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The Evaluation of Machine Learning Techniques for Isotope Identification Contextualized by Training and Testing Spectral Similarity

Precise gamma-ray spectral analysis is crucial in high-stakes applications, such as nuclear security. Research efforts toward implementing machine learning (ML) approaches for accurate analysis are limited by the resemblance of the training data to the testing scenarios. The underlying spectral shape of synthetic data may not perfectly reflect measured configurations, and measurement campaigns may be limited by resource constraints. Consequently, ML algorithms for isotope identification must maintain accurate classification performance under domain shifts between the training and testing data. To this end, four different classifiers (Ridge, Random Forest, Extreme Gradient Boosting, and Multilayer Perceptron) were trained on the same dataset and evaluated on twelve other datasets with varying standoff distances, shielding, and background configurations. A tailored statistical approach was introduced to quantify the similarity between the training and testing configurations, which was then related to the predictive performance. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests revealed that the OVR-wrapped XGB significantly outperformed the other algorithms, with confidence levels of 99.0% or above for the 133Ba, 60Co, 137Cs, and 152Eu sources. The findings from this work are significant as they outline techniques to promote the development of robust ML-based approaches for isotope identification.

domain adaptation↗

Nonlinearity of the post-spinel transition and its expression in slabs and plumes worldwide

Phase transitions in the mantle control its internal dynamics and structure. The post-spinel transition marks the upper–lower mantle boundary, where ringwoodite dissociates into bridgmanite plus ferropericlase, and its Clapeyron slope regulates mantle flow across it. This interaction has previously been assumed to have no lateral spatial variations, based on the assumption of a linear post-spinel boundary in pressure and temperature. Here we present laser-heated diamond anvil cell experiments with synchrotron X-ray diffraction to better constrain this boundary, especially at higher temperatures. Combining our data with results from the literature, and using a global analysis based on machine learning, we find a pronounced nonlinearity in the post-spinel boundary, with its slope ranging from –4 MPa/K at 2100 K, to –2 MPa/K at 1950 K, and to 0 MPa/K at 1600 K. Changes in temperature over time and space can therefore cause the post-spinel transition to have variable effects on mantle convection and the movement of subducting slabs and upwelling plumes.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Flat and Level Analysis Tool (FLAT) for real-time automated segmentation and analysis of concrete slab point clouds

In the United States, the flatness and levelness of concrete floors during construction is traditionally specified by a maximum allowable gap under a 3 meter straightedge. However, the straightedge method is inexact and rarely representative of the entire floor since the technician is free to choose any location on the floor to perform the measurement. In cases requiring a higher degree of precision and repeatability, concrete floor flatness and levelness can be measured using the standard test method ASTM E1155. With the recent introduction of advanced surveying instruments such as robotic theodolites and terrestrial laser scanners (TLS), the means now exist to modernize and expedite the measurement of floor flatness and levelness. This paper details the development and demonstration of a digital tool, named the Flat and Level Analysis Tool (FLAT), to automate and expedite the segmentation and analysis of flatness and levelness from dense point cloud data of concrete floor slabs. Segmentation algorithms were developed using unsupervised machine learning to extract the set of points belonging to the concrete floor slab from a full 360 scan of a construction site. After segmentation, automated analysis algorithms report the results according to the standard method. The developed algorithms were demonstrated on a dense point cloud captured from a concrete slab-on-grade at a construction site. Results show that the digital tool can quickly provide estimates for floor flatness and levelness with minimal human involvement with comparable accuracy to manual methods.

