Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Deterministic particle method”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records

A multi-dimensional, moment-accelerated deterministic particle method for time-dependent, multi-frequency thermal radiative transfer problems

Thermal Radiative Transfer (TRT) is the dominant energy transfer mechanism in high-energy density physics with applications in inertial confinement fusion and astrophysics. The stiff interactions between the material and radiation fields make TRT problems challenging to model. In this study, we propose a multi-dimensional extension of the deterministic particle (DP) method. The DP method combines aspects from both particle and deterministic methods. If the emission source is known a priori, and no physical scattering is present, the intensity of a particle can be integrated analytically. This introduces no statistical noise compared to Monte-Carlo methods, while maintaining the flexibility of particle methods. The method is closely related to the popular method of long characteristics. The combination of the DP-method with a discretely-consistent, nonlinear, gray low-order system enables an efficient solution algorithm for multi-frequency TRT problems. Here, we demonstrate with numerical examples that the use of a linear-source approximation based on spatial moments improves the behavior of our method in the thick diffusion limit significantly.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A deterministic particle method for one-dimensional reaction-diffusion equations

We derive a deterministic particle method for the solution of nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations in one spatial dimension. This deterministic method is an analog of a Monte Carlo method for the solution of these problems that has been previously investigated by the author. The deterministic method leads to the consideration of a system of ordinary differential equations for the positions of suitably defined particles. We then consider the time explicit and implicit methods for this system of ordinary differential equations and we study a Picard and Newton iteration for the solution of the implicit system. Next we solve numerically this system and study the discretization error both analytically and numerically. Numerical computation shows that this deterministic method is automatically adaptive to large gradients in the solution.

Mascagni, Michael↗

A Particle Method for the Multispecies Landau Equation

Abstract The multispecies Landau collision operator describes the two-particle, small scattering angle or grazing collisions in a plasma made up of different species of particles such as electrons and ions. Recently, a structure preserving deterministic particle method (Carrillo et al. in J. Comput. Phys. 7:100066, 2020) has been developed for the single species spatially homogeneous Landau equation. This method relies on a regularization of the Landau collision operator so that an approximate solution, which is a linear combination of Dirac delta distributions, is well-defined. Based on a weak form of the regularized Landau equation, the time dependent locations of the Dirac delta functions satisfy a system of ordinary differential equations. In this work, we extend this particle method to the multispecies case, and examine its conservation of mass, momentum, and energy, and decay of entropy properties. We show that the equilibrium distribution of the regularized multispecies Landau equation is a Maxwellian distribution, and state a critical condition on the regularization parameters that guarantees a species independent equilibrium temperature. A convergence study comparing an exact multispecies Bobylev-Krook-Wu (BKW) solution to the particle solution shows approximately 2nd order accuracy. Important physical properties such as conservation, decay of entropy, and equilibrium distribution of the particle method are demonstrated with several numerical examples.

Mathematics↗

A deterministic verification strategy for electrostatic particle-in-cell algorithms in arbitrary spatial dimensions using the method of manufactured solutions

As simulations of kinetic plasmas continue to increase in scope and complexity, a rigorous and straightforward method for verifying particle-in-cell (PIC) implementations is necessary to ensure their correctness. Here, in this paper, we present a deterministic method for the rigorous verification of multidimensional, multispecies, electrostatic particle-in-cell codes based on the method of manufactured solutions. Specifically, we prove that rigorous verification is possible through the exclusive examination of errors of grid quantities (i.e., moments and/or fields), allowing for a very light-weight and non-intrusive implementation in existing PIC codes. This is a marked improvement over earlier PIC verification approaches (only demonstrated with one species in 1D-1V), which rely on the comparison of cumulative distribution functions, and are invasive on the code base, introduce additional stochastic noise, are significantly more computationally expensive, and lack rigorous convergence properties. Interestingly, we show that different grid quantities feature different rates of convergence with the number of particles and mesh size, impacting the verification process. These theoretical results are confirmed numerically with a multi-species 2D-2V particle-in-cell code, including the ability of the method to detect order reduction due to an incorrect implementation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Hybrid methods for muon accelerator simulations with ionization cooling

