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Development of boron oxide potentials for computer simulations of multicomponent oxide glasses

Molecular dynamics and related atomistic computer simulations are effective ways in studying the structures and structure–property relations of glass materials. However, simulations of boron oxide (B 2 O 3 )-containing oxide glasses pose a challenge due to the lack of reliable empirical potentials. This paper reports development of a set of partial charge pairwise composition-dependent potentials for boron-related interactions that enable simulations of multicomponent borosilicate glasses, together with some of the existing parameters. This set of potentials was tested in sodium borate glasses and sodium borosilicate glasses and it is shown capable to describe boron coordination change with glass composition in wide composition ranges. Structure features such as boron N 4 value, density, Q n species distribution, fraction of non-bridging oxygen around boron and silicon, total correlation function, and bond angle distribution function were calculated and compared with available experimental data. Mechanical properties of the simulated glasses calculated with the new potential also show good agreement with experiments. Therefore, this new set of potential can be used to simulate boron oxide-containing multicomponent glasses including those with wide industrial and technology applications.

nuclear, defects, corrosion↗

Comprehensive Material Characterization and Simultaneous Model Calibration for Improved Computational Simulation Credibility

Computational simulation is increasingly relied upon for high-consequence engineering decisions, and a foundational element to solid mechanics simulations is a credible material model. Our ultimate vision is to interlace material characterization and model calibration in a real-time feedback loop, where the current model calibration results will drive the experiment to load regimes that add the most useful information to reduce parameter uncertainty. The current work investigated one key step to this Interlaced Characterization and Calibration (ICC) paradigm, using a finite load-path tree to incorporate history/path dependency of nonlinear material models into a network of surrogate models that replace computationally-expensive finite-element analyses. Our reference simulation was an elastoplastic material point subject to biaxial deformation with a Hill anisotropic yield criterion. Training data was generated using either a space-filling or adaptive sampling method, and surrogates were built using either Gaussian process or polynomial chaos expansion methods. Surrogate error was evaluated to be on the order of 10 ⁻5 and 10 ⁻3 percent for the space-filling and adaptive sampling training data, respectively. Direct Bayesian inference was performed with the surrogate network and with the reference material point simulator, and results agreed to within 3 significant figures for the mean parameter values, with a reduction in computational cost over 5 orders of magnitude. These results bought down risk regarding the surrogate network and facilitated a successful FY22-24 full LDRD proposal to research and develop the complete ICC paradigm.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Computational simulation of vibrationally resolved spectra for spin‐forbidden transitions

Abstract In this computational study, we illustrate a method for computing phosphorescence and circularly polarized phosphorescence spectra of molecular systems, which takes into account vibronic effects including both Franck‐Condon and Herzberg‐Teller contributions. The singlet and triplet states involved in the phosphorescent emission are described within the harmonic approximation, and the method fully takes mode‐mixing effects into account when evaluating Franck‐Condon integrals. Spin‐orbit couplings, which are responsible for these otherwise forbidden phenomena, are accounted for by means of a relativistic two‐component time‐dependent density functional theory method. The model is applied to two types of chiral systems: camphorquinone, a rigid organic system that allows for an extensive benchmark, and some members of a class of iridium complexes. The merits and shortcomings of the methods are discussed, and some perspectives for future developments are offered.

Egidi, Franco↗

Application of Quantum Machine Learning to High Energy Physics Analysis at LHC using IBM Quantum Computer Simulators and IBM Quantum Computer Hardware

Our group pioneers the use of Quantum Machine Learning (QML) on High Energy Physics analysis at LHC. We have successfully employed several QML classification algorithms in the ttH (Higgs production in association with a top quark pair) and Higgs to two muons (Higgs coupling to second generation fermions), two recent LHC flagship physics analysis, on gate-model quantum computer simulators and hardware. The simulation studies have been performed with the IBM Quantum Framework, Google Tensorflow Quantum Framework, and Amazon Braket Framework, and we have achieved good classification performance that is similar to the performances of the classical machine learning methods currently used in LHC physics analyses, classical SVM, classical BDT, and classical deep neural network for example. We have also performed our studies using IBM superconducting quantum computer hardware and the performance is promising and is approaching the performance from IBM quantum simulators. Moreover, we extend our studies to other QML areas such as quantum anomaly detection and quantum generative adversarial, and some preliminary results have been obtained. Also, we have overcome the challenges of intensive computing resources in the cases of large qubits (25 qubits or more) and large numbers of events using NVIDIA cuQuantum with NERSC Perlmutter HPC. Our studies give an example that Quantum Machine Learning performs as well as its classical counterpart for realistic High Energy Physics analysis datasets. Furthermore, our result on noisy quantum hardware provides important validation for the result on noiseless quantum simulators.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Application of Quantum Machine Learning to High Energy Physics Analysis at LHC Using Quantum Computer Simulators and Quantum Computer Hardware

