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At least 559 records · Page 31

Real-Time Krylov Theory for Quantum Computing Algorithms

Quantum computers provide new avenues to access ground and excited state properties of systems otherwise difficult to simulate on classical hardware. New approaches using subspaces generated by real-time evolution have shown efficiency in extracting eigenstate information, but the full capabilities of such approaches are still not understood. In recent work, we developed the variational quantum phase estimation (VQPE) method, a compact and efficient real-time algorithm to extract eigenvalues on quantum hardware. Here we build on that work by theoretically and numerically exploring a generalized Krylov scheme where the Krylov subspace is constructed through a parametrized real-time evolution, which applies to the VQPE algorithm as well as others. We establish an error bound that justifies the fast convergence of our spectral approximation. We also derive how the overlap with high energy eigenstates becomes suppressed from real-time subspace diagonalization and we visualize the process that shows the signature phase cancellations at specific eigenenergies. We investigate various algorithm implementations and consider performance when stochasticity is added to the target Hamiltonian in the form of spectral statistics. To demonstrate the practicality of such real-time evolution, we discuss its application to fundamental problems in quantum computation such as electronic structure predictions for strongly correlated systems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Using Computer Simulations to Optimize Biofuel Production

The DOE strives to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing energy challenges. NREL shares this goal and tries to achieve a clean energy world. Fossil fuels are problematic for both organizations. Using them endangers American security. Their supply is finite and burning them causes environmental damage. Biofuels are a good alternative to fossil fuels. They are renewably produced on American soil and can lower greenhouse gas emissions. Also, cars and planes need no costly mechanical adjustments to use biofuels. However, the fuels themselves are expensive. For my SULI project, I reduced the cost of biofuels by optimizing the production process through computer simulations. Existing simulations were accurate but slow. One simulation takes up to eight hours, and researchers must do hundreds. My solution reduces the computing time. I treated the biomass particles in the simulation as one-dimensional. That simplified the simulation equations, making them easier for the computer to solve. Still, biomass particles are three-dimensional. The 1D assumption was wrong and produced inaccurate results. To maintain accuracy while increasing speed, I developed a method to convert 1D simulation results into usable 3D data. I adjusted the 1D simulation until the output matched the 3D results for a specific environment. I found out how much the simulation changed when the environment changed. Machine learning algorithms defined a relationship between 1D and 3D data for all environments. This lets scientists convert fast 1D simulation results into valid 3D data.

1D↗

The curled wake model: a three-dimensional and extremely fast steady-state wake solver for wind plant flows

Abstract. Wind turbine wake models typically require approximations, such as wake superposition and deflection models, to accurately describe wake physics. However, capturing the phenomena of interest, such as the curled wake and interaction of multiple wakes, in wind power plant flows comes with an increased computational cost. To address this, we propose a new hybrid method that uses analytical solutions with an approximate form of the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations to solve the time-averaged flow over a wind plant. We compare results from the solver to supervisory control and data acquisition data from the Lillgrund wind plant obtaining wake model predictions which are generally within 1 standard deviation of the mean power data. We perform simulations of flow over the Columbia River Gorge to demonstrate the capabilities of the model in complex terrain. We also apply the solver to a case with wake steering, which agreed well with large-eddy simulations. This new solver reduces the time – and therefore the related cost – it takes to simulate a steady-state wind plant flow (on the order of seconds using one core). Because the model is computationally efficient, it can also be used for different applications including wake steering for wind power plants and layout optimization.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Hybrid Simulation and Quasi-linear Theory of Bi-Kappa Proton Instabilities

The quasi-steady states of collisionless plasmas in space (e.g., in the solar wind and planetary environments) are governed by the interactions of charged particles with wave fluctuations. These interactions are responsible not only for the dissipation of plasma waves but also for their excitation. The present analysis focuses on two instabilities, mirror and electromagnetic ion cyclotron instabilities, associated with the same proton temperature anisotropy T ⊥ > T ∥ (where ⊥, ∥ are directions defined with respect to the local magnetic field vector). Theories relying on standard Maxwellian models fail to link these two instabilities (i.e., predicted thresholds) to the proton quasi-stable anisotropies measured in situ in a completely satisfactory manner. Here we revisit these instabilities by modeling protons with the generalized bi-Kappa (bi-κ power-law) distribution, and by a comparative analysis of a 2D hybrid simulation with the velocity-moment-based quasi-linear (QL) theory. It is shown that the two methods feature qualitative and, even to some extent, quantitative agreement. The reduced QL analysis based upon the assumption of a time-dependent bi-Kappa model thus becomes a valuable theoretical approach that can be incorporated into the present studies of solar wind dynamics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Probing the atomic dynamics of ultrafast melting with femtosecond electron diffraction