Hayes, Nolan↗

Deep learning based x-ray spectrometer for high repetition rate characterization of betatron radiation

Betatron radiation produced from a laser-wakefield accelerator is a broadband, hard x-ray (>1 keV) source that has been used in a variety of applications in medicine, engineering, and fundamental science. Further development and optimization of stable, high repetition rate (HRR) (>1 Hz) betatron sources will provide a means to extend their application base to include single-shot dynamical measurements of ultrafast processes or dense materials. Recent advances in laser technology used in such experiments have enabled increases in shot-rate and system stability, providing improved statistical analysis and detailed parameter scans. However, unique challenges exist at high repetition rate, where data throughput and source optimization are now limited by diagnostic acquisition rates and analysis. Here, we present the development of a machine-learning algorithm for the real-time analysis of betatron radiation. We report on the fielding of this deep learning algorithm for online source characterization at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique's Advanced Laser Light Source. By fine-tuning an algorithm originally trained on a fully synthetic dataset using a subset of experimental data, the algorithm can predict the betatron critical energy with a percent error of 7.2 % with a reconstruction time of 1.5 ms, providing a valuable tool for real-time, multi-objective optimization at HRR.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

FIB-ToF-SIMS characterization of irradiated U-10Zr

Post-irradiation examination (PIE) is critical for the performance assessment and qualification of nuclear fuels. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is a powerful materials characterization technique that allows for elemental and isotopic mapping with a depth resolution greater than EDS and EPMA. However, it has not yet been applied to PIE of metallic nuclear fuel. Here, in this work, we characterize an fast neutron spectrum irradiated U-10Zr fuel sample using a time-of-flight SIMS (ToF-SIMS) system connected to a FIB/SEM system, which allows for flexible sample analysis compared to a dedicated ToF-SIMS instrument. Analysis of the resulting hyperspectral micrograph data was aided by the development of an unsupervised machine learning (ML) algorithm that iterates on existing methods to segment the 3D micrographic datasets based on the similarity of mass spectra. The results showed that the FIB-ToF-SIMS instrument was potentially capable of spatially resolving closed fission gas bubbles in 3D by continued ion sputtering of the analyzed volume. Additionally, the ML algorithm proved useful in revealing the chemical segregation of light fission products (those with an atomic mass between approximately 85–105 amu, such as ruthenium and rhodium) plus matrix zirconium, heavy fission products (those with an atomic mass between approximately 135–150 amu, such as the lanthanides) and uranium. Future studies are planned to conduct FIB-ToF-SIMS analysis on more irradiated U-Zr samples to study the constituent redistribution.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Lowering the barrier to access information-rich transient kinetic data for machine learning methods

Transient kinetic data contain a wealth of information about intrinsic features of a catalyst as well as the reaction mechanism. Currently, high volume transient data is underutilized, and data science methods could both increase the value of information that can be extracted from this data, integrate experimental with theoretical data sources, and accelerate the pace of catalyst technology advancement. Transient kinetic characterizations with simple probe molecules exhibiting reversible adsorption, irreversible adsorption and bulk-surface diffusion are presented as training components for similar experiments with more complex surface reactions. In conclusion, by increasing the availability and accessibility of transient kinetic data through details of its structure and acquisition, we aim to decrease the barrier for data scientists to apply machine learning methods to this valuable data source.

Catalysis↗

An interactive machine learning platform for analyzing multi-particle coincidence data from cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy

We present SCULPT (Supervised Clustering and Uncovering Latent Patterns with Training), a comprehensive software platform for analyzing tabulated high-dimensional multi-particle coincidence data from Cold Target Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy (COLTRIMS) experiments. The software addresses critical challenges in modern momentum spectroscopy by integrating advanced machine learning techniques with physics-informed analysis in an interactive web-based environment. SCULPT implements uniform manifold approximation and projection for non-linear dimensionality reduction to reveal correlations in high-dimensional data. We also discuss potential extensions to deep autoencoders for feature learning and genetic programming for automated discovery of physically meaningful observables. A novel adaptive confidence scoring system provides quantitative reliability assessments by evaluating user-selected clustering quality metrics with predefined weights that reflect each metric’s robustness. The platform features configurable molecular profiles for different experimental systems, interactive visualization with selection tools, and comprehensive data filtering capabilities. Utilizing a subset of SCULPT’s capabilities, we analyze photo-double-ionization data measured using the COLTRIMS method for three-body dissociation of the D 2 O molecule, revealing distinct fragmentation channels and their correlations with physics parameters. The software’s modular architecture and web-based implementation make it accessible to the broader atomic and molecular physics community, significantly reducing the time required for complex multi-dimensional analyses. This opens the door to finding and isolating rare events exhibiting non-linear correlations on the fly during experimental measurements, which can help steer exploration and improve the efficiency of experiments.