Machine learning enjoys widespread success in High Energy Physics (HEP) analyses at LHC. However the ambitious HL-LHC program will require much more computing resources in the next two decades. Quantum computing may offer speed-up for HEP physics analyses at HL-LHC, and can be a new computational paradigm for big data analyses in High Energy Physics.We have successfully employed three methods (1) Variational Quantum Classifier (VQC) method, (2) Quantum Support Vector Machine Kernel (QSVM-kernel) method and (3) Quantum Neural Network (QNN) method for two LHC flagship analyses: ttH (Higgs production in association with two top quarks) and H->mumu (Higgs decay to two muons, the second generation fermions). We shall address the progressive improvements in performance from method (1) to method (3).We will present our experiences and results of a study on LHC High Energy Physics data analyses with IBM Quantum Simulator and Quantum Hardware (using IBM Qiskit framework), Google Quantum Simulator (using Google Cirq framework), and Amazon Quantum Simulator (using Amazon Braket cloud service). The work is in the context of a Qubit platform (a gate-model quantum computer). Taking into account the present limitation of hardware access, different quantum machine learning methods are studied on simulators and the results are compared with classical machine learning methods (BDT, classical Support Vector Machine and classical Neural Network). Furthermore, we do apply quantum machine learning on IBM quantum hardware to compare performance between quantum simulator and quantum hardware. The work is performed by an international and interdisciplinary collaboration with the Department of Physics and Department of Computer Sciences of University of Wisconsin, CERN Quantum Technology Initiative, IBM Research Zurich, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Fermilab Quantum Institute, BNL Computational Science Initiative, State University of New York at Stony Brook, and Quantum Computing and AI Research of Amazon Web Services. This work pioneers a close collaboration of academic institutions with industrial corporations in the High Energy Physics analyses effort. Though the size of event samples in future HL-LHC physics and the limited number of qubits pose some challenges to the Quantum Machine learning studies for High Energy Physics, more advanced quantum computers with larger number of qubits, reduced noise and improved running time (as envisioned by IBM and Google) may outperform classical machine learning in both classification power and in speed.Although the era of efficient quantum computing may still be years away, we have made promising progress and obtained preliminary results in applying quantum machine learning to High Energy Physics. A PROOF OF PRINCIPLE.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Computational simulation of a 100 kW dual circulating fluidized bed reactor processing coal by chemical looping with oxygen uncoupling

Chemical looping with oxygen uncoupling (CLOU) is a promising carbon capture technology that utilizes two interconnected fluidized-bed reactors to separate oxygen from air using a metal oxide, and then to use that oxygen to combust fuel in a nitrogen-free environment. CLOU is particularly well suited for solid fuels such as coal since released O 2 will readily combust with solid char. This study presents simulations of the University of Utah's dual fluidized bed chemical looping process development unit (PDU) operating as a CLOU system at 100 kW th , using CPFD Software's Barracuda-VR™ CFD modeling program. A full 3D model of the PDU was used including both reactors, as well as loop seals and cyclone separators. Hydrodynamic settings and the drag model are based on previous cold-flow validation experiments. Mechanisms describing CLOU reaction kinetics for cuprous oxide oxidation in the air reactor and cupric oxide reduction in the fuel reactor were adapted from previously completed experimental work. Coal char kinetics were based on the carbon-hydrogen-nitrogen-oxygen-sulfur, CHNOS, method. Submodels for devolatilization, gasification, and homogenous gas-phase reactions used relationships from the literature. Results predict volatile burnout almost immediately, though coal combustion continues into the upper portions of the fuel reactor and cyclone. Lastly, nitrogen gas leakage into the fuel reactor is shown to be mostly carryover from the air reactor

