming galaxy redshift surveys (e.g. two- and three-point statistics). The construction of the catalogues shown in this paper is part of a mock-comparison project within the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) collaboration. We use the bias assignment method ( BAM ) to model the statistics of halo distribution through a learning algorithm using a few detailed N-body simulations, and approximated gravity solvers based on Lagrangian perturbation theory. We introduce cosmic-web-dependent corrections to modelling redshift-space distortions at the N-body level – both in the halo and galaxy distributions –, as well as a multi-scale approach for accurate assignment of halo properties. Using specific models of halo occupation distributions to populate halos, we generate galaxy mocks with the expected number density and central-satellite fraction of emission-line galaxies, which are a key target of the DESI experiment. BAM generates mock catalogues with per cent accuracy in a number of summary statistics, such as the abundance, the two- and three-point statistics of halo distributions, both in real and redshift space. In particular, the mock galaxy catalogues display ~3%-10% accuracy in the multipoles of the power spectrum up to scales of k ~ 0.4 h -1 Mpc. We show that covariance matrices of two- and three-point statistics obtained with BAM display a similar structure to the reference simulation. BAM offers an efficient way to produce mock halo catalogues with accurate two- and three-point statistics and is able to generate a variety of multi-tracer catalogues with precise covariance matrices of several cosmological probes. We discuss future developments of the algorithm towards mock production in DESI and other galaxy-redshift surveys.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Dynamic data-driven multiscale modeling for predicting the degradation of a 316L stainless steel nuclear cladding material

Here, we have developed a long short-term memory stacked ensemble (LSTM-SE) surrogate modeling approach that can provide rapid predictions of microstructural evolution and the resultant mechanical properties of American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 316L series stainless steel (316LSS) fuel cladding under conditions of varying temperature and radiation dose rate. To acquire training data, we developed and implemented a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) model to simulate precipitation kinetics of M 23 C 6 , γ', and G phases within SS316L cladding. Experimentally reported precipitation kinetics of SS316L in literature were linked to the kinetic parameters of the simulated precipitation in our KMC model. The model was then used to simulate microstructure evolution under synthetically generated treatments of varying temperature and radiation dose rate, for periods of up to 3000 hours. Changes in volume fraction, number density, and particle size of precipitates were recorded, and particle area fractions were correlated using statistical methods to develop the surrogate model. Simultaneously, the mechanical properties of the simulated microstructures were evaluated using microstructure-based finite element method (FEM) analysis to determine the elastic modulus, yield stress, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation to failure of the aged microstructures. Using this approach, our surrogate model can predict precipitation behavior within 0.25% volume fraction and mechanical properties within 6% relative error from the values predicted by the KMC and FEM models using 50 training simulations as input. The trained recurrent neural network-based model can return estimations of precipitation kinetics and mechanical properties ~1000 times faster than the physics-based codes. This work demonstrates, as a proof of concept, that reactor material service lifetimes under variable service conditions can be predicted for a statistics-based model from a practicably obtainable dataset.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Decoding defect statistics from diffractograms via machine learning

Abstract Diffraction techniques can powerfully and nondestructively probe materials while maintaining high resolution in both space and time. Unfortunately, these characterizations have been limited and sometimes even erroneous due to the difficulty of decoding the desired material information from features of the diffractograms. Currently, these features are identified non-comprehensively via human intuition, so the resulting models can only predict a subset of the available structural information. In the present work we show (i) how to compute machine-identified features that fully summarize a diffractogram and (ii) how to employ machine learning to reliably connect these features to an expanded set of structural statistics. To exemplify this framework, we assessed virtual electron diffractograms generated from atomistic simulations of irradiated copper. When based on machine-identified features rather than human-identified features, our machine-learning model not only predicted one-point statistics (i.e. density) but also a two-point statistic (i.e. spatial distribution) of the defect population. Hence, this work demonstrates that machine-learning models that input machine-identified features significantly advance the state of the art for accurately and robustly decoding diffractograms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Statistics-Based Threshold for the RMS-Energy Oscillation Detector

System operators and reliability coordinators currently rely on extensive baselining studies to set thresholds for their oscillation detectors. The resulting thresholds are based largely on engineering judgment and may vary significantly between organizations. In this paper, statistical distribution theory is used to derive a detection threshold for the widely deployed root-mean-square (RMS)-energy detector. This expression provides a theoretical basis for the detector's configuration, simplifies the process of selecting the threshold, and enables improved consistency among organizations that need to coordinate during system-wide events. Three methods for calculating the threshold using synchrophasor measurements are also proposed. These methods ensure that the threshold can be calculated reliably for various applications. Tests with simulated and field-measured data demonstrate that the statistics-based threshold provides consistent detection of grid disturbances while maintaining a low probability of false alarm.