Muon ionization cooling involves passing particles through solid or liquid absorbers. Careful simulations are required to design muon cooling channels. New features have been developed for inclusion in the transfer map code COSY Infinity to follow the distribution of charged particles through matter. To study the passage of muons through material, the transfer map approach alone is not sufficient. The interplay of beam optics and atomic processes must be studied by a hybrid transfer map-Monte-Carlo approach in which transfer map methods describe the deterministic behavior of the particles, and Monte-Carlo methods are used to provide corrections accounting for the stochastic nature of scattering and straggling of particles. The advantage of the new approach is that the vast majority of the dynamics are represented by fast application of the high-order transfer map of an entire element and accumulated stochastic effects. The gains in speed are expected to simplify the optimization of cooling channels which is usually computationally demanding. In conclusion, progress on the development of the required algorithms and their application to modeling muon ionization cooling channels is reported.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Navier-Stokes Dynamics by a Discrete Boltzmann Model

This work investigates the possibility of particle-based algorithms for the Navier-Stokes equations and higher order continuum approximations of the Boltzmann equation; such algorithms would generalize the well-known Pullin scheme for the Euler equations. One such method is proposed in the context of a discrete velocity model of the Boltzmann equation. Preliminary results on shock structure are consistent with the expectation that the shock should be much broader than the near discontinuity predicted by the Pullin scheme, yet narrower than the prediction of the Boltzmann equation. We discuss the extension of this essentially deterministic method to a stochastic particle method that, like DSMC, samples the distribution function rather than resolving it completely.

Rubinstein, Robet↗

A multigroup moment-accelerated deterministic particle solver for 1-D time-dependent thermal radiative transfer problems

We introduce an efficient, robust, Lagrangian (characteristic-based) transport solver for 1-D time-dependent thermal radiative transfer (TRT) applications within the context of a moment-accelerated (High-Order/Low-Order, HOLO) algorithm. This novel transport algorithm inherits the best features of both particle methods (e.g., time accuracy, phase-space adaptivity, positivity) and deterministic, grid-based methods (e.g., no stochastic noise). Particles are adapted by the method of characteristics, with a time-dependent weight that accounts for stiff absorption and reemission process self-consistently. As a result, this approach is able to obtain accurate results while employing large time steps and a moderate number of particles (compared to Implicit Monte Carlo).

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A hybrid Monte Carlo, discontinuous Galerkin method for linear kinetic transport equations

Here we present a hybrid method for time-dependent particle transport problems that combines Monte Carlo (MC) estimation with deterministic solutions based on discrete ordinates. For spatial discretizations, the MC algorithm computes a piecewise constant solution and the discrete ordinates use bilinear discontinuous finite elements. From the hybridization of the problem, the resulting problem solved by Monte Carlo is scattering free, resulting in a simple, efficient solution procedure. Between time steps, we use a projection approach to “relabel” collided particles as uncollided particles. In conclusion, from a series of standard 2-D Cartesian test problems we observe that our hybrid method has improved accuracy and reduction in computational complexity of approximately an order of magnitude relative to standard discrete ordinates solutions.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Specializations in the SCEPTRE code for charged-particle transport - 25454

Charged particles present some unique challenges for radiation transport codes. This is because charged particles have cross sections that are extremely forward peaked, are huge in the limit of small energy transfer, and are highly scattering, which causes slow convergence of the source iterations. The primary application of SCEPTRE is modeling radiation-driven electrical effects, so substantial effort has been invested in SCEPTRE for the efficient modeling of electron transport. This paper will summarize recent and ongoing activities involving the accurate deterministic-transport modeling of charged particles and methods implemented to improve iterative convergence. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Neutron (and other Particle) Transport at LANL: An Overview [Presentation]