42 ENGINEERING↗

Progress Report on An Exascale Computational Simulation Capability for Pervasive Fracture & Failure

How does a structure fail in an explosion? Is there an engineering design opportunity to mitigate the effects of a blast? These are questions that may be addressed with simulation; however, a computational simulation capability to answer these questions must include developments in material physics modeling and numerical algorithms that we believe are possible, but do not yet exist. This LDRD project proposes to develop the physics models and computational approaches to create a computational simulation approach to answer these physics and engineering questions.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Application of Quantum Machine Learning to High Energy Physics Analysis at LHC using IBM Quantum Computer Simulators and IBM Quantum Computer Hardware

One of the major objectives of the experimental programs at the LHC is the discovery of new physics. This requires the identification of rare signals in immense backgrounds. Using machine learning algorithms greatly enhances our ability to achieve this objective. With the progress of quantum technologies, quantum machine learning could become a powerful tool for data analysis in high energy physics. In this study, using IBM gate-model quantum computing systems, we employ the quantum variational classifier method and the quantum kernel estimator method in two recent LHC flagship physics analyses: $t\bar{t}H$ (Higgs boson production in association with a top quark pair) and $H\rightarrow\mu\mu$ (Higgs boson decays to two muons). We have obtained early results with 10 qubits on the IBM quantum simulator and the IBM quantum hardware. On the quantum simulator, the quantum machine learning methods perform similarly to classical algorithms such as SVM (support vector machine) and BDT (boosted decision tree), which are often employed in LHC physics analyses. On the quantum hardware, the quantum machine learning methods have shown promising discrimination power, comparable to that on the quantum simulator. This study demonstrates that quantum machine learning has the ability to differentiate between signal and background in realistic physics datasets.

Chan, Jay↗

Equation of state of hot, dense magnesium derived with first-principles computer simulations

Using two first-principles computer simulation techniques, path integral Monte Carlo and density functional theory molecular dynamics, we derive the equation of state of magnesium in the regime of warm dense matter, with densities ranging from 0.43 to 86.11 g cm –3 and temperatures from 20,000 K to 5×10 8 K. These conditions are relevant for the interiors of giant planets and stars as well as for shock compression measurements and inertial confinement fusion experiments. Here, we study ionization mechanisms and the electronic structure of magnesium as a function of density and temperature. We show that the L shell electrons, 2s and 2p energy bands, merge at high densities. This results in gradual ionization of the L-shell with increasing density and temperature. In this regard, Mg differs from MgO, which is also reflected in the shape of its principal shock Hugoniot curve. For Mg, we predict a single broad pressure-temperature region, where the shock compression ratio is approximately 4.9. Mg thus differs from Si and Al plasmas that exhibit two well-separated compression maxima on the Hugoniot curve for L and K shell ionizations. Finally, we study multiple shocks and effects of preheat and precompression.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Full radiator-perturber interaction in computer simulations of hydrogenic spectral line broadening by plasmas

Spectral line broadening by plasmas can be computed by solving the equation of motion for the dipole of the radiating system perturbed by a fluctuating potential obtained from computer simulations. Such calculations have relied on the multipole expansion of the radiator-plasma interaction often keeping only the dipole term. With increasing density, however, higher multipoles as well as plasma perturbers overlapping the bound electron wave functions are expected to become important. For hydrogenic systems, the atomic matrix elements of the full Coulomb and screened Coulomb interactions are given by analytical formulas. Using these results, a computer simulation approach that accounts for the full radiator-plasma interaction is developed. One benefit is the removal of inherent strong collision divergences in the multipole expansion approximation. Furthermore, it yields the plasma polarization shift produced by perturbers penetrating the wave function of the radiator bound electrons. Here, the model was applied to hydrogenic argon Ly-α , Ly- β , and Ly-$\gamma$ spectral lines in a dense argon plasma at free electron densities of 10 24 or 10 25 cm ⁻3 and temperature of $800$ $eV$ relevant to plasma diagnostic techniques for inertial confinement fusion implosions.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Calculation of Self-Sputtering Yield under Ion Bombardment of Solids: Computer Simulation and Theory