Melting is an every-day phase transition that is determined by thermodynamic parameters like temperature and pressure. In contrast, ultra-fast melting is governed by the microscopic response to a rapid energy input and, thus, can reveal the strength and dynamics of atomic bonds as well as the energy flow rate to the lattice. Accurately describing these processes remains challenging and requires detailed insights into transient states encountered. Here, we present data from femtosecond electron diffraction measurements that capture the structural evolution of copper during the ultrafast solid-to-liquid phase transformations. At absorbed energy densities 2-4 times the melting threshold, melting begins at the surface slightly below the nominal melting point followed by rapid homogeneous melting throughout the volume. Molecular dynamics simulations reproduce these observations and reveal a weak electron-lattice energy transfer rate for the given experimental conditions. Both simulations and experiments show no indications of rapid lattice collapse when its temperature surpasses proposed limits of superheating, providing evidence that the inherent dynamics limits the speed of disordering in ultrafast melting of metals.

FOS: Physical sciences↗

3D radiated power analysis of JET SPI discharges using the Emis3D forward modeling tool

Abstract Precise values for radiated energy in tokamak disruption experiments are needed to validate disruption mitigation techniques for burning plasma tokamaks like ITER and SPARC. Control room analysis of radiated power ( P rad ) on JET assumes axisymmetry, since fitting 3D radiation structures with limited bolometry coverage is an under-determined problem. In mitigated disruptions, radiation is toroidally asymmetric and 3D, due to fast-growing 3D MHD modes and localized impurity sources. To address this problem, Emis3D adopts a physics motivated forward modeling (‘guess and check’) approach, comparing experimental bolometry data to synthetic data from user-defined radiation structures. Synthetic structures are observed with the Cherab modeling framework and a best fit chosen using a reduced χ 2 statistic. 2D tomographic inversion models are tested, as well as helical flux tubes and 3D MHD simulated structures from JOREK. Two nominally identical pure neon shattered pellet injection (SPI) mitigated discharges in JET are analyzed. 2D tomographic inversions with added toroidal freedom are the best fits in the thermal quench (TQ) and current quench (CQ). In the pre-TQ, 2D reconstructions are statistically the best fits, but are likely over-optimized and do not capture the 3D radiation structure seen in fast camera images. The next-best pre-TQ fits are helical structures that extend towards the high-field side, consistent with an impurity flow under the magnetic nozzle effect also observed in JOREK simulations. Whole-disruption radiated fractions of 0.98 + 0.03 / − 0.29 and 1.01 + 0.02 / − 0.17 are found, suggesting that the stored energy may have been fully mitigated by each SPI, although mitigation efficiencies well below ITER and SPARC requirements for high energy pulses are still within the large uncertainties. Emis3D is also used to validate JOREK SPI simulations, and confirms improvements in matching experiment from changes to impurity modeling. Time-dependent toroidal peaking factors are calculated and discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Computation-Efficient Algorithm for Distributed Feedback Optimization of Distribution Grids

Feedback-based optimization algorithms use real-time measurements to update the optimal control for the underlying system which may not be fully identified. Recently, we have developed a distributed feedback-based algorithm [1] that avoids the requirement of fast communication between central computing and local actuator/sensor agents. This paper extends the work by greatly reducing the number of copies of variables involved in the distributed feedback-based algorithm, which results in faster convergence and lower communication requirement. The main idea is to leverage the specific structural properties of the admittance matrix for distribution systems with tree network topology. We also show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in simulations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A Holistic Algorithmic Approach to Improving Accuracy, Robustness, and Computational Efficiency for Atmospheric Dynamics