Artificial neural networks↗

AIACHNE's contribution for Nuclear Energy Agency Working Party on International Nuclear Data Evaluation Co-operation Subgroup 50

The AIACHNE (AI/ML Informed cAlifornium CHi Nuclear data Experiment) project aims at designing an experiment for the 252 Cf Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrum (PFNS) that explores systematic biases in an experimental database retrieved from the EXFOR databases. To that end, machine learning (ML) methods were applied to pint-point measurement features likely related to bia. From that information, we selected a feature that should be explored by the AIACHNE experiment. Measurement features are metadata encapsulating all pertinent information about the physical measurement and analysis techniques. Examples are, for instance, what neutron and fission detectors were used for the physical metadata, and what background reduction techniques were employed for analysis techniques. Such metadata were retrieved both from EXFOR entries as well as the literature of data sets described in detail in Ref. [2]. The prerequisite for applying machine learning techniques is casting the metadata into a format that can be parsed by the algorithm. This step might seem trivial but requires to find a unique language where metadata that carry the same physics meaning across several experiments must have the same identifier. One example is, for instance, the neutron detector. As seen in Figure 1, the machine learning code identified the use of 6 Li detectors as being related to bias in some datasets of the AIACHNE 252 Cf PFNS experimental database. In fact, here are several experiments that used neutron detectors containing 6Li in the database, for instance for the example below. EXFOR format has a unique keywords describing detectors such as “SCIN” or “GLASD”. One may think that these keywords are already sufficient descriptors for ML to uniquely find an issue. However, “SCIN” (used for [3, 4]) and “GLASD” (used for [5]) fail to inform the algorithm what is the active material in the detector. And, the key common issue leading to bias in 252 Cf related to neutron detectors is not whether it is a glass detector or a scintillator. No, the issue is that 6 Li was within both detector types and that even small mistakes in the detector response functions around approximately 200 keV are amplified by the 6 Li(n,α) resonance there leading to bias in data as highlighted in Fig. 1 and Ref. [1]. Hence, the features describing the neutron detector must call out the active material in the detector, rather than the existing EXFOR detector keyword, that the ML algorithm can find physically meaningful features related to bias. The AIACHNE team used a precursor of the WPEC (Working Party on International Nuclear Data Evaluation Co-operation) SG(Subgroup)-50 format to store the metadata for the ML analysis.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Optimizing inference of segmentation on high-resolution images in MLExchange

MLExchange is a machine learning (ML) operations platform providing web user-interfaces (UIs) for data visualization and analysis pipelines at synchrotron facilities. Among these UIs is the segmentation app which helps synchrotron users utilize ML algorithms to automatically segment high-resolution scientific images with minimal manual annotation effort. In this work, we share code optimizations that significantly speed up the segmentation inference workflow of large data in short time. By optimizing the sequence of CPU-GPU data transfers and introducing CPU parallelization to key operations, we improve the per-device, per-image frame computational efficiency and observe close to 3×$$\times$$ speedup over the original segmentation inference workflow run time when utilizing a single GPU. Further adaptations enabling multi-GPU inference yield more than 40×$$\times$$ speedup with 100 GPUs compared to the optimized single GPU inference workflow. This acceleration of the segmentation inference workflow will provide MLExchange users with easy access to segmentation results with little wait time.