For decades, Los Alamos National Laboratory has been at the forefront of neutron transport methods research and code development. One such code is PARTISN, the LANL parallel time-dependent discrete ordinate neutron transport code. In this presentation, we describe the various research efforts currently underway by the PARTISN and other code teams. Some examples of current research are a block automated mesh refinement scheme, the application of tensor trains to the discretized neutron transport equation, and GPU code porting. The block automated mesh refinement scheme uses cross section information to refine and coarsen the solution mesh to improve time to solution and reduce memory. The tensor train approach expresses discretized transport operators as tensor products of vectors and matrices to compress the size of linear systems being solved by transport codes. Rather than relying on matrix-free methods such as the transport sweep, we have access to an operator that can be inverted, reshaped, or manipulated algebraically. Finally, we describe how PARTISN is used, what problems we are looking to solve, and what the future holds for neutron transport at LANL. In addition to this, we briefly describe the various research efforts in other particle transport teams using both deterministic and Monte Carlo methods. In the presentation, we list possible opportunities for collaboration between the laboratory and faculty and students.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Neutrino Transport with Monte Carlo Method. I. Toward Fully Consistent Implementation of Nucleon Recoils in Core-collapse Supernova Simulations

The small energy exchange via nucleon recoils in neutrino–nucleon scattering is now supposed to be one of the important factors for successful explosions of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe), as they can change neutrino spectra through accumulation of a large number of scatterings. In deterministic methods employed for neutrino transport in CCSN simulations, we normally cannot afford to deploy a large enough number of energy bins needed to resolve this small energy exchange, and subgrid techniques are employed one way or another. In this paper, we study quantitatively with the Monte Carlo (MC) method how well such a treatment performs. We first investigate the effects of nucleon recoils on the neutrino spectra and confirm that the average energy is reduced by ~15% for heavy-lepton neutrinos and much smaller amounts for other types of neutrinos in a typical postbounce situation. It is also observed that the nucleon scattering dominates the electron scattering in the thermalization of neutrino spectra in all flavors. We then study possible artifacts that the coarse energy grid may produce in the deterministic methods. In order to mimic the latter calculation, we redistribute MC particles in each energy bin after a certain interval in a couple of ways and study how the results are affected, depending on the energy resolution. We also discuss the possible implications of our results for the deterministic methods.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Fermionic Partial Tomography via Classical Shadows

Here we propose a tomographic protocol for estimating any k-body reduced density matrix (k-RDM) of an n-mode fermionic state, a ubiquitous step in near-term quantum algorithms for simulating many-body physics, chemistry, and materials. Our approach extends the framework of classical shadows, a randomized approach to learning a collection of quantum-state properties, to the fermionic setting. Our sampling protocol uses randomized measurement settings generated by a discrete group of fermionic Gaussian unitaries, implementable with linear-depth circuits. We prove that estimating all k-RDM elements to additive precision ϵ requires on the order of ($^{n}_{k}$)k 3/2 log(n)/ϵ 2 repeated state preparations, which is optimal up to the logarithmic factor. Furthermore, numerical calculations show that our protocol offers a substantial improvement in constant overheads for k ≥ 2, as compared to prior deterministic strategies. We also adapt our method to particle-number symmetry, wherein the additional circuit depth may be halved at the cost of roughly 2–5 times more repetitions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Effective use of DXTRAN in MCNP - 25480

The DXTRAN variance reduction method enables Monte Carlo radiation transport calculations to deterministically place particle tracks on spheres surrounding geo-metric regions of interest. For many problems DXTRAN is the best way to transport particles to small distant regions or to angle bias particles exiting collisions. We provide guidance for optimal selection of parameters when using both single and nested DXTRAN spheres in Monte Carlo N-Particle radiation transport code (MCNP) calculations. Our recommendations are based upon both the underlying mathematics of DXTRAN and two demonstration MCNP simulations. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