Follum, James D.↗

Development of a Time-Height Profile Assimilation Technique for Large-Eddy Simulation

Mesoscale-to-microscale coupling (MMC) aims to address the limited scope of traditional large-eddy simulations by driving the microscale flow with information concerning large-scale weather patterns provided by mesoscale models. We present a new offline MMC technique for horizontally homogeneous microscale flow conditions, in which internal forcing terms are computed based on mesoscale time–height profiles of mean-flow quantities. The advantage of such an approach is that it can be used to drive a microscale simulation with either mesoscale or observational data, and that it does not rely on specific terms in the mesoscale budget equations, which are typically not part of the default output of a mesoscale solver. The performance of the proposed profile assimilation technique is assessed based on the simulation of a typical diurnal cycle over the Scaled Wind Farm Technology site in west Texas. Results indicate that simple data assimilation techniques lead to unphysically high levels of shear and turbulence caused by the algorithm’s inability to cope with inaccuracies in the mesoscale time–height profiles. Modifying the algorithm to account for vertical coherence in the mesoscale source terms gives the microscale solver a greater ability to correct the provided mesoscale time–height profiles, leading to improved predictions of shear and turbulence statistics. The resulting turbulence statistics are in good agreement with meteorological tower observations and simulation results obtained with state-of-the-art coupling techniques using mesoscale budget components.

data assimilation↗

Morphological analysis of the polarized synchrotron emission with WMAP and Planck

The bright polarized synchrotron emission, away from the Galactic plane, originates mostly from filamentary structures. We implement a filament finder algorithm which allows the detection of bright elongated structures in polarized intensity maps. We analyse the sky at 23 and 30 GHz as observed respectively by WMAP and Planck. We identify 19 filaments, 13 of which have been previously observed. For each filament, we study the polarization fraction, finding values typically larger than for the areas outside the filaments, excluding the Galactic plane, and a fraction of about 30% is reached in two filaments. We study the polarization spectral indices of the filaments, and find a spectral index consistent with the values found in previous analysis (about -3.1) for more diffuse regions. Decomposing the polarization signals into the E and B families, we find that most of the filaments are detected in P E , but not in P B . We then focus on understanding the statistical properties of the diffuse regions of the synchrotron emission at 23 GHz. Using Minkowski functionals and tensors, we analyse the non-Gaussianity and statistical isotropy of the polarized intensity maps. For a sky coverage corresponding to 80% of the fainter emission, and on scales smaller than 6 degrees (ℓ > 30), the deviations from Gaussianity and isotropy are significantly higher than 3σ. The level of deviation decreases for smaller scales, however, it remains significantly high for the lowest analised scale (~ 1.5°). When 60% sky coverage is analysed, we find that the deviations never exceed 3σ. Finally, we present a simple data-driven model to generate non-Gaussian and anisotropic simulations of the synchrotron polarized emission. The simulations are fitted in order to match the spectral and statistical properties of the faintest 80% sky coverage of the data maps.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Qualitative Conditions for Reasonable Estimates of Kerma Using Total and Kerma Cross Section Attenuation of Photons

Performing a full adjoint simulation in the Integrated Tiger Series (ITS) can be time consuming to obtain statistically significant results. The ray-trace capability in ITS allows for rapid scoping calculations of the uncollided kerma from photon sources without needing to run a full adjoint simulation. However, the uncollided estimate will always underestimate the full-physics kerma since it neglects scattered radiation, and under certain conditions, the result from the capability may not provide a sufficiently accurate estimate of the full-physics kerma. To exemplify the conditions in which the capability provides reasonable estimates, two problem geometries with different materials are simulated using the full adjoint capability as well as the ray-trace capability with a total cross section treatment and a new kerma-attenuation cross-section treatment. The results are then compared to show under which conditions the estimates are accurate. Reasonable estimates are provided from the ray-trace feature when there is minimal scattering into a region of interest occurring, such as with low-Z material and when the photons travel through small amounts of material.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Impact of solar geoengineering on temperatures over the Indonesian Maritime Continent

Climate change has been projected to increase the intensity and magnitude of extreme temperature in Indonesia. Solar radiation management (SRM) has been proposed as a strategy to temporarily combat global warming, buying time for negative emissions. Though the global impacts of SRM have been extensively studied in recent years, regional impacts, especially in the tropics, have received much less attention. This paper investigates the potential stratospheric sulfate aerosol geoengineering to modify mean and extreme temperature, as well as the relative humidity and wet bulb temperature (WBT) change over Indonesian Maritime Continent (IMC) based on simulations from three different earth system models. We applied statistical downscaling and corrected the bias of model output to reproduce historical temperatures and relative humidity over IMC. We compared SRM as specified by the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) G4 experiment – 5 Tg of SO 2 into the lower stratosphere between 2020 and 2069 – concurrent with the RCP4.5 emissions scenario. SRM is able to significantly reduce the temperature means and extremes, and although differences in magnitude of response and spatial pattern occur, there is a generally consistent response. Additionally, the spatial response of changes forced by RCP4.5 scenario and SRM impact is notably heterogeneous in the archipelago, highlighting uncertainties that would be critical in assessing socio-economic consequences of both doing, and not doing SRM. In general, SRM has bigger impacts in reducing temperatures over land than oceans, and the southern monsoon region shows more variability. SRM is also effective at reducing the likelihood of WBT > 27OC events compared to RCP4.5 after some years of SRM deployment as well as during the post-termination period of SRM. Regional downscaling may be an effective tool in obtaining policy-relevant information about local effects of different future scenarios involving SRM.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

