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At least 19 records

Code-to-code comparison and validation of the radiation-hydrodynamics capabilities of the FLASH code using a laboratory astrophysical jet

The potential for laser-produced plasmas to yield fundamental insights into high energy density physics (HEDP) and deliver other useful applications can sometimes be frustrated by uncertainties in modeling the properties and behavior of these plasmas using radiation-hydrodynamics codes. In an effort to overcome this and to corroborate the accuracy of the HEDP capabilities in the publicly available FLASH radiation-hydrodynamics code, we present detailed code-to-code comparisons between FLASH and the HYDRA code developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory using previously published HYDRA simulations from Grava et al. [Phys. Rev. E 78, 016403 (2008)]. That study describes a laser experiment that produced a jet-like feature that the authors compare to astrophysical jets. Importantly, the Grava et al. [Phys. Rev. E 78, 016403 (2008)] experiment included detailed x-ray interferometric measurements of electron number densities and a time-integrated measurement of the soft x-ray spectrum. Despite markedly different methods for treating the computational mesh, and different equations of state and opacity models, the FLASH results resemble the results from HYDRA and, most importantly, the experimental measurements of electron density. Having validated the FLASH code in this way, we use the code to further investigate and understand the formation of the jet seen in the Grava et al. [Phys. Rev. E 78, 016403 (2008)] experiment and discuss its relation to the Wan et al. [Phys. Rev. E 55, 6293 (1997)] experiment at the NOVA laser.

Orban, Chris (ORCID:0000000312004538)↗

Review of the 1st EUV Light Sources Code Comparison Workshop

We review the results of the 1 st Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Light Sources Code Comparison Workshop. The goal of this workshop was to provide a platform for specialists in EUV light source plasma modeling to benchmark and validate their numerical codes using well-defined case studies. Detailed consideration of a plethora of atomic collisional and radiative processes is required for modeling EUV light source plasmas. Eight institutions spanning four countries contributed data to the workshop. Two topics were addressed, namely (i) the atomic kinetics and radiative properties of tin plasmas under EUV-generating conditions and (ii) laser absorption in a fully ionized, one-dimensional hydrogen plasma. In this paper, we summarize the key findings of the workshop and outline plans for future iterations of the code comparison activity.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Second-order wave excitation forces in WEC-Sim/MOST: Implementation, experimental validation, and code-to-code comparison

Accurate prediction of second-order hydrodynamic loads is essential for floating bodies, including floating offshore wind turbines, wave energy converters, and hybrid wind–wave platforms. These nonlinear effects, arising from both sum- and difference-frequency forcing, are critical for capturing key response characteristics but remain challenging to model efficiently. In this work, we extend the open-source Wave Energy Converter Simulator / MATLAB for Offshore Simulation Tool by implementing second-order wave excitation forces, supporting both the full Quadratic Transfer Function formulation and the Newman approximation. The full Quadratic Transfer Function method is used for all code-to-code comparisons and experimental validation, while the Newman approximation is provided as a computationally lighter alternative. To benchmark the new capability, we perform a code-to-code comparison with OpenFAST and OrcaFlex. We then validate the enhanced model using wave-tank measurements of a 1:96 scale DeepCwind semi-submersible, showing that second-order effects are required to reproduce platform motions. The implementation employs a computationally efficient pre-computation strategy for second-order wave excitation forces, reducing simulation cost while maintaining engineering accuracy. Overall, this work advances the tool as an open-source and versatile tool for modelling floating offshore renewable-energy systems requiring second-order hydrodynamic fidelity.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Aeroelastic code comparison using the IEA 22MW reference turbine

Reference wind turbine designs and the associated aeroelastic models are widely used in both research and industry. Reference models representing future concepts are of particular interest. Current state of the art aeroelastic tools are relied upon to design the next generation of large wind turbines. However, modelling assumptions may be invalidated by upcoming very large turbines, and different aeroelastic tools may give inconsistent results. A 22MW turbine model has been defined as part of International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind Task 55 on Reference Wind Turbines and Farms to represent future turbines to be deployed in the 2030s. In this study, an aeroelastic model of this turbine has been created in four tools; Bladed, HAWC2, OpenFAST, and QBlade. Code comparisons are presented for steady state operation, linear stability analysis, and time domain power production simulations in steady and turbulent wind. Generally, the codes show a good agreement, but with some differences present in the linear stability analysis, periodic azimuthal variation, and time domain simulations. The models are a good basis for further study with the IEA 22MW turbine, and further code comparison exercises.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

