Abstract Cherenkov detectors are widely used for particle identification and threshold detectors in high-energy physics. Glass Cherenkov detectors that are sensitive to beta emissions originating from neutron activation have been demonstrated recently as a potential replacement for activation foils. In this work, we set the groundwork to evaluate large Cherenkov glass detectors for sensitivity to MeV photons through first understanding the measured response of small Cherenkov glass detectors to isotopic gamma-ray sources. Counting and pulse height measurements are acquired with reflected glass Cherenkov detectors read out with a photomultiplier tube. Simulation was used to inform our understanding of the measured results. This simulation included radioactive source decay, radiation interaction, Cherenkov light generation, optical ray tracing, and photoelectron production. Implications for the use of Cherenkov glass detectors to measure low energy gammaray response are discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2012

Simulated response of Cherenkov glass detectors to MeV photons

Cherenkov detectors are widely used for par ticle identification in high-energy physics and for track imaging in astrophysics. Glass Cherenkov detectors that are sensitive to beta emissions originating from neutron activation have been demonstrated recently as a potential replacement for activation foils. In this work, we evaluate Cherenkov glass detectors for sensitivity and specificity to MeV photons through simulations using Geant4. The model has been previously compared with measurements of isotopic gamma sources. It includes Cherenkov gener ation, light transport, light collection, photoelectron pro duction and time response in photomultiplier tubes. The model incorporates measured, wavelength-dependent absorption and refractive index data. Simulations are con ducted for glasses the size of fabricated samples and also for the same glasses in monolithic, square-meter-size. Implications for selective detection of MeV photons are discussed.

Hayward, J P↗

DOE OSTI2011

Python for Development of OpenMP and CUDA Kernels for Multidimensional Data

Design of data structures for high performance computing (HPC) is one of the principal challenges facing researchers looking to utilize heterogeneous computing machinery. Heterogeneous systems derive cost, power, and speed efficiency by being composed of the appropriate hardware for the task. Yet, each type of processor requires a specific organization of the application state in order to achieve peak performance. Discovering this and refactoring the code can be a challenging and time-consuming task for the researcher, as the data structures and the computational model must be co-designed. We present a methodology that uses Python as the environment for which to explore tradeoffs in both the data structure design as well as the code executing on the computation accelerator. Our method enables multi-dimensional arrays to be used effectively in any target environment. We have chosen to focus on OpenMP and CUDA environments, thus exploring the development of optimized kernels for the two most common classes of computing hardware available today: multi-core CPU and GPU. Python s large palette of file and network access routines, its associative indexing syntax and support for common HPC environments makes it relevant for diverse hardware ranging from laptops through computing clusters to the highest performance supercomputers. Our work enables researchers to accelerate the development of their codes on the computing hardware of their choice.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2011

Evaluation of Neutron and Gamma Detectors for High-Temperature Well-Logging Applications

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Neal, John S↗