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At least 541 records · Page 30

Detecting dark matter substructures on small scales with fast radio bursts

The matter power spectrum is only weakly constrained on subgalactic scales, while physics beyond the Standard Model can leave unique imprints, especially on sub-parsec scales. We propose measuring the arrival-time difference of fast radio bursts (FRBs) along two adjacent sightlines as a new probe to dark matter substructures on scales down to ∼ 1 AU . We discuss two observational scenarios in which it may be possible to place interesting constraints on such models through the monitoring of repeating FRB sources: (i) By sending radio receivers to space to form a baseline of tens of AU or more and measuring the temporal variation of the arrival-time difference between receivers. (ii) By measuring the temporal variation of the arrival-time difference between two lensed images of one strongly lensed repeater. In both scenarios, obtaining interesting constraints requires correlating the voltage time series to measure the radio signal arrival time to sub-nanosecond precision. We find that two radio dishes separated by 20 AU may be sensitive to the enhancement of small-scale structures at ∼ 10 - 8 M ⊙ masses in the QCD axion dark matter scenario, or from an early epoch of matter domination with a reheating temperature up to 60 MeV. Other dark matter models, such as those composed of ∼ 10 - 13 M ⊙ primordial black holes produced during inflation, would also be probed by this method. We further show that a strong lensing situation of multiple images provides an equivalent ∼ 2000 AU ( σ v / 10 3 km s - 1 ) ( δ t / 10 yr ) baseline, for a typical velocity of dark matter substructures σ v and an observational time span δ . This is much more sensitive, but with the uncertainty that intervening decoherence from the interstellar medium may degrade the timing precision, and that spatial variation in the FRB emission spot may result in confounding signals. We show that the lensing magnifications of Type Ia supernovae constrain a similar quantity to such FRB timing, with present limits being equivalent to ruling out the same parameter space that would be probed by a 0.14 AU baseline.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Preconditioned least‐squares Petrov–Galerkin reduced order models

Abstract In this article, we introduce a methodology for improving the accuracy and efficiency of reduced order models (ROMs) constructed using the least‐squares Petrov–Galerkin (LSPG) projection method through the introduction of preconditioning. Unlike prior related work, which focuses on preconditioning the linear systems arising within the ROM numerical solution procedure to improve linear solver performance, our approach leverages a preconditioning matrix directly within the minimization problem underlying the LSPG formulation. Applying preconditioning in this way has the potential to improve ROM accuracy for several reasons. First, preconditioning the LSPG formulation changes the norm defining the residual minimization, which can improve the residual‐based stability constant bounding the ROM solution's error. The incorporation of a preconditioner into the LSPG formulation can have the additional effect of scaling the components of the residual being minimized to make them roughly of the same magnitude, which can be beneficial when applying the LSPG method to problems with disparate scales (e.g., dimensional equations, multi‐physics problems). Importantly, we demonstrate that an “ideal preconditioned” LSPG ROM (a ROM in which the preconditioner is the inverse of the Jacobian of its corresponding full order model) emulates projection of the full order model solution increment onto the reduced basis. This quantity defines a lower bound on the error of a ROM solution for a given reduced basis. By designing preconditioners that approximate the Jacobian inverse—as is common in designing preconditioners for solving linear systems—it is possible to obtain a ROM whose error approaches this lower bound. The proposed approach is evaluated on several mechanical and thermo‐mechanical problems implemented within the Albany HPC code and run in the predictive regime, with prediction across material parameter space. We demonstrate numerically that the introduction of simple Jacobi, Gauss‐Seidel, and ILU preconditioners into the proper orthogonal decomposition/LSPG formulation reduces significantly the ROM solution error, the reduced Jacobian condition number, the number of nonlinear iterations required to reach convergence, and the wall time (thereby improving efficiency). Moreover, our numerical results reveal that the introduction of preconditioning can deliver a robust and accurate solution for test cases in which the unpreconditioned LSPG method fails to converge.