A particle-in-cell code comparison for ion acceleration: EPOCH, LSP, and WarpX

There are now more Particle-in-Cell (PIC) codes than ever before that researchers use to simulate intense laser-plasma interactions. To date, there have been relatively few direct comparisons of these codes in the literature, especially for relativistic intensity lasers interacting with thin overdense targets. To address this we perform a code comparison of three PIC codes: EPOCH, LSP, and WarpX for the problem of laser-driven ion acceleration in a 2D(3v) geometry for a 10 20 W cm -2 intensity laser. We examine the plasma density, ion energy spectra, and laser-plasma coupling of the three codes and find strong agreement. We also run the same simulation 20 times with different random seeds to explore statistical fluctuations of the outputs. We then compare the execution times and memory usage of the codes (without “tuning” to improve performance) using between 1 and 48 processors on one node. We provide input files to encourage larger and more frequent code comparisons in this field.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Review of the second charged-particle transport coefficient code comparison workshop

We report the results of the second charged-particle transport coefficient code comparison workshop, which was held in Livermore, California on 24–27 July 2023. This workshop gathered theoretical, computational, and experimental scientists to assess the state of computational and experimental techniques for understanding charged-particle transport coefficients relevant to high-energy-density plasma science. Data for electronic and ionic transport coefficients, namely, the direct current electrical conductivity, electron thermal conductivity, ion shear viscosity, and ion thermal conductivity were computed and compared for multiple plasma conditions. Additional comparisons were carried out for electron–ion properties such as the electron–ion equilibration time and alpha particle stopping power. Overall, 39 participants submitted calculated results from 18 independent approaches, spanning methods from parameterized semi-empirical models to time-dependent density functional theory. In the cases studied here, we find significant differences—several orders of magnitude—between approaches, particularly at lower temperatures, and smaller differences—roughly a factor of five—among first-principles models. We investigate the origins of these differences through comparisons of underlying predictions of ionic and electronic structure. The results of this workshop help to identify plasma conditions where computationally inexpensive approaches are accurate, where computationally expensive models are required, and where experimental measurements will have high impact.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Convergence of halo statistics: code comparison between rockstar and compaso using scale-free simulations

ABSTRACT In this study, we perform a halo-finder code comparison between rockstar and compaso. Based on our previous analysis aiming at quantifying resolution of N-body simulations by exploiting large (up to N = 40963) simulations of scale-free cosmologies run using abacus, we focus on convergence of the halo mass function, two-point correlation function, and mean radial pairwise velocities of halo centres selected with the aforementioned two algorithms. We establish convergence, for both rockstar and compaso, of mass functions at the 1 per cent precision level and of the mean pairwise velocities (and also two-point correlation function) at the 2 per cent level. At small scales and masses, we find that rockstar exhibits greater self-similarity. We also highlight the role played by the merger-tree post-processing of compaso haloes on their convergence. Finally, we give resolution limits expressed as a minimum particle number per halo in a form that can be directly extrapolated to Lambda cold dark matter.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Effect of net direct current on the properties of radio frequency sheaths: simulation and cross-code comparison

In order to understand, predict and control ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) interactions with tokamak scrape-off layer plasmas, computational tools which can model radio frequency (RF) sheaths are needed. In particular, models for the effective surface impedance and DC rectified sheath potentials may be coupled with full wave RF simulation codes to predict self-consistent wave fields near surfaces and the resulting power dissipation and plasma-material interactions from ion sputtering. In this study, previous work assuming zero net DC current flow through the sheath is generalized to allow the surface to collect net positive or negative current, as is often observed in experiments. The waveforms, DC potential and RF admittance are investigated by means of analytical theory, nonlinear fluid and particle-in-cell (PIC) codes. Cross-code comparisons provide detailed model verification and elucidate the roles of ion and electron kinetics. When the sheath draws negative (positive) DC current, the voltage rectification is reduced (increased) compared with the zero-current case, and the magnitude of both the real and imaginary parts of the admittance are increased (reduced). In conclusion, a previous four-input parametrization of the sheath rectification and admittance properties is generalized to include a fifth parameter describing the DC sheath current.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Cross-code comparison of the impact of the fill tube on high yield implosions on the National Ignition Facility

Fill tubes are used to inject deuterium and tritium fuel into inertial confinement fusion capsules fielded on the National Ignition Facility. These fill tubes have been shown to have a detrimental effect on capsule performance, primarily by introducing a low-density pathway into the central fuel region that enables the jetting of ablation material into the hot spot. Due to the complexity of the highly nonlinear flow associated with the fill tube and the challenge of diagnosing the evolution of the fill tube jet late in the implosion experiments, the uncertainty in how this perturbation source evolves is great. In this work, we report on the results of a detailed code comparison performed to understand uncertainties in computational modeling of the impact of fill tubes on implosion performance. The study employed two radiation-hydrodynamics codes, HYDRA and xRAGE, which employ very different meshing strategies and hydrodynamics solvers, as well as two radiation transport methodologies, discrete ordinates and multi-group diffusion. Our results demonstrate generally good agreement between codes through most of the implosion although they indicate sensitivity to opacity averaging methods. Late in the implosion, differences arise in the distribution and amount of contaminant although these differences have a remarkably small impact on the amount of yield reduction due to the fill tube. While these results demonstrate sensitivity in fill tube modeling to algorithmic choices, the observed differences between codes are small relative to known sensitivities due to expected variations in the fill tube geometry. Finally, we have developed a methodology for performing multi-group diffusion simulations that show good agreement with the more accurate discrete ordinates method