From atomistic models to machine learning: Predictive design of nanocarbons under extreme conditions

The formation of technologically valuable nanocarbon structures under extreme conditions, such as those produced during high-explosive detonations, remains poorly understood but holds significant potential for the development of controlled synthesis pathways. While detonation shockwaves provide the high-pressure, high-temperature environment required for nanodiamond formation, subsequent cooling and decompression dictate whether the diamond phase is preserved or transformed into other nanocarbon structures. Here, in this study, we employ GPU-accelerated reactive molecular dynamics (ReaxFF) simulations to investigate the graphitization and structural remodeling of detonation nanodiamond under nonlinear quench and pressure-release trajectories. We further investigate how the initial nanodiamond morphology; cuboctahedral, octahedral, or hexagonal prism influences the resulting transformation products. Evolution of nanostructure, allotrope (via simulated x-ray diffraction), carbon hybridization, and ring statistics are tracked during a two-stage quench from 5000 K to 60 GPa. Rapid cooling combined with slow decompression optimizes cubic diamond retention, whereas slow cooling with rapid pressure release promotes surface-to-core graphitization, producing concentric sp 2 -hybridized layers and hollowed inner shells. Octahedral nanodiamonds evolve into carbon nano-onions, initially forming bucky diamonds that progressively transform into fully sp 2 -hybridized structures, while hexagonal prisms preferentially form parallel-stacked graphite layers resembling carbon dots. Transient hexagonal diamond (lonsdaleite) emerges as an interfacial phase, suggesting potential reversibility in the shock-induced graphite-to-diamond transformation pathway transformation route. To extend predictive capabilities, we trained machine learning (ML) regressors on over 10 5 node-hours of molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) model reliably predicts the number of graphitized layers from temperature–pressure trajectories with a coefficient of determination (R 2 ) exceeding 0.90. This high predictive fidelity enables efficient, high-throughput mapping of the synthesis parameter space for optimized graphitization outcomes. Collectively, morphological control combined with optimized quench–decompression conditions promote the selective synthesis of nanocarbon allotropes. This work establishes a data-driven framework for the rational, a priori design of carbon nanomaterials for applications in energy storage, sensing, and biomedicine.

Detonation nanodiamond remodeling↗

AIS-based characterization of navigation conflicts along the US Atlantic Coast prior to development of wind energy

This study characterizes navigation conflicts in a region with a large traffic volume along the US Atlantic Coast, utilizing Automated Identification System (AIS) data for 2010. The region includes areas proposed for wind energy development. The characterization could be useful in evaluating the effect of offshore wind areas on navigation conflicts. The study processes the AIS data to provide pairwise comparisons of vessel interactions (encounters and near-misses) as they occurred. Using the vessel encounter data, analyses are made using a ‘blind’ vessel assumption to evaluate the potential for both near-misses and collisions. Then statistical analyses are made to estimate the point values and uncertainty for each type of encounter (crossing, head-on, overtaking). Examination of the frequency/number of collisions from actual observations is made. The examination of actual near-misses, potential near-misses, and potential collisions provides comparable results in the number of near-misses and collisions. The potential near-miss analyses include an examination of the timing of responses made by vessels to prevent near-misses. This informed the statistical analysis but may also have utility in the simulation of navigation conflicts.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

The Sensitivity of Hyporheic Exchange to Fractal Properties of Riverbeds

Hyporheic exchange in riverbeds is driven by current-bed topography interactions. Because riverbeds exhibit topographic roughness across scales, from individual grains to bedforms and bars, they can exhibit fractal patterns. This study analyzed the influence of fractal properties of riverbed topography on hyporheic exchange. A set of synthetic fractal riverbeds with different scaling statistics was used as inputs to sequentially coupled numerical simulations of turbulent channel flow and hyporheic flow. In the analysis, the maximum power spectrum (dune size) and the fractal dimension (topographic complexity) were considered as independent variables and we then investigated how interfacial fluxes and hyporheic travel times are functionally related to these variables. As the maximum power spectrum increases (i.e., dune height to flow depth ratio), the average interfacial flux increases logarithmically whereas it increases exponentially with an increase in fractal dimension. Hyporheic exchange is more sensitive to additional roughness (larger fractal dimensions) than to bedform size (larger maximum power). Our results imply that fractal properties of riverbeds are crucial to predicting hyporheic exchange. The predictive relationships we propose could be integrated with reduced complexity, large-scale models. Further, they can also be used to design artificial topographies that target hyporheic ecosystem services.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