Lindsay, Payton↗

Goal-oriented a-posteriori estimation of model error as an aid to parameter estimation

In this work, a Bayesian model calibration framework is presented that utilizes goal-oriented a-posterior error estimates in quantities of interest (QoIs) for classes of high-fidelity models characterized by PDEs. It is shown that for a large class of computational models, it is possible to develop a computationally inexpensive procedure for calibrating parameters of high-fidelity models of physical events when the parameters of low-fidelity (surrogate) models are known with acceptable accuracy. The main ingredients in the proposed model calibration scheme are goal-oriented a-posteriori estimates of error in QoIs computed using a so-called lower fidelity model compared to those of an uncalibrated higher fidelity model. The estimates of error in QoIs are used to define likelihood functions in Bayesian inversion analysis. A standard Bayesian approach is employed to compute the posterior distribution of model parameters of high-fidelity models. As applications, parameters in a quasi-linear second-order elliptic boundary-value problem (BVP) are calibrated using a second-order linear elliptic BVP. In a second application, parameters of a tumor growth model involving nonlinear time-dependent PDEs are calibrated using a lower fidelity linear tumor growth model with known parameter values.

A-posterior estimates↗

The discrete Green's function paradigm for two-way coupled Euler–Lagrange simulation

We outline a methodology for the simulation of two-way coupled particle-laden flows. The drag force that couples fluid and particle momentum depends on the undisturbed fluid velocity at the particle location, and this latter quantity requires modelling. We demonstrate that the undisturbed fluid velocity, in the low particle Reynolds number limit, can be related exactly to the discrete Green's function of the discrete Stokes equations. In addition to hydrodynamics, the method can be extended to other physics present in particle-laden flows such as heat transfer and electromagnetism. The discrete Green's functions for the Navier–Stokes equations are obtained at low particle Reynolds number in a two-plane channel geometry. We perform verification at different Reynolds numbers for a particle settling under gravity parallel to a plane wall, for different wall-normal separations. Compared with other point-particle schemes, the Stokesian discrete Green's function approach is the most robust at low particle Reynolds number, accurate at all wall-normal separations. To account for degradation in accuracy away from the wall at finite Reynolds number, we extend the present methodology to an Oseen-like discrete Green's function. The extended discrete Green's function method is found to be accurate within 6% at all wall-normal separations for particle Reynolds numbers up to 24. Furthermore, the discrete Green's function approach is well suited to dilute systems with significant mass loading and this is highlighted by comparison against other Euler–Lagrange as well as particle-resolved simulations of gas–solid turbulent channel flow. Strong particle–turbulence coupling is observed in the form of turbulence modification and turbophoresis suppression, and these observations are placed in context of the different methods.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Linear magnetoresistance with a universal energy scale in the strong-coupling superconductor Mo8Ga41 without quantum criticality

The recent discovery of a nonsaturating linear magnetoresistance in several correlated electron systems near a quantum critical point has revealed an interesting interplay between the linear magnetoresistance and the zero-field linear-in-temperature resistivity. These studies suggest a possible role of quantum criticality on the observed linear magnetoresistance. Here we report our discovery of a nonsaturating, linear magnetoresistance in Mo 8 Ga 41 , a nearly isotropic strong electron-phonon coupling superconductor with a linear-in-temperature resistivity from the transition temperature to ~ 55 K. The growth of the resistivity in field is comparable to that in temperature, provided that both quantities are measured in the energy unit. Overall, our data sets are remarkably similar to magnetoresistance data of the optimally doped La 2 - x Sr x CuO 4 , despite the clearly different crystal and electronic structures, and the apparent absence of quantum critical physics in Mo 8 Ga 41 . A new empirical scaling formula is developed, which is able to capture the key features of the low-temperature magnetoresistance data of Mo 8 Ga 41 , as well as the data of La 2 - x Sr x CuO 4 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Learning-based approach to plasticity in athermal sheared amorphous packings: Improving softness

