Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Second moment 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 Second Moment Method for k -Eigenvalue Acceleration with Continuous Diffusion and Discontinuous Transport Discretizations

The second moment method is a linear acceleration technique that couples the transport equation to a diffusion equation with transport-dependent additive closures. The resulting low-order diffusion equation can be discretized independent of the transport discretization, unlike diffusion synthetic acceleration, and is symmetric positive definite, unlike quasidiffusion. While this method has been shown to be comparable to quasidiffusion in iterative performance for fixed source and time-dependent problems, it is largely unexplored as an eigenvalue problem acceleration scheme due to the belief that the resulting inhomogeneous source makes the problem ill posed. Recently, a preliminary feasibility study was performed on the second moment method for eigenvalue problems. The results suggested comparable performance to quasidiffusion and more robust performance than diffusion synthetic acceleration. This work extends the initial study to more realistic reactor problems using state-of-the-art discretization techniques. Finally, the results in this paper show that the second moment method is more computationally efficient than its alternatives on complex reactor problems with unstructured meshes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Consistent Second Moment Methods with Scalable Linear Solvers for Radiation Transport

Second moment methods (SMMs) are developed that are consistent with the discontinuous Galerkin spatial discretization of the discrete ordinates (or S\(_N\)) transport equations. The low-order (LO) diffusion system of equations is discretized with fully consistent P\(_1\), local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG), and interior penalty (IP) methods. A discrete residual approach is used to derive SMM correction terms that make each of the LO systems consistent with the high-order discretization. We show that the consistent methods are more accurate and have better solution quality than independently discretized LO systems, that they preserve the diffusion limit, and that the LDG and IP consistent SMMs can be scalably solved in parallel on a challenging, multimaterial benchmark problem.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A hybrid Monte Carlo-deterministic second moment method with efficient variance reduction

In this work, we present a hybrid method that combines Monte Carlo with deterministic finite element methods to solve a linear Boltzmann transport equation. Our hybrid method runs orders of magnitude faster than Monte Carlo, without sacrificing accuracy, for a proxy problem from radiative transfer that contains both optically-thick and optically-thin material. We believe that this is the first demonstration of a hybrid Second Moment Method in more than one spatial dimension, the first to consider more than one material, and the first to use variance reduction. Our variance reduction approach arises from an asymptotic analysis in which we show that the magnitude of the scattering source grows without bound. We transform the problem to compute the deviation of the radiation intensity from isotropy. The magnitude of the source in the transformed problem is bounded, and the quality of the hybrid method solution is dramatically improved by a substantial reduction in the variance.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

OpenSn: A massively parallel, open-source simulation environment for discrete ordinates radiation transport

OpenSn is an open-source, massively parallel deterministic radiation transport code for solving the discrete-ordinates ( S N ) form of the Boltzmann transport equation on unstructured, arbitrary polyhedral meshes. It supports high-fidelity simulations involving steady-state, eigenvalue, and adjoint problems for neutral particles (e.g., neutrons, photons, multi-particles), using the multigroup approximation in energy. OpenSn combines angular discretization via discrete ordinates with a discontinuous Galerkin finite element method (DGFEM) in space, enabling accurate resolution of transport physics on arbitrary polyhedral cells, included locally refined spatial grids. It includes multiple angular quadrature types, including locally refined angular quadratures. Written in modern C++ with a Python API, OpenSn runs efficiently on platforms ranging from laptops to supercomputers. The transport sweep algorithm is implemented using a task-based, directed-acyclic-graph (DAG) approach for each angle and supports asynchronous parallelism across thousands of MPI ranks. Group-set aggregation improves compute intensity, and synthetic acceleration techniques (e.g., diffusion synthetic acceleration, second-moment method) enhance solver convergence. OpenSn has been verified on reactor physics problems and demonstrated excellent weak and strong scaling performance on more than 32,768 processes, making it a versatile and robust platform for large-scale transport simulations in complex geometries.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Direct sensitivity analysis on the parameterization of crystal plasticity models