We developed a computer simulation program for investigation of solid self-sputtering under ion bombardment. The program is based on binary collision approximation, truncated Coulomb potential, and the model of local inelastic losses proportional to energy. As a result of simulation, the self-sputtering yield is calculated as a function of atomic number and ion energy. To verify the cascade simulation code, we created a self-sputtering theory for the case of hard sphere potential. Simulation results show good agreement with both experimental data and theory.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Reformulation of plasma spectral line broadening with computer simulations

Spectral line broadening by plasmas can be computed by solving the equation of motion for the dipole of the radiating system perturbed by a fluctuating radiator–plasma interaction obtained from computer simulations. These calculations usually described the radiator by a localized charge distribution of negligible size and the plasma by an electric potential plus inhomogeneities at the radiator nucleus. Using an alternative approach, it is shown that starting from the full Coulomb interaction and then introducing approximations leads to expressions that naturally take advantage of readily available data from atomic packages. Applying this alternative approach to screened Coulomb interactions in so-called trivial molecular dynamics to account for neglected plasma correlations leads to a modified multipole expansion compared to the standard method. Issues associated with the ad hoc introduction of the screened Coulomb potential are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Particle-In-Cell Computer Simulations of Beam Spill in the Scorpius Injector

Computer simulations of beam transport in the Scorpius injector were performed using the particle-in-cell computer code LSP. The simulations were used to predict spot size growth due to electron stimulated emission of ions from beam spill on the anode stalk and the entrance transport region.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Computer simulation of carbonization and graphitization of coal

Abstract This study describes computer simulations of carbonization and graphite formation, including the effects of hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. We introduce a novel technique to simulate carbonization, ‘Simulation of Thermal Emission of Atoms and Molecules (STEAM)’, designed to elucidate volatile outgassing and density variations in the intermediate material during carbonization. The investigation analyzes the functional groups that endure through high-temperature carbonization and examines the graphitization processes in carbon-rich materials containing non-carbon impurity elements. The physical, vibrational, and electronic attributes of impure amorphous graphite are analyzed, and the impact of nitrogen on electronic conduction is investigated.

Ugwumadu, C. (ORCID:0000000199207594)↗

Elucidating the Molecular Origins of the Transference Number in Battery Electrolytes Using Computer Simulations

The rate at which rechargeable batteries can be charged and discharged is governed by the selective transport of the working ions through the electrolyte. Conductivity, the parameter commonly used to characterize ion transport in electrolytes, reflects the mobility of both cations and anions. The transference number, a parameter introduced over a century ago, sheds light on the relative rates of cation and anion transport. This parameter is, not surprisingly, affected by cation–cation, anion–anion, and cation–anion correlations. In addition, it is affected by correlations between the ions and neutral solvent molecules. Computer simulations have the potential to provide insights into the nature of these correlations. We review the dominant theoretical approaches used to predict the transference number from simulations by using a model univalent lithium electrolyte. In electrolytes of low concentration, one can obtain a quantitative model by assuming that the solution is made up of discrete ion-containing clusters–neutral ion pairs, negatively and positively charged triplets, neutral quadruplets, and so on. These clusters can be identified in simulations using simple algorithms, provided their lifetimes are sufficiently long. In concentrated electrolytes, more clusters are short-lived and more rigorous approaches that account for all correlations are necessary to quantify transference. Elucidating the molecular origin of the transference number in this limit remains an unmet challenge.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Automated, reliable, and efficient continental-scale replication of 7.3 petabytes of computational simulation data: A case study

We report on our experiences replicating 7.3 petabytes (PB) of Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) computational simulation data from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California to Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) in Illinois and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee—a task motivated by a need for increased reliability, capacity, and performance. This task presented significant challenges: the need to move 29 million files twice under time pressure from aging storage hardware; a source file system bottleneck limiting throughput to 1.5 GB/s; frequent site maintenance windows; and the need for complete reliability at scale. We addressed these challenges using a simple replication tool that invoked Globus to transfer large bundles of files while tracking progress in a database, dynamically rerouting transfers to work around maintenance periods and file system limitations. Under the covers, Globus organized transfers to make efficient use of the high-speed Energy Sciences network (ESnet) and the data transfer nodes deployed at participating sites, and also addressed security, integrity checking, and recovery from a variety of transient failures. This success demonstrates the considerable benefits that can accrue from the adoption of performant data replication infrastructure. The replication tool is available at https://github.com/esgf2-us/data-replication-tools.

Globus↗