The plasticity of amorphous solids undergoing shear is characterized by quasi-localized rearrangements of particles. While many models of plasticity exist, the precise relationship between the plastic dynamics and the structure of a particle’s local environment remains an open question. Previously, machine learning was used to identify a structural predictor of rearrangements called “softness.” Although softness has been shown to predict which particles will rearrange with high accuracy, the method can be difficult to implement in experiments where data are limited and the combinations of descriptors it identifies are often difficult to interpret physically. Here, we address both of these weaknesses, presenting two major improvements to the standard softness method. First, we present a natural representation of each particle’s observed mobility, allowing for the use of statistical models that are both simpler and provide greater accuracy in limited datasets. Second, we employ persistent homology as a systematic means of identifying simple, topologically informed, structural quantities that are easy to interpret and measure experimentally. We test our methods on two-dimensional athermal packings of soft spheres under quasi-static shear. We find that the same structural information that predicts small variations in the response is also predictive of where plastic events will localize. We also find that an excellent accuracy is achieved in athermal sheared packings using simply a particle’s species and the number of nearest neighbor contacts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The CMS Phase 2 Outer Tracker Analyzer of Test Outputs - POTATO!

The Phase-2 upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), also known as the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) is designed to achieve peak instantaneous luminosities which is about an order of magnitude higher than the nominal design value of $10^{34}~cm^{-2}s^{-1}$ delivering a total of atleast $3000 fb^{-1}$ data over 10 years of operation at $\sqrt{s}~=~14~TeV$. One crucial aspect of the CMS Phase-2 detector upgrade is the replacement of the existing tracking detector in order to deal with the extreme HL-LHC conditions, retaining and further expanding the physics performances achieved in the previous years. The outer part of the upgraded tracker (OT), will be equipped with over 13,000 macro Pixel-Strip (PS) and Strip-Strip (2S) modules! Module production is distributed across centers worldwide and necessitates coordinated efforts and standardized procedures. Along with production and assembly of the modules, Fermilab OT group is also working on a tool, Phase 2 Outer Tracker Analyzer of Test Outputs (POTATO) that will analyze, grade, upload and manage the large quantity of files to be stored in the centralized Database (DB). In this contribution a brief overview of the module testing and the power and dire need of POTATO to handle this large number of test outputs will be presented.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The CMS Phase 2 Outer Tracker Analyzer of Test Outputs - POTATO!

The Phase-2 upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), also known as the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) is designed to achieve peak instantaneous luminosities which is about an order of magnitude higher than the nominal design value of $10^{34}~cm^{-2}s^{-1}$ delivering a total of atleast $3000 fb^{-1}$ data over 10 years of operation at $\sqrt{s}~=~14~TeV$. One crucial aspect of the CMS Phase-2 detector upgrade is the replacement of the existing tracking detector in order to deal with the extreme HL-LHC conditions, retaining and further expanding the physics performances achieved in the previous years. The outer part of the upgraded tracker (OT), will be equipped with over 13,000 macro Pixel-Strip (PS) and Strip-Strip (2S) modules! Module production is distributed across centers worldwide and necessitates coordinated efforts and standardized procedures. Along with production and assembly of the modules, Fermilab OT group is also working on a tool, Phase 2 Outer Tracker Analyzer of Test Outputs (POTATO) that will analyze, grade, upload and manage the large quantity of files to be stored in the centralized Database (DB). In this contribution a brief overview of the module testing and the power and dire need of POTATO to handle this large number of test outputs will be presented.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Gifts from anomalies: Exact results for Landau phase transitions in metals

Non-Fermi liquid phenomena arise naturally near critical points of Landau ordering transitions in metallic systems, where strong fluctuations of a bosonic order parameter destroy coherent quasiparticles. Despite progress in developing controlled perturbative techniques, much of the low energy physics of such metallic quantum critical points remains poorly understood. We demonstrate that exact, non-perburbative results can be obtained for both optical transport and static susceptibilities in “Hertz-Millis” theories of Fermi surfaces coupled to critical bosons. Such models possess a large emergent symmetry and anomaly structure, which we leverage to fix these quantities. In particular, we show that in the infrared limit, the boson self energy at zero wave vector, \mathbf{q}=0 𝐪 = 0 , is a constant independent of frequency, and the real part of the optical conductivity, \sigma(\omega) σ ( ω ) , is purely a delta function Drude peak with no other corrections. Therefore, further frequency dependence in the boson self energy or optical conductivity can only come from irrelevant operators in a clean system. Exact relations between Fermi liquid parameters as the critical point is approached from the disordered phase are also obtained. The absence of a universal, power law frequency dependence in the boson self energy contrasts with previous perturbative calculations, and we explain the origin of this difference.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Emergent unitarity, all-loop cuts and integrations from the ABJM amplituhedron