Lu, Shizhao↗

Linear Discriminant Analysis-Based Machine Learning and All-Atom Molecular Dynamics Simulations for Probing Electro-Osmotic Transport in Cationic-Polyelectrolyte-Brush-Grafted Nanochannels

Deciphering the correct mechanisms governing certain phenomena in polyelectrolyte (PE) brush grafted systems, revealed through atomistic simulations, is an extremely challenging problem. In a recent study, our all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed a non-linearly large electroosmotic (EOS) flow (in the presence of an applied electric field) in nanochannels grafted with PMETAC [Poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl trimethylammonium chloride] brushes. Given the lack of any formal procedure that would have directed us to identify the correct factors responsible for such an occurrence, we needed to spend several months and devote significant analyses to unravel the involved mechanisms. In this paper, we propose a Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) based Machine Learning (ML) approach to address this gap. At first, we obtain data on certain basic features from the all-atom MD data. These basic features represent the number of atoms of certain species around one atom of another (or same) species. Here, we obtain such data on basic features for a reference case (case of an EOS flow in PMETAC-brush-grafted nanochannels with a smaller electric field) and a perturbed case (case of an EOS flow in PMETAC-brush-grafted nanochannels with a larger electric field) in bins in which the nanochannel half height has been divided into. These datasets are high-dimensional dataset, to which the LDA is applied. This leads to the projection of the data (between the reference and the perturbed states) in a highly separated form on a 1D line. From such LDA calculations, we are able to identify the relative importance of the different basic features in ensuring this separation of the data (between the reference and the perturbed states) on the 1D line. This relative importance of the different basic features is quantified as “importance scores” for the different features, which in turn tell us what to study and where to study. Such knowledge enables us to rapidly identify the key factors responsible for the non-linearly large EOS transport in PMETAC-brush-grafted nanochannels.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A robust synthetic data generation framework for machine learning in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM)

Machine learning techniques are attractive options for developing highly-accurate analysis tools for nanomaterials characterization, including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). However, successfully implementing such machine learning tools can be difficult due to the challenges in procuring sufficiently large, high-quality training datasets from experiments. In this work, we introduce Construction Zone, a Python package for rapid generation of complex nanoscale atomic structures which enables fast, systematic sampling of realistic nanomaterial structures and can be used as a random structure generator for large, diverse synthetic datasets. Using Construction Zone, we develop an end-to-end machine learning workflow for training neural network models to analyze experimental atomic resolution HRTEM images on the task of nanoparticle image segmentation purely with simulated databases. Further, we study the data curation process to understand how various aspects of the curated simulated data—including simulation fidelity, the distribution of atomic structures, and the distribution of imaging conditions—affect model performance across three benchmark experimental HRTEM image datasets. Using our workflow, we are able to achieve state-of-the-art segmentation performance on these experimental benchmarks and, further, we discuss robust strategies for consistently achieving high performance with machine learning in experimental settings using purely synthetic data. Construction Zone and its documentation are available at https://github.com/lerandc/construction_zone.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Analyzing the impact of design factors on solar module thermomechanical durability using interpretable machine learning techniques

Solar modules in utility-scale systems are expected to maintain decades of lifetime to rival conventional energy sources. However, cyclic thermomechanical loading often degrades their long-term performance, highlighting the importance of effective design to mitigate thermal expansion mismatches between module materials. Given the complex composition of solar modules, isolating the impact of individual components on overall durability remains a challenging task. In this work, we analyze a comprehensive data set that comprises bill-of-materials (BOM) and thermal cycling power loss from 251 distinct module designs to identify the predominant design factors and their impacts on the thermomechanical durability of modules. The methodology of our analysis combines machine learning modeling (random forest) and Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) to correlate design factors with power loss and interpret the model’s decision-making. The interpretation reveals that silicon type (monocrystalline or polycrystalline), encapsulant thickness, busbar numbers, and wafer thickness predominantly influence the degradation. With lower power loss of around 0.6% on average in the SHAP analysis, monocrystalline cells present better durability than polycrystalline cells. This finding is further substantiated by statistical testing on our raw data set. The SHAP analysis also demonstrates that while thicker encapsulants lead to reduced power loss, further increasing their thickness over around 0.6 to 0.7 mm does not yield additional benefits, particularly for the front side one. In addition, other important BOM features such as the number of busbars are analyzed. This study provides a blueprint for utilizing explainable machine learning techniques in a complex material system and can potentially guide future research on optimizing the design of solar modules.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Exploiting correlations in multi-coincidence Coulomb explosion patterns for differentiating molecular structures using machine learning