A Comparison of Filter-based Approaches for Model-based Prognostics

Model-based prognostics approaches use domain knowledge about a system and its failure modes through the use of physics-based models. Model-based prognosis is generally divided into two sequential problems: a joint state-parameter estimation problem, in which, using the model, the health of a system or component is determined based on the observations; and a prediction problem, in which, using the model, the stateparameter distribution is simulated forward in time to compute end of life and remaining useful life. The first problem is typically solved through the use of a state observer, or filter. The choice of filter depends on the assumptions that may be made about the system, and on the desired algorithm performance. In this paper, we review three separate filters for the solution to the first problem: the Daum filter, an exact nonlinear filter; the unscented Kalman filter, which approximates nonlinearities through the use of a deterministic sampling method known as the unscented transform; and the particle filter, which approximates the state distribution using a finite set of discrete, weighted samples, called particles. Using a centrifugal pump as a case study, we conduct a number of simulation-based experiments investigating the performance of the different algorithms as applied to prognostics.

prognostics↗

Evaluating importance maps for TRIPOLI-4{sup R} using deterministic or on-line methods - 25446

Variance reduction is a key ingredient for solving radiation-protection problems with Monte-Carlo particle-transport codes. Many variance-reduction methods require the definition of an importance map and exhibit optimal performance if the importance map is given by the adjoint flux, the solution of the adjoint Boltzmann equation. This paper presents the implementation of the Consistent Adjoint-Driven Importance Sampling (CADIS) methodology via a coupling between the TRIPOLI-4 R Monte-Carlo particle-transport code and the IDT deterministic solver, Additionally, we describe the implementation of a new TRIPOLI-4 R score that makes it possible to estimate the adjoint flux during a direct Monte-Carlo calculation. These new features are expected to simplify the solution of difficult shielding problems. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Comparison of dose estimates using the buildup-factor method and a Baryon transport code (BRYNTRN) with Monte Carlo results

Continuing efforts toward validating the buildup factor method and the BRYNTRN code, which use the deterministic approach in solving radiation transport problems and are the candidate engineering tools in space radiation shielding analyses, are presented. A simplified theory of proton buildup factors assuming no neutron coupling is derived to verify a previously chosen form for parameterizing the dose conversion factor that includes the secondary particle buildup effect. Estimates of dose in tissue made by the two deterministic approaches and the Monte Carlo method are intercompared for cases with various thicknesses of shields and various types of proton spectra. The results are found to be in reasonable agreement but with some overestimation by the buildup factor method when the effect of neutron production in the shield is significant. Future improvement to include neutron coupling in the buildup factor theory is suggested to alleviate this shortcoming. Impressive agreement for individual components of doses, such as those from the secondaries and heavy particle recoils, are obtained between BRYNTRN and Monte Carlo results.

Shinn, Judy L.↗

Predicting the impact of particle-particle collisions on turbophoresis with a reduced number of computational particles

A common feature of wall-bounded turbulent particle-laden flows is enhanced particle concentrations in a thin layer near the wall due to a phenomenon known as turbophoresis. Even at relatively low bulk volume fractions, particle-particle collisions regulate turbophoresis in a critical way, making simulations sensitive to collisional effects. Lagrangian tracking of every particle in the flow can become computationally expensive when the physical number of particles in the system is large. Artificially reducing the number of particles in the simulation can mitigate the computational cost. When particle-particle collisions are an important aspect determining the simulation outcome, as in the case when turbophoresis plays an active role, simply reducing the number of particles in the simulation significantly alters the computed particle statistics. This paper introduces a computational particle treatment for particle-particle collisions which reproduces the results of a full simulation with a reduced number of particles. This is accomplished by artificially enhancing the particle collision radius based on scaling laws for the collision rates. The proposed method retains the use of deterministic collision models and is applicable for both low and high Stokes number regimes.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