We elaborate on aspects of a new positive geometry proposed recently, which was conjectured to be the four-point amplituhedron for ABJM theory. We study generalized unitarity cuts from the geometry, and in particular we prove that (1) the four-point integrand satisfies perturbative unitarity (or optical theorem) to all loops, which follows directly from the geometry, and (2) vanishing cuts involving odd-point amplitudes follow from the “bipartite” nature of the associated “negative geometries”, which justifies their appearance in ABJM theory. We also take a first step in integrating the forms of these negative geometries and obtain an infrared-finite quantity up to two loops, from which we extract the cusp anomalous dimension at leading order.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

tapir: A tool for topologies, amplitudes, partial fraction decomposition and input for reductions

The demand for precision predictions in the field of high energy physics has dramatically increased over recent years. Experiments conducted at the LHC, as well as precision measurements at the intensity frontier such as Belle II require equally precise theoretical predictions to make full use of the acquired data. To match the experimental precision, second-, third- and, for certain quantities, even higher-order calculations in perturbative quantum field theory are required. To facilitate such calculations, computer software automating as many steps as possible is required. Yet, each calculation poses different challenges and thus, a high level of configurability is required. In this context we present tapir: a tool for identification, manipulation and minimization of Feynman integral families. It is designed to integrate in toolchains based on the computer algebra system FORM, the use of which is common practice in the field. tapir can be used to reduce the complexity of multi-loop problems with cut-filters, topology mapping, partial fraction decomposition and alike. Program Title:tapir CPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/ptc9t46xyn.1 Developer's repository link:https://gitlab.com/tapir-devs/tapir Licensing provisions: GPLv3 Programming language:python 3, C++ Nature of problem: Multi-loop computations require the automatization of a large number of different tasks related to Feynman integral topologies. Among them are the identification and minimization of integral topologies, partial fraction decomposition of topologies in the case of linearly dependent propagators as well as mapping scalar products of loop momenta to scalar functions. Solution method: The minimization of topologies is performed by comparison of their respective Nickel indices [1], even further minimization utilizes Pak's algorithm [2]. To efficiently map scalar products of loop momenta to scalar functions FORM [3] code is generated. Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: Minimization based on Pak's algorithm slows down for many lines and scales. A coarser minimization using the Nickel indices, however, is still possible. [1]B. Nickel, D. Meiron, G.A.J. Baker, Compilation of 2-pt and 4-pt graphs for continuous spin model, Report, University of Guelph, 1977.[2]A. Pak, J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 368 (2012) 012049, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/368/1/012049, arXiv:1111.0868.[3]B. Ruijl, T. Ueda, J. Vermaseren, FORM version 4.2, arXiv:1707.06453, 7 2017.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Validation of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 for Steady-State Single-Phase Natural Circulation

The development of numerical software for engineering applications requires the validation of the code against experimental benchmark datasets. To support the validation of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 in simulating the single-phase natural circulation within nuclear reactor systems, high-precision steady-state experiments are performed to capture single-phase natural circulation phenomena on an existing scaled facility with comprehensive instrumentation. Forced convection tests are designed precisely capturing the facility’s critical thermal-hydraulic parameters required for one-dimensional modeling, and a comprehensive single-phase natural circulation dataset is obtained with well-documented experimental uncertainty and facility description. Analysis and discussion based on the finalized dataset confirm the dataset’s ability in capturing dominant phenomena and address important physical interpretation of parameters. The dataset reported in this project provides a valuable benchmark resource for the validation of system analysis codes under single-phase natural circulation inside nuclear reactors. Validation of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 is then performed against the obtained benchmark dataset to confirm the capability of its physics model in simulating the steady-state single-phase natural circulation. The experimental facility is modeled in the candidate code. Solution verification is performed using Richardson-extrapolation-based estimators to quantify and restrict numerical errors from discretization. Numerical uncertainty originating from finite maximum pseudo-transient time is also quantified and restricted. Input uncertainty provided by the benchmark dataset is forward propagated through the candidate code, directly quantifying the simulation output in a Monte Carlo approach. The composition of the output uncertainty is further determined by the estimators of Sobol’ indices through a variance-based sensitivity analysis. With uncertainty quantified for each individual condition, detailed comparison between the simulation results and experimental data is performed covering the whole dataset, which shows consistent agreement for all important quantities. The validation activity reported in this project demonstrates that SAS4A/SASSYS-1 can predict the primary parameters with satisfactorily accuracy under steady-state single-phase natural circulation.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Constraints on the Muon Fraction and Density Profile in Neutron Stars