Atmospheric weather and climate models must perform simulations very quickly to be useful. Therefore, modelers have traditionally focused on reducing computations as much as possible. However, in our new era of increasingly compute-capable hardware, data movement is now the prohibiting expense. This study examines the computational benefits of a new algorithmic approach to modeling atmospheric dynamics on scales relevant to weather and climate simulation. Rather than minimizing computations, this new approach considers the larger problem more holistically, including spatial accuracy, temporal accuracy, robustness (i.e., oscillations), on-node efficiency, and internode data transfers together at once. Numerical experiments demonstrate how computations can be strategically increased to simultaneously address each of these constraints while reducing data movement to adapt to modern accelerated hardware. The new algorithm can achieve at times up to 80% peak floating point throughput in single precision on the Nvidia Tesla V100 GPU, where the traditional approach is shown to only achieve single-digit floating point efficiency. Further, the new algorithm is twice as fast as a standard Runge--Kutta time integrator, and high-order accuracy with Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO) limiting came at less than 30% additional runtime cost on a GPU, thus increasing the accuracy per degree of freedom.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Lens Modeling of STRIDES Strongly Lensed Quasars Using Neural Posterior Estimation

Strongly lensed quasars can be used to constrain cosmological parameters through time-delay cosmography. Models of the lens masses are a necessary component of this analysis. To enable time-delay cosmography from a sample of $\mathcal{O}(10^3)$ lenses, which will soon become available from surveys like the Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time and the Euclid Wide Survey, we require fast and standardizable modeling techniques. To address this need, we apply neural posterior estimation (NPE) for modeling galaxy-scale strongly lensed quasars from the Strong Lensing Insights into the Dark Energy Survey (STRIDES) sample. NPE brings two advantages: speed and the ability to implicitly marginalize over nuisance parameters. We extend this method by employing sequential NPE to increase precision of mass model posteriors. We then fold individual lens models into a hierarchical Bayesian inference to recover the population distribution of lens mass parameters, accounting for out-of-distribution shift. After verifying our method using simulated analogs of the STRIDES lens sample, we apply our method to 14 Hubble Space Telescope single-filter observations. We find the population mean of the power-law elliptical mass distribution slope, γ lens , to be $\mathcal{M}_γ$ lens = 2.13 ± 0.06. Our result represents the first population-level constraint for these systems. This population-level inference from fully automated modeling is an important stepping stone toward cosmological inference with large samples of strongly lensed quasars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DESPERATE: A Python Library for Processing and Denoising NMR Spectra

NMR spectroscopy is an inherently insensitive technique with respect to the amount of observable signal. A common element in all NMR spectra is random thermal noise that is often characterized by a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). SNR can be generically improved experimentally with repetitive signal averaging or during post-processing with apodization; the former of which often results in long experimental times and the latter results in the loss of spectral resolution. Denoising techniques can instead be used during post-processing to enhance SNR without compromising resolution. The most common approach relies on the singular-value decomposition (SVD) to discard noisy components of NMR data. SVD-based approaches work well, such as Cadzow and PCA, but are computationally expensive when used for large datasets that are often encountered in NMR (e.g., Carr-Purcell/Meiboom-Gill and nD datasets). Herein, we describe the implementation of a new wavelet transform (WT) routine for the fast and robust denoising of 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Several simulated and experimental datasets are denoised with both SVD-based Cadzow or PCA and WT’s, and the resulting SNR enhancements and spectral uniformity are compared. WT denoising offers similar and improved denoising compared with SVD and operates faster by several orders-of-magnitude in some cases. Further, all denoising and processing routines used in this work are included in a free and open-source Python library called DESPERATE.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

HOLISMOKES IX. Neural network inference of strong-lens parameters and uncertainties from ground-based images

Modeling of strong gravitational lenses is a necessity for further applications in astrophysics and cosmology. With the large number of detections in current and upcoming surveys, such as the Rubin Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), it is pertinent to investigate automated and fast analysis techniques beyond the traditional and time-consuming Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling methods. Building upon our (simple) convolutional neural network (CNN), we present here another CNN, specifically a residual neural network (ResNet), that predicts the five mass parameters of a singular isothermal ellipsoid (SIE) profile (lens center x and y, ellipticity e x and e y , Einstein radius θ E ) and the external shear (γ ext, 1 , γ ext, 2 ) from ground-based imaging data. In contrast to our previous CNN, this ResNet further predicts the 1σ uncertainty for each parameter. To train our network, we use our improved pipeline to simulate lens images using real images of galaxies from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Survey (HSC) and from the Hubble Ultra Deep Field as lens galaxies and background sources, respectively. We find very good recoveries overall for the SIE parameters, especially for the lens center in comparison to our previous CNN, while significant differences remain in predicting the external shear. From our multiple tests, it appears that most likely the low ground-based image resolution is the limiting factor in predicting the external shear. Given the run time of milli-seconds per system, our network is perfectly suited to quickly predict the next appearing image and time delays of lensed transients. Therefore, we use the network-predicted mass model to estimate these quantities and compare to those values obtained from our simulations. Unfortunately, the achieved precision allows only a first-order estimate of time delays on real lens systems and requires further refinement through follow-up modeling. Nonetheless, our ResNet is able to predict the SIE and shear parameter values in fractions of a second on a single CPU, meaning that we are able to efficiently process the huge amount of galaxy-scale lenses expected in the near future.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Validation of energetic particle transport models for time-dependent integrated simulations of burning plasmas (Final ST Report)

