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At least 577 records · Page 32

Summer Report: Tool Integration for Variable-Precision Computing

This summer I worked in the tools group of the variable-precision computing effort at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). I coordinated an integration project that combined three existing tools into a single pipeline for automated mixed-precision tuning at the source code level. This involved coordinating efforts between several different project groups and making improvements to all three tools. Two of the tools are already available publicly as open-source projects, and the third has been submitted for release. This document serves as an overview of the summer's efforts, focusing on our contributions as well as ideas for future work.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Precision Measurements with Low Energy Neutrons (Final Report)

This project encompassed fives years of effort in three areas of precision measurements with low energy neutrons: a) hadronic weak interactions, b) decay correlations, and c) electric dipole moment. These experiments encompass the scientific program of the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline (FnPB) at the SNS, ORNL. This grant supported our responsibilities in each of the approved experiments at the FnPB (in order of schedule): NPDGamma (post run), n- 3 He (taking data), Nab (Jan 2016), and nEDM, in addition to the BL3 beamline lifetime experiment at NIST. We focused on three principal activities: a) development of techniques for the design a fabrication of low-field precision surface current electromagnetic coils, b) development of high-speed digital acquisition systems involving real-time digital pulse processing, and high-volume offline waveform processing, and c) experimental data analysis.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Precise and ultra-stable laser polarization control for polarized electron beam generation

Parity-violating scattering of helicity-flipping polarized electron beam has developed over the past decades into a key tool to study both the structure of electroweak interaction and the structure of nucleons. It has been used in the success of many nuclear physics programs such as HAPPEX in Jefferson Lab’s Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF). The helicity-flipping polarized electrons are generated by using circular polarized laser whose polarization is flipped by a polarization controller. Raytum Photonics will develop a precise and ultra-stable circular laser polarization flipping system. This system uses our state-of-art transverse dual DKDP crystal modulator driven by our innovative digital voltage switching driver. It will help to achieve the objectives specified in the topic 29e to develop polarized electron beam sources with high flipping frequency (<2 kHz) and very small helicity-correlation changes in beam parameters. In Phase I, we developed the dual DKDP crystal modulator and the voltage switching driver. The performance of the modulator met almost all of the specifications proposed in Phase I proposal. We also built a bench top laser polarization flipping system and performed laser-table study in beam laboratory of physics department at University of Virginia and demonstrated the system’s potential to meet high precision for next generation parity-violating experiment such as MOLLER experiment.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Precision determination of the 235 U neutron-capture cross section

A precise knowledge of the probability for the 235 U(n,γ) neutron-capture reaction is required for accurate calculations of reactivity and gamma-ray production in fissioning systems. Surprisingly, there are few measurements of neutron capture at neutron energies above 1 keV, and their uncertainties are mostly in the 10% or greater range. The uncertainties of the most precise data in this region, measured by Jandel et al., range from 6% near 10 keV to 10% at 100 keV. We propose to make a new determination of the capture cross section from 1 keV to roughly 100 keV (higher if possible) by extending the analysis of data taken previously using the DANCE gamma ray detector array at the Los Alamos Neutron Scattering Center. Three weeks of data were obtained on a 235 U sample and the associated backgrounds using DANCE and the NEUANCE neutron detector array (for fission tagging). This data was analyzed to measure the probability of exciting isomers in 236 U at 687.5 and 1052 keV excitation by neutron capture, but cross sections were not determined. We propose to extend the analysis of this data to extract the capture cross sections. We will follow the method in ref 1 of normalizing the results to the fission reaction measured simultaneously in the same target, eliminating several sources of systematic uncertainty. The statistical uncertainty of this data set is expected to give cross-section results in the 3 to 5% uncertainty range up to several hundred keV neutron energy. We will investigate the effect of the isomers studied in on the cross sections. In addition, we will analyze the gamma-ray emission spectra and compare them to model calculations to advance our knowledge of the models needed to predict neutron capture and gamma-ray emission.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Toward A Precision Era Of Neutrino Oscillation Physics: Liquid Argon Scintillation Detector Development for DUNE and Neutrino Oscillation Studies with NOvA