Coulomb explosion imaging (CEI) is a powerful technique for capturing the real-time motion of individual atoms during ultrafast photochemical reactions. CEI generates high-dimensional data with naturally embedded correlations that allow mapping the coordinated motion of nuclei in molecules. This enables reliable separation of competing reaction pathways and makes this approach uniquely suited for characterizing weak reaction channels. However, rich information contained in experimental CEI patterns remains largely underexploited due to challenges in visualizing correlations between multiple observables in multi-dimensional parameter space. Here we present a new approach to CEI of intermediate-sized polyatomic molecules, detecting up to eight ionic fragments in coincidence and leveraging machine-learning-based analysis to identify patterns and correlations in the resulting high-dimensional momentum-space data, enabling robust molecular structure identification and differentiation. Our approach provides high-dimensional background-free data encoding exceptionally rich structural information and establishes an automated, scalable framework for extracting insightful information from the data. As a demonstration, we apply this method to image and distinguish dichloroethylene isomers, showcasing its potential for broader applications in molecular imaging. Our results pave the way for channel-specific analysis of ultrafast structural dynamics in chemically relevant systems, particularly for disentangling mixed reaction pathways and detecting contributions from weak channels and minority species.

Chemical Physics (physics.chem-ph)↗

Interpretable machine learning models classify minerals via spectroscopy

Developing methods to identify mineral species confidently and rapidly from Raman spectral analysis is critical to numerous fields. Traditionally, analysis relies on pattern matching the Raman spectrum of an unknown dataset with a supporting library of well-characterized spectral data, which may prove difficult for environmental samples that are poorly crystalline or phase mixtures. Here, we developed interpretable machine learning models that can classify uranium minerals by secondary oxyanion chemistry and other physicochemical properties based solely on Raman spectra. This new ML method produces a mineral profile of physical and chemical properties for an unknown sample and can rapidly classify or identify unknown minerals from Raman data, without the need for an exact pattern match in a spectral library. Training models are validated by 1. Strong correlation of high confidence model regions with published spectroscopic assignments and 2. Correct classification of a mineral not present in training data. Training data are from the Compendium of Uranium Raman and Infrared Experimental Spectra and available crystallographic information files within the open-source Smart Spectral Matching scientific framework. Physically meaningful classifier models can rapidly identify key structural and chemical information about unknown uranium minerals and the overall methodology is broadly applicable for mineral phases.

Machine learning↗

Machine Learning Correlation of Electron Micrographs and ToF-SIMS for the Analysis of Organic Biomarkers in Mudstone

The spatial distribution of organics in geological samples can be used to determine when and how these organics were incorporated into the host rock. Mass spectrometry (MS) imaging can rapidly collect a large amount of data, but ions produced are mixed without discrimination, resulting in complex mass spectra that can be difficult to interpret. Here, we apply unsupervised and supervised machine learning (ML) to help interpret spectra from time-of-flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) of an organic-carbon-rich mudstone of the Middle Jurassic of England (UK). It was previously shown that the presence of sterane molecular biomarkers in this sample can be detected via ToF-SIMS (Pasterski, M. J. et al., Astrobiology 2023, 23, 936). We use unsupervised ML on scanning electron microscopy–electron dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) measurements to define compositional categories based on differences in elemental abundances. We then test the ability of four ML algorithms─k-nearest neighbors (KNN), recursive partitioning and regressive trees (RPART), eXtreme gradient boost (XGBoost), and random forest (RF)─to classify the ToF-SIM spectra using (1) the categories assigned via SEM-EDS, (2) organic and inorganic labels assigned via SEM-EDS, and (3) the presence or absence of detectable steranes in ToF-SIMS spectra. In terms of predictive accuracy and balanced accuracy, KNN was the best performing model and RPART the worst. The feature importance, or the specific features of the ToF-SIM spectra used by the models to make classifications, cannot be determined for KNN, preventing posthoc model interpretation. Nevertheless, the feature importance extracted from the other models was useful for interpreting spectra. In conclusion, we determined that some of the organic ions used to classify biomarker containing spectra may be fragment ions derived from kerogen which is abundant in this mudstone sample.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Analysis Description Language Ecosystem: Latest developments and physics applications