Muons in neutron stars (NSs) play especially important roles in addressing several interesting new physics questions associated with detecting as well as understanding interactions and astrophysical effects of muonphilic dark matter particles. The key model inputs for studying the latter are the total muon mass M μ , the muon mass fraction M μ /M NS over the NS mass M NS , and the muon radial density profile ρ μ (r) in NSs of varying masses. We investigate these quantities within a minimum model for the core of NSs consisting of neutrons, protons, electrons, and muons using an explicitly isospin-dependent parametric equation of state (EOS) constrained by available nuclear laboratory experiments and the latest astrophysical observations of NS masses, radii, and tidal deformabilities. Here, we found that the absolutely maximum muon mass M μ and its mass fraction M μ /M NS in the most massive NSs allowed by causality are about 0.025 M ⊙ and 1.1%, respectively. For the most massive NS of mass 2.14 M ⊙ observed so far, they reduce to about 0.020 M ⊙ and 0.9%, respectively. We also study respective effects of individual parameters describing the EOS of high-density neutron-rich nucleonic matter on the muon contents in NSs with varying masses. We found that the most important but uncertain nuclear physics ingredient for determining the muon contents in NSs is the high-density nuclear symmetry energy.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Data transfers for full core heterogeneous reactor high- fidelity multiphysics studies

Multiphysics simulations for nuclear reactor analysis are usually performed by resorting to operator splitting and fixed point iterations between single-physics solvers. This enables the separate solution of each physics, such as neutronics, fuel performance, and thermal hydraulics, on meshes tailored to the requirements of the respective numerical discretizations of the equations. As the equations are coupled, several fields must be transferred between single-physics solves. Projecting fields between meshes while preserving order of accuracy, conservation properties, and mapping non-overlapping geometries is a complex endeavor. This conference paper will present the transfers as implemented in MOOSE, which can handle arbitrary meshes, arbitrary mappings, conservation of integral quantities, and are made to scale with distributed simulations on both ends of the transfers. Their adequacy for advanced nuclear reactor multiphysics coupling is shown through examples and numerical studies.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Evolutionary reinforcement learning of dynamical large deviations

In this work, we show how to bound and calculate the likelihood of dynamical large deviations using evolutionary reinforcement learning. An agent, a stochastic model, propagates a continuous-time Monte Carlo trajectory and receives a reward conditioned upon the values of certain path-extensive quantities. Evolution produces progressively fitter agents, potentially allowing the calculation of a piece of a large-deviation rate function for a particular model and path-extensive quantity. For models with small state spaces, the evolutionary process acts directly on rates, and for models with large state spaces, the process acts on the weights of a neural network that parameterizes the model's rates. This approach shows how path-extensive physics problems can be considered within a framework widely used in machine learning.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A comprehensive guide to CAN IDS data and introduction of the ROAD dataset