NOvA is an accelerator-based high-energy particle physics experiment that studies oscillations in a beam of mostly muon (anti-)neutrinos, looking for the disappearance of muon (anti-)neutrinos and appearance of electron (anti-)neutrinos. This search is sensitive to several key neutrino oscillation parameters. After the completion of NOvA, DUNE will continue to study neutrino oscillations with a liquid argon time-projection chamber, which provides finer granularity of tracking than NOvA. Furthermore, the beam will be more powerful, the detector fiducial volume is approximately 3 times larger than the full NOvA detector, and the detector will be situated underground. DUNE is therefore expected to usher in a precision era of long-baseline neutrino oscillation physics. While the main signal from a liquid argon time-projection chamber is the ionization signal produced by the passage of charged particles, argon is also a copious source of scintillation. This light is useful for pro viding a precise event time. Scintillation light is potentially especially useful in non-beam studies in DUNE, such as atmospheric neutrinos, supernova neutrinos, and potential nucleon decay. In this dissertation, I will discuss both projects. In addition to a study of the drift in NOvA’s energy calibration, recent oscillation analysis is discussed, which finds a best fit at $\sin^2\theta_{23}=0.56^{+0.04}_{-0.03}$, $\Delta m^{2}_{32}=2.48^{+0.11}_{-0.06}\times10^{-3}\text{eV}^2$, $\delta_{CP}/\pi=0.0^{+1.3}_{-0.4}$, and prefers normal ordering at 1.9$\sigma$. Contributions to NOvA analysis will also be highlighted, especially methods used to perform separation of neutrinos and antineutrinos in the predominantly antineutrino beam for study. This wrong-sign component is initially used to provide further understanding of the beam components. Furthermore, characterization and prototype testing of photon detectors for DUNE is discussed. Finally, a study is performed with wrong-s ign separation techniques applied to the appearance signal i! n both NOvA and DUNE to create two samples: one enriched in signal and the other enriched in the wrong-sign oscillation appearance. Wrong-sign in the oscillation diminishes the sensitivity of the analysis, so this study aimed to determine if such a separation would enhance the sensitivity of the oscillation. Little benefit was found at the ultimate exposure with NOvA with the techniques currently available, but the study showed potential promise when applied to DUNE.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Measuring the Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to High Precision [PowerPoint]

The anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, characterized as the anomaly $a_{\mu} \equiv (g_{\mu}-2)/2$, remains a compelling hint of physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM) in light of the Brookhaven E821 measurement from the early 2000s, which differs with theoretical predictions by $>$3\,$\sigma$. To address this discrepancy, the Muon $g-2$ Experiment at Fermilab (E989) has been designed to determine $a_{\mu}$ to a precision of 140 parts per billion, a four-fold improvement over the E821 measurement. This improved precision presents an excellent opportunity to uncover BSM physics, and at minimum constrain BSM prescriptions. To date, the E989 experiment has completed its first two physics runs, recording more than 3 times the statistics recorded in the E821 experiment. The collaboration is preparing for a third physics run starting in October, with the goal of accumulating a factor of three more data than the previous runs combined, resulting in an order of magnitude more statistics than the Brookhaven measurement. An overview of the experimental technique will be discussed, along with a summary of Run 1 and 2. An update of the analysis of the Run 1 data will be presented; additionally, Run 3 progress will be summarized.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The Precision of Product Consistency Tests with Environmental Assessment Glass

Several series of triplicate tests conducting following the ASTM C1285 product consistency test method have been performed using samples of Environmental Assessment glass in Teflon™ and steel test vessels. The results of tests with test parameters within the ranges specified in the PCT method A procedure were used to calculate repeatability and reproducibility precision statistics for tests in each type of vessel. These show the test response and test precision attained in tests conducted in Teflon™ and stainless steel test vessels are statistically indistinguishable.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High-Performance/-Precision/-Z(HPPZ) Scintillator Grids via Advanced Electrochemistry. Phase I – Project # 20210572MFR- Mid year review [Slides]