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Qubit-Oscillator Concatenated Codes: Decoding Formalism and Code Comparison

Concatenating bosonic error-correcting codes with qubit codes can substantially boost the errorcorrecting power of the original qubit codes. It is not clear how to concatenate optimally, given that there are several bosonic codes and concatenation schemes to choose from, including the recently discovered Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) – stabilizer codes [Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 080503 (2020)] that allow protection of a logical bosonic mode from fluctuations of the conjugate variables of the mode. We develop efficient maximum-likelihood decoders for and analyze the performance of three different concatenations of codes taken from the following set: qubit stabilizer codes, analog or Gaussian stabilizer codes, GKP codes, and GKP-stabilizer codes. We benchmark decoder performance against additive Gaussian white noise, corroborating our numerics with analytical calculations. We observe that the concatenation involving GKP-stabilizer codes outperforms the more conventional concatenation of a qubit stabilizer code with a GKP code in some cases. We also propose a GKP-stabilizer code that suppresses fluctuations in both conjugate variables without extra quadrature squeezing and formulate qudit versions of GKP-stabilizer codes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Code-to-code comparison between FLASH and HYDRA in gas-puff Z-pinch modeling

The numerical modeling of gas-puff Z pinches involves the nonlinear coupling of a broad range of complex, multi-physics phenomena that makes such simulations challenging. The challenge is further compounded by nonlinear instabilities that can impact the dynamics of imploding gas-puff Z pinches, such as the magneto Rayleigh–Taylor instability (MRTI). If the growth rate and amplitude of the latter is comparable to the relevant timescales and properties of the imploding plasma, the MRTI can dramatically alter implosion dynamics, dictate pinch stability, and govern the plasma properties achievable in pulsed-power-driven laboratory experiments. National Laboratories and academic teams have developed numerical tools that can accurately model Z-pinch configurations and provide reliable design capabilities that can guide experimental choices and assist in interpreting experimental results. Most such tools, however, are not broadly available. Here, we present newly developed Z-pinch simulation capabilities of the publicly available FLASH code, applied in the study of MRTI growth and dynamical effects in gas-puff implosions. To verify the new implementations, we perform a comparison of FLASH gas-puff implosion simulations with previously published calculations with the HYDRA code from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which have been validated with experimental data from the CESZAR pulsed-power driver at the University of California, San Diego. The experiments involved double- and triple-nozzle configurations, in an experimental attempt to stabilize the pinch to the MRTI. The code-to-code comparison shows similar results between the FLASH and HYDRA simulations, supporting the use of FLASH in the modeling of future gas-puff Z-pinch experiments at CESZAR.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The Santa Barbara Binary-disk Code Comparison

We have performed numerical calculations of a binary interacting with a gas disk, using 11 different numerical methods and a standard binary-disk setup. The goal of this study is to determine whether all codes agree on a numerically converged solution and to determine the necessary resolution for convergence and the number of binary orbits that must be computed to reach an agreed-upon relaxed state of the binary-disk system. We find that all codes can agree on a converged solution (depending on the diagnostic being measured). The zone spacing required for most codes to reach a converged measurement of the torques applied to the binary by the disk is roughly 1% of the binary separation in the vicinity of the binary components. For our disk model to reach a relaxed state, codes must be run for at least 200 binary orbits, corresponding to about a viscous time for our parameters, 0.2(a 2 Ω B /v) is the kinematic viscosity. The largest discrepancies between codes resulted from the dimensionality of the setup (3D vs. 2D disks). We find good agreement in the total torque on the binary between codes, although the partition of this torque between the gravitational torque, orbital accretion torque, and spin accretion torque depends sensitively on the sink prescriptions employed. In agreement with previous studies, we find a modest difference in torques and accretion variability between 2D and 3D disk models. We find cavity precession rates to be appreciably faster in 3D than in 2D.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

OC7 Project Phase II: Code Comparison and Experimental Validation of Hydroelastic Effects and Member-Level Loads in Floating Structures

This paper presents results from Phase II of the OC7 project, focusing on hydroelastic modeling and member-level load prediction for a flexible floating offshore structure. Numerical predictions from 11 academic and industrial partners are validated against experimental measurements obtained from a 1:70-scale test of the VolturnUS-S semisubmersible platform. A comprehensive set of verification and validation cases is examined. The results demonstrate that hydrodynamic added mass has a significant impact on predicted elastic natural frequencies. Under regular wave excitation, the numerical models reproduce platform motions and mooring line tensions with good accuracy. Member-level loads are also predicted with reasonable accuracy. Some discrepancies are observed for potential-flow models not accounting for higher-order effects associated with the instantaneous wetted surface.

17 WIND ENERGY↗