The major goal of this project is to deliver a suite of validated energetic particle (EP) modeling tools for time-dependent integrated tokamak simulations (with the code TRANSP) that can be used for modeling plasma discharges featuring a substantial EP content, such as burning plasmas. During FY20, issues were resolved with an energetic particle transport model called TGLF-EP, with improvements made to the TGLF-EP workflow, generation of input files, and interpretation of runs on the NERSC supercomputing cluster. The recipient also gave input on simulations with the code TRANSP to reproduce the reference JET discharge, and assessed the accuracy and uncertainties of the simulated B field, current evolution, thermal plasma profiles, stored energy, etc. Input was also given on interpretation of fast-ion instability calculations and recommendations for modifications to JET afterglow discharge for the upcoming DT campaign.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The Fuel Motion Monitoring System at TREAT - Current Status and Future Plans

An important component of the United States Nuclear Fuel Safety Transient Testing Program, the Fuel Motion Monitoring System (FMMS) at Idaho National Laboratory's Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) is fast-neutron hodoscope capable of imaging the location, movement, and relocation of nuclear fuel experiments under simulated transient accident conditions. The FMMS was refurbished in parallel with the TREAT restart program starting in 2014, restoring 96-channels of fast-neutron detection. Since returning to operation in 2017 the FMMS has supported many fuel safety experiments supporting accident tolerant fuel development, light-water reactor safety, space thermal nuclear propulsion fuel development, and advanced reactor research and development. In Phase 2 of the FMMS restoration. work is now under way to expand the FMMS' field-of-view by adding an additional 96 channels of fast neutron detectors to the system's hodoscope, along with an expanded data acquisition system and associated transient timing electronics. An overview of the FMSS system and its fast-neutron detectors will be presented along with examples of current FMMS imaging performance and associated information.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗

Novel 2D velocity estimation method for large transient events in plasmas

Dynamics of fast transient events are challenging to be analyzed with high time resolution. Such events can occur in fusion plasmas such as the filaments during edge-localized modes (ELMs). Here, we present a robust method—the spatial displacement estimation—for estimating the displacements of structures with fast dynamics from high spatial and time resolution imaging diagnostics [e.g., gas-puff imaging (GPI)] with sampling time temporal resolution. First, a background suppression method is shown, which suppresses the slowly time-evolving and spatially non-uniform background in the signal. In the second step, a two-dimensional polynomial trend subtraction method is presented to tackle the remaining polynomial order trend in the signal. After performing these pre-processing steps, the spatial displacement of the propagating structure is estimated from the two-dimensional spatial cross-correlation coefficient function calculated between consecutive frames. The method is tested for its robustness and accuracy by simulated Gaussian events and spatially displaced random noise. An example application of the method is presented on propagating ELM filaments measured by the GPI system on the National Spherical Torus Experiment spherical tokamak.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Three-Dimensional Heat Flux and Thermal Analysis of Angled Tungsten Samples on DIII-D