Scintillation grids with improved imaging resolution in time and space, are required for future mission needs at various facilities (pRad user station, LANSCE, DARHT, Scorpius etc). Current technologies use inorganic crystal scintillators, which are positioned within a high-Z scintillator septa. Dense and high-Z materials are optimal for gamma-ray detection making them promising candidates for development of high -performance/-precision/-Z (HPPZ) scintillator grids. The current resolution of standard chemical etching and fabrication processes of high-Z materials is very low, leading to undesired undercutting and ultimately reducing crystal performance efficiency. Goals are to: Perform initial feasibility studies with the aim of producing complex parts for applications with difficult-to-process high-Z material; Use of pulse and pulse-reverse electrochemical methods on additive approaches to produce high-precision Au and Re scintillator grids at a small scale; and, Follow up in Phase II with the delivery of a large-scale scintillator grid of the best material candidate with unprecedented properties for LANL needs determined in Phase I.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mixed Precision xsdk Project. Final Report

Two main tasks have been performed in the past year as part of the Mixed Precision xsdk Project: analysis and development of mixed precision algorithms, and community engagement. Each is briefly discussed and work summarized.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Precision of Property Measurements with Reference Molten Salts

Thermochemical and thermophysical properties of reference molten salt systems are being measured to establish the precisions achievable with current state-of-the-art methods including repeatability within a laboratory and reproducibility between laboratories using the same and different methods. Several laboratories across the United States are analyzing salt samples from single source batches of two salts to provide independent measurements of property values and the precisions of different measurement techniques in an interlaboratory study referred to as the Interlaboratory Salt Study (ISS). The compositions of the two salts produced for the study were reported to be eutectic LiF-NaF-KF (46.5-11.5-42 mol %) and NaCl-KCl (50-50 mol %). These salts are referred to herein as ISS FLiNaK and ISS NaCl-KCl. Thermochemical properties being measured at Argonne include thermal transitions and heat capacity by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermophysical properties being measured at Argonne include liquid density and surface tension by using a buoyancy densitometer and thermal diffusivity by using a laser flash analyzer. Thermal conductivity is calculated from measured thermal diffusivity, density and heat capacity values. The results of property measurements made at Argonne using these inter-laboratory salt study salts are presented here.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Requirements Documents for the Large Mechanical Parts Precision Cleaner (LMPPC) in the Optics Assembly Building (OAB)

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is the world's largest energetic laser whose missions include sresearch in inertial confinement fusion, experiments for the Stockpile Stewardship, and other high fluence laser research. Due to the high fluence of lasers, extreme environmental conditions, and radiation presence, all mechanical parts (metal, plastic, etc.) installed on NIF must be precision cleaned. Precision cleaned parts are also required in supporting facilities like the Optics Processing Facility (OPF). Small debris inside the laser beams or on optics can cause optic damage, interfere with diagnostics, and interfere with experiments.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Atomically Precise Manufacturing for 2D-Designed Materials

The primary purpose of this program was to develop atomically precise fabrication techniques for semiconductor systems that places dopant atoms in a single buried (100) atomic plane in silicon with near atomic precision to create unprecedented structures that can be used for a wide variety of quantum experiments, devices, and potentially designer quantum materials. The potential impacts on reducing industrial energy use are many: 1) optimized and more energy efficient industrial processes via more efficient computational approaches, 2) dramatically improved materials for industrial use including higher critical-temperature superconductors eliminating losses in electrical transmission, 3) the better understanding of quantum chemistry via Analog Quantum Simulation(AQS) in the near term and universal quantum computing in the longer term that will lead to new industrial processes with smaller or zero production of greenhouse gases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mixed Precision xsdk Project: Final Report for Year Ended March 31, 2022

In the past year, as part of the Mixed Precision xsdk Project we have worked an the development and analysis of algorithms for mixed precision hardware. In the following we briefly discuss and summarize our contributions. The postdoctoral researchers were Srikara Pranesh (to September 30, 2021) and Mantas Mikaitis (from October 1, 2021).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Approach to Precision and Bias Analysis of Interlaboratory Salt Study Results