Various methods for calibrating crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) models lead to non-unique input parameter values, which subsequently introduce uncertainty in the predicted mechanical response. Sensitivity analysis (SA) conducted on crystal plasticity models is used to identify how variability in these parameters contribute to output uncertainty. Traditional SA on CPFE parameters uses simplified surrogate models to save computational time. However, the accuracy of the surrogate models depends on the quantity of training data used, and any modeling error can propagate into the SA results, potentially affecting their reliability. In this work, the elementary effects test (EET) method, a global SA technique using direct CPFE simulations was employed, and the results obtained were compared with the First Order Second Moment (FOSM) method. ExaConstit, an open-source GPU-enabled CPFE code, was used to perform the simulations and direct SA. The EET method was accurately able to capture the non-linear effects of all the input parameters on the output and is a valuable approach for reliably attributing parameter sensitivities in CPFE models. Based on the results, efficient strategies to perform future parameter calibration and SA are discussed. Additionally, the SA trends observed in different single crystal orientations closely mirrored the activity of the slip systems.

Elementary Effects Test↗

Toward Predictive RANS and SRS Computations of Turbulent External Flows of Practical Interest

In this work, we investigate the main challenges to prediction of turbulent external flows of practical interest with Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations (RANS) and Scale-Resolving Simulation (SRS) models. This represents a crucial step toward further developing and establishing these formulations so they can be confidently utilized in engineering problems without reference data. The study initiates by identifying the major challenges to prediction. A literature review is performed to illustrate their effects in RANS and SRS computations. Afterward, we evaluate the impact of the challenges to prediction by analyzing representative statistically steady and unsteady flows with prominent RANS and SRS methods. These include multiple turbulent viscosity and second-moment RANS closures, and hybrid and bridging SRS models. The results demonstrate the potential of the selected SRS models to predict engineering flows. Yet, they also show the importance of considering the challenges to prediction during the setup and conduction of numerical experiments. These can suppress the advantages of using SRS formulations. The data also indicate that only SRS models can confidently predict statistically unsteady flows. In contrast, the results demonstrate that mean-flow quantities of statistically steady flows can be efficiently calculated with RANS closures, especially second-moment closures. Among the selected SRS methods, bridging models reveal better suited for prediction due to their ability to prevent commutation errors and enable the robust evaluation of numerical and modeling errors. This last property allows the use of a new validation technique that does not require reference data.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Moments-based interface reconstruction, remap and advection

Here, we present a new moment-of-fluid (MOF 2 ) interface reconstruction method. It uses the zeroth, first, and second moments of the fragment of material inside a cell of the mesh to reconstruct a convex material polygon or a union of convex polygons that approximate the respective material fragment. The new method requires information about the material moments only for the cell under consideration. The MOF 2 method allows to exactly reproduce several convex shapes: corners, filaments, and some concave shapes: cell-complements to corners and filaments. Interface reconstruction is formulated as a local (for each cell), non-linear, equality constrained optimization problem, which does not require additional communication and allows for an efficient parallel implementation. We present an extensive set of test problems, both for interface reconstruction on a single cell, and for reconstruction of a variety of shapes on a variety of meshes. We describe how to perform two-material advection using the MOF 2 method and present the results for the classical advection tests. We also show the examples of material interface remapping needed in the framework of multi-material arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian methods, and give a brief description of a procedure that can be used to update the material moments on the Lagrangian stage of those methods.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Moments-based interface reconstruction, remap and advection

We present a new moment-of-fluid (MOF 2 ) interface reconstruction method. It uses the zeroth, first, and second moments of the fragment of material inside a cell of the mesh to reconstruct a convex material polygon or a union of convex polygons that approximate the respective material fragment. The new method requires information about the material moments only for the cell under consideration. Furthermore, the MOF 2 method allows to exactly reproduce several convex shapes: corners, filaments, and some concave shapes: cell-complements to corners and filaments.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

An adaptive moments-based interface reconstruction using intersection of the cell with one half-plane, two half-planes and a circle