ITER-grade tungsten and dispersoid-strengthened tungsten samples with the top surface angled at ~15° towards the incident plasma flux were exposed to 9 H-mode discharges with edge-localized modes (ELMs) in the lower divertor of DIII-D tokamak using the Divertor Material Evaluation System (DiMES). Surface damage included cracking and flaking of material on the two samples farthest away from the plasma strike point, and significant melting of the two samples closest to the strike point. Heat flux and thermal analysis tools new to DIII-D have been applied to better understand this material response and to help optimize the exposure conditions for future experiments. SMITER field-line tracing simulations based on IRTV data and EFIT equilibria estimate an average inter-ELM perpendicular heat flux, 𝑞⊥,𝑖nter−𝐸LM , on the angled surfaces of 10.1 – 19.6 MW/m² for a majority of the 9 discharges, increasing to 15.6 – 24.5 MW/m² for the single, higher-power shot where samples melted. Fast camera data showed shallow intra-ELM melting and re-solidification, which transitioned to bulk inter-ELM melting with melt motion in the 𝐽⃗ 𝑥 𝐵⃗ direction. About 50% of the protruding volume of the most affected sample was displaced via melt-motion. SIERRA thermal modeling software was able to reproduce an onset time of melting consistent with fast camera data and final sample conditions, within < 200 ms. Maximum surface temperatures of 3122 K and 2787 K are estimated for the samples farthest away from the strike point, while the closest samples achieve melting at 4067 ms and 4750 ms into the ~5000 ms plasma exposure. A +10% increase in both the SMITER 𝑞⊥,𝑖nter−𝐸LM calculations and the estimated ELM heat loads 𝑞⊥, 𝐸LM was required to achieve this result, which is within the uncertainty of the diagnostic data but likely accounts for non-ideal geometry effects plus other physics uncertainties not included in this first iteration of modeling. This work provided valuable estimates of the 3D temperature evolution to help better understand the observed surface morphology and internal recrystallization of samples, which are discussed in detail in a complementary manuscript [1]. Benchmarking efforts with more diagnosed DIII-D experiments are underway to further refine the SMITER and SIERRA models for DiMES. Future use of these tools will enable researchers to precisely target heat flux exposure conditions in DIII-D to test, but not exceed, the thermomechanical limitations of novel plasma-facing materials.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

ML-Based Power System Stability Assessment Considering Network Topology Changes: WECC 20,000+ Bus System Case Study

Modern power grids are fast-changing and thus require real-time monitoring and online stability assessment. With the rapid development of machine learning (ML) techniques, using data-driven models to provide fast and accurate estimations of power system stability marginal information, such as frequency nadir for frequency stability and critical clearing time (CCT) for transient stability, have become possible. However, despite the numerous research on ML-based methods for frequency nadir and CCT prediction, there is limited work on the impact of different network topology changes. Furthermore, most previous studies only focused on small or synthetic systems, and there is a lack of research on actual large power system models. In this paper, the above issues are addressed by studying the actual U.S. Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) system model with more than 20,000 buses. Massive simulations are conducted in PowerWorld Simulator to study the impact of various topology change scenarios on both frequency stability and transient stability. System operating information is extracted from the success dispatch cases of various network topologies to generate a comprehensive dataset for ML-based models. Two ML methods, random forest (RF) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network, are trained and tested for both frequency nadir prediction and CCT prediction. Test results have proven the models are capable of online stability assessment for large power networks such as the WECC system with sufficient accuracy.

critical clearing time↗

QuDPy: A Python-based tool for computing ultrafast non-linear optical responses

Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy is a well-developed field with theoretical and experimental advances that have benefited multiple disciplines, including chemistry, biology, and physics. However, for the accurate interpretation of the corresponding multi-dimensional spectra, there is a need for precise quantum dynamical simulations based on model Hamiltonians. In this article, we present the initial release of our code, QuDPy (Quantum Dynamics in Python), which provides a robust numerical platform for performing quantum dynamics simulations based on model systems, including open quantum systems. Furthermore, a distinguishing feature of our approach is the ability to specify various high-order optical response pathways in the form of double-sided Feynman diagrams through a straightforward input syntax. This syntax outlines the time-ordering of ket-sided or bra-sided optical interactions acting on the time-evolving density matrix of the system. We utilize the quantum dynamics capabilities of QuTip to simulate the spectral response of complex systems, allowing us to compute virtually any $n$-th order optical response of the model system. To illustrate the utility of our approach, we provide a series of example calculations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A high-voltage MR-ToF mass spectrometer and separator for the study of exotic isotopes at FRIB

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) delivers a wide variety of rare isotopes as fast, stopped, or reaccelerated beams to enable forefront research in nuclear structure, astrophysics, and fundamental interactions. To expand the scientific potential of FRIB’s stopped and reaccelerated beam programs, we are designing a Multi-Reflection Time-of-Flight mass spectrometer and separator (MR-ToF MS). It will enable high-precision mass measurements of short-lived isotopes, improve beam diagnostics, and deliver isobarically and isomerically purified beams to downstream experimental stations. It is designed to store ions at a kinetic energy of 30 keV, significantly enhancing ion throughput while maintaining high mass resolving power. In conclusion, we present the scientific motivation, technical design, and simulations demonstrating the expected performance of the system, which has the potential to significantly enhance FRIB’s mass measurement, diagnostic, and mass separation capabilities.

Electrostatic ion beam trap↗