An interlaboratory study of salt properties measurements was initiated in 2020 by Raluca Scarlatt of UC Berkley and Jake McMurray of Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a DOE-funded NEUP project. The objective of what is referred to as the interlaboratory salt study (ISS) was to assess the quality of molten salt property data and develop consensus standard methods for measuring key property values. Unlike many interlaboratory studies in which the precision of applying a well-defined and well-constrained method is measured, the methods used to measure property values were not specified nor were the measurement conditions controlled. Instead, the approach was to engage participants in measuring the property values of two commonly-used salt mixtures by using any desired measurement techniques. By including measurements made using the same and different methods across institutions, the precisions achieved using specific techniques can be assessed as well as the confidence in the values measured using different techniques. Details of the calibrations and uncertainty provided by the participants will be useful in establishing a best practice for the application of each technique to molten salts.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

PROSPECT: A Precision Reactor Oscillation and Spectrum Experiment

Nuclear reactors are a source of copious amounts of electron antineutrinos. They are emitted in the beta decays of the fission products and their energies depend on the isotopic composition of the reactor. In recent years a number of reactor antineutrino experiments including Daya Bay, Double Chooz, and RENO reported a deficit in the measured flux of antineutrinos from reactors compared to expectation and a spectral deviation in the measured energy spectra compared to model predictions. These observations led to the hypothesis of sterile neutrino oscillation as an explanation of the flux deficit. New physics or incomplete nuclear models may explain the origin of the spectral deviation. PROSPECT, the Precision Reactor Oscillation and Spectrum Experiment, is a novel neutrino experiment at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) designed to address two major scientific objectives: 1. Perform a search for eV-scale sterile neutrinos independent of reactor neutrino models by searching for the oscillation signature of massive, sterile neutrino states beyond the 3 known active neutrino species. The discovery of sterile neutrinos would indicate a new form of matter and require physics beyond the Standard Model. 2. Perform the first modern precision measurement of the antineutrino spectrum from a Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) 235 U reactor to benchmark our understanding of the neutrino emission from nuclear reactors and to understand the isotopic origin of spectral deviations observed in previous reactor neutrino experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Testing of the SIDIS framework at Jefferson Lab Hall C using precise measurements of light meson electroproduction

Semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) has proved to be an important tool for unveiling the inner structure of the core of the atom, the nucleons and their basic constituents. Azimuthal spin asymmetries in polarized SIDIS are directly related to transverse momentum dependent parton distributions (TMDs) and fragmentation functions. The TMDs allow one to probe the 3D dynamical structure of partons inside the nucleon. Understanding the nature of the SIDIS process is essential for TMD studies, in particular at modest energies where deviations from the leading-order factorized picture may be a significant. Precise maps of the meson cross sections and their ratios at low transverse momentum and Jefferson Lab beam energies provide a stringent test of the use of the standard SIDIS framework in terms of factorized parton distributions convoluted with fragmentation functions. The magnetic spectrometers in Hall C at Jefferson Lab are well suited for such precision measurements of fully L/T separated cross sections and their ratios. The addition of neutral particle detection enables additional opportunities. Plans for upcoming experiments that will investigate the SIDIS process at the 12 GeV Jefferson Lab will be presented.

Kinney, Edward↗

Powered by PRECISE [Slides]

This presentation is part of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Powered By webinar series, hosted by the Grid Planning and Analysis Center. The series highlights NREL's impressive suite of grid planning and analysis tools to help attendees better understand their capabilities and applications. In this presentation, NREL power grid researchers, Killian McKenna and Darice Guittet, and the principal electrical distribution engineer at Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sheikh Hassan, discuss NREL's PRECISE interconnection tool. PRECISE automates holistic distributed energy resource interconnection studies for distribution utilities by leveraging diverse utility datasets.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Precise Compositional Characterization of Plutonium Alloys by Electron Probe Microanalysis

Key Takeaway Points: • Unlike most other materials, the precise compositional analysis of plutonium, including compounds and alloys, is riddled by numerous difficulties that are unique to the element, including the high atomic number and radioactive nature. There’s work to be done! • Radioactive materials require special handling to ensure precise compositions can be measured by EPMA. • Mean Atomic Number background corrections are limited due to high average atomic number. • Mass Absorption Coefficients are unknown for most light elements. Quantification relies upon calibration curves. • Principal Component Analysis could be a useful tool to improve interpretation of complicated, multiple element X-ray maps.

Maner, IV, James L.↗