Although ubiquitous in modern vehicles, Controller Area Networks (CANs) lack basic security properties and are easily exploitable. A rapidly growing field of CAN security research has emerged that seeks to detect intrusions or anomalies on CANs. Producing vehicular CAN data with a variety of intrusions is a difficult task for most researchers as it requires expensive assets and deep expertise. To illuminate this task, we introduce the first comprehensive guide to the existing open CAN intrusion detection system (IDS) datasets. We categorize attacks on CANs including fabrication (adding frames, e.g., flooding or targeting and ID), suspension (removing an ID’s frames), and masquerade attacks (spoofed frames sent in lieu of suspended ones). We provide a quality analysis of each dataset; an enumeration of each datasets’ attacks, benefits, and drawbacks; categorization as real vs. simulated CAN data and real vs. simulated attacks; whether the data is raw CAN data or signal-translated; number of vehicles/CANs; quantity in terms of time; and finally a suggested use case of each dataset. State-of-the-art public CAN IDS datasets are limited to real fabrication (simple message injection) attacks and simulated attacks often in synthetic data, lacking fidelity. In general, the physical effects of attacks on the vehicle are not verified in the available datasets. Only one dataset provides signal-translated data but is missing a corresponding “raw” binary version. This issue pigeon-holes CAN IDS research into testing on limited and often inappropriate data (usually with attacks that are too easily detectable to truly test the method). The scarcity of appropriate data has stymied comparability and reproducibility of results for researchers. As our primary contribution, we present the Real ORNL Automotive Dynamometer (ROAD) CAN IDS dataset, consisting of over 3.5 hours of one vehicle’s CAN data. ROAD contains ambient data recorded during a diverse set of activities, and attacks of increasing stealth with multiple variants and instances of real (i.e. non-simulated) fuzzing, fabrication, unique advanced attacks, and simulated masquerade attacks. To facilitate a benchmark for CAN IDS methods that require signal-translated inputs, we also provide the signal time series format for many of the CAN captures. Our contributions aim to facilitate appropriate benchmarking and needed comparability in the CAN IDS research field.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Quantum Thermodynamics of Nonequilibrium Processes in Lattice Gauge Theories

A key objective in nuclear and high-energy physics is to describe nonequilibrium dynamics of matter, e.g., in the early Universe and in particle colliders, starting from the standard model of particle physics. Classical computing methods, via the framework of lattice gauge theory, have experienced limited success in this mission. Quantum simulation of lattice gauge theories holds promise for overcoming computational limitations. Because of local constraints (Gauss’s laws), lattice gauge theories have an intricate Hilbert-space structure. This structure complicates the definition of thermodynamic properties of systems coupled to reservoirs during equilibrium and nonequilibrium processes. We show how to define thermodynamic quantities such as work and heat using strong-coupling thermodynamics, a framework that has recently burgeoned within the field of quantum thermodynamics. Our definitions suit instantaneous quenches, simple nonequilibrium processes undertaken in quantum simulators. To illustrate our framework, we compute the work and heat exchanged during a quench in a Z 2 lattice gauge theory coupled to matter in 1+1 dimensions. Here, the thermodynamic quantities, as functions of the quench parameter, evidence a phase transition. For general thermal states, we derive a simple relation between a quantum many-body system’s entanglement Hamiltonian, measurable with quantum-information-processing tools, and the Hamiltonian of mean force, used to define strong-coupling thermodynamic quantities.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Encoder–decoder neural network for solving the nonlinear Fokker–Planck–Landau collision operator in XGC

An encoder–decoder neural network has been used to examine the possibility for acceleration of a partial integro-differential equation, the Fokker–Planck–Landau collision operator. This is part of the governing equation in the massively parallel particle-in-cell code XGC, which is used to study turbulence in fusion energy devices. The neural network emphasizes physics-inspired learning, where it is taught to respect physical conservation constraints of the collision operator by including them in the training loss, along with the ℓ 2 loss. In particular, network architectures used for the computer vision task of semantic segmentation have been used for training. A penalization method is used to enforce the ‘soft’ constraints of the system and integrate error in the conservation properties into the loss function. During training, quantities representing the particle density, momentum and energy for all species of the system are calculated at each configuration vertex, mirroring the procedure in XGC. This simple training has produced a median relative loss, across configuration space, of the order of 10 –4 , which is low enough if the error is of random nature, but not if it is of drift nature in time steps. The run time for the current Picard iterative solver of the operator is O(n 2 ), where n is the number of plasma species. As the XGC1 code begins to attack problems including a larger number of species, the collision operator will become expensive computationally, making the neural network solver even more important, especially since its training only scales as O(n). Here, a wide enough range of collisionality has been considered in the training data to ensure the full domain of collision physics is captured. An advanced technique to decrease the losses further will be subject of a subsequent report. Eventual work will include expansion of the network to include multiple plasma species.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