We present latest developments in Analysis Description Language (ADL), a declarative domain-specific language describing the physics algorithm of a HEP data analysis decoupled from software frameworks. Analyses written in ADL can be integrated into any framework for various tasks. ADL is a multipurpose construct with uses ranging from analysis design to preservation, reinterpretation, queries, visualisation, combination, etc. The most advanced infrastructure to execute ADL on events is the CutLang runtime interpreter. Recent technical developments include an automated interface with different data types, generation of the abstract syntax tree, a visualization tool that that auto-converts analysis flows to graphs, incorporation of trained machine learning models and a Jupyter-based plotting tool. We also report physics implications including a large scale LHC analysis implementation and validation effort for beyond the standard model reinterpretation purposes and studies with ATLAS and CMS open data.

Sekmen, Sezen [Kyungpook National Univ., Daegu (Ko↗

Parallel sorting algorithm classification: is manual instrumentation necessary?

Understanding parallel algorithms is crucial for accelerating scientific simulations on complex, distributed memory, high-performance computers. Modern algorithm classification approaches learn semantics directly from source code to differentiate between algorithms, however, accessing source code is not always possible. We can learn about parallel algorithms from observing their performance, as programs running the same algorithms and using the same hardware should exhibit similar performance characteristics. We present an approach to learn algorithm classes from parallel performance data directly in order to classify algorithms without access to the source code. We extend previous work to enable classifying parallel sorting algorithms using automatic instrumentation instead of requiring manual region annotations in the source code. In this work, we design and demonstrate a study for classification of parallel sorting algorithms using parallel performance data collected from automatic instrumentation, and evaluate the performance of our new methodology on classification. We leverage Caliper to collect the performance data, Thicket for our exploratory data analysis (EDA), and PyTorch and Scikit-learn to evaluate the effectiveness of random forests, support vector machines (SVMs), decision trees, neural networks, and logistic regressions on parallel performance data. Additionally, we study noise in parallel performance data, whether the removal of noise and pre-processing of the data is necessary to accurately classify parallel sorting algorithms, and determine the effectiveness of features created from performance data. In conclusion, we demonstrate classification accuracy for these five different models of up to 97.7% across four different parallel algorithm classes.

Algorithm Classification↗

Machine learning framework for predicting uranium enrichments from M400 CZT gamma spectra

A machine learning framework was developed for predicting uranium enrichments from M400 CZT gamma spectra. This framework leverages the availability of a large amount of measured M400 gamma spectra and uses a recently updated version of Gamma Detector Response and Analysis Software (GADRAS) for gamma spectrum analysis and generation. It also leverages the existing machine learning modules in Python for gamma spectrum data processing, curation, model training, benchmarking, and optimization of the deep machine learning models. The framework is used to develop a deep learning model to analyze gamma spectra from a set of U 3 O 8 samples with enrichments ranging from 0.31 to 93.17% and UF 6 cylinders with enrichments ranging from 0.2 to 4.95%, and the model performance is tested using a set of measured spectra and the respective declared enrichment values. Results show that the model can correctly classify 99.35% of the U 3 O 8 sample enrichments, and can predict the samples’ enrichments within an average absolute error of 0.099% (in percentage points of enrichment). For the UF 6 cylinders, the average absolute error was approximately 0.03%, with an accuracy of 98% in classifying discrete enrichment values of UF 6 samples. Finally, the results also show that the model has performed significantly better in terms of predicting enrichments in UF 6 cylinders based on measured gamma spectra than the GEM code, with a standard deviation (of the relative errors) of 2.23% (compared with the 11.51% value for the GEM code) based on results from a set of test data.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