We present a new adaptive moment-of-fluid (A-MOF) interface reconstruction method. It uses the zeroth, first, and second moments of the fragment of material inside a cell of the mesh to construct a shape that approximates the respective material fragment. The new method requires information about the material moments only for the cell under consideration. The adaptive method chooses between shapes obtained by the intersection of the cell with one half-plane, two half-planes, or a circle. The A-MOF method allows to exactly reproduce several convex shapes: corners, filaments, and their concave cell-complements; as well as pieces of the circles and its cell-compliments. Interface reconstruction is formulated as a local (for each cell), non-linear, equality constrained optimization problem, which does not require additional communication and allows for an efficient parallel implementation. In conclusion, we present an extensive set of test problems, both for interface reconstruction on a single cell, and for reconstruction of a variety of shapes on the entire mesh.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Field moment expansion method for interacting bosonic systems

In this work, we introduce a numerical method and python package, https://github.com/andillio/CHiMES, that simulates quantum systems initially well approximated by mean field theory using a second order extension of the classical field approach. We call this the field moment expansion method. In this way, we can accurately approximate the evolution of first and second field moments beyond where the mean field theory breaks down. This allows us to estimate the quantum breaktime of a classical approximation without any calculations external to the theory. We investigate the accuracy of the field moment expansion using a number of well studied quantum test problems. Interacting Bosonic systems similar to scalar field dark matter are chosen as test problems. We find that successful application of this method depends on two conditions: the quantum system must initially be well described by the classical theory, and that the growth of the higher order moments be hierarchical.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Power Density Distributions in Electron Beams

Measuring and controlling the power density distribution of electron beams used for welding is critical for producing repeatable welds and for transferring welding parameters between different machines. On any given machine, the power density distribution is controlled by defocusing the beam relative to its sharpest focused condition. However, measuring the power density distribution can be difficult due to the intense nature of welding beams and is further complicated by imperfect electron optics that can distort the beam, making it difficult to quantify. The enhanced modified Faraday cup (EMFC) diagnostic method was used here for beam analysis that utilizes computed tomography to reconstruct the beam’s power density distribution. These results were compared to the International Standards Organization (ISO) method for characterizing laser beams using a second-moment D4σ calculation. For ideal Gaussian-shaped beams, both methods would give the same result. However, for imperfect beams, the calculated D4σ diameter was shown to be about 25% larger relative to the FWe2 diameter measured by the EMFC due to the heavier weighting of data in the tails of the beam by D4σ. Finally, although both methods produce repeatable welds, it is important to understand the differences in the reported beam diameters, divergence angles, and beam parameter products when transferring parameters between machines.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

First-principles electronic structure in second-moment calculation of mode frequencies: Failure of quasiharmonic approximation in silicon

Using first-principles electronic structure calculations (local density approximation), we present second-moment calculations of the temperature dependence of the vibrational normal mode frequencies in Si up to 1500 K . The method is based on simple ensemble averages of displacements and forces and is easy to implement. These efficient calculations incorporate all interactions nonperturbatively, implicitly including all high order force constants, in contrast to typical perturbative approaches. Also in this work, we propose and apply to our classical calculations an estimated quantum correction that could be used for classical approaches other than the moments method. We compare our results to available experiments, including recent inelastic neutron scattering data and conclude that the second-moment gives the frequency shift to within a factor of 2 in contrast to quasiharmonic approaches that fail by an order of magnitude to predict the anharmonic shift. Noting the relative simplicity and speed of the calculations, we conclude that the second-moment approximation reasonably accounts for anharmonicity in a system that has been very closely studied experimentally and may reliably be applied in an exploratory way to more complex systems. Finally, we suggest that further improvement on the results could be obtained by incorporating the fourth moment, which can be implemented with little additional cost.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Improvements to a class of hybrid methods for radiation transport: Nyström reconstruction and defect correction methods

In this study, two modifications are introduced for improving the accuracy, versatility, and robustness of a class of hybrid methods for radiation transport. In general, such methods are constructed by splitting the radiative flux into collided and uncollided components to which low- and high-resolution angular approximations are applied, respectively. In this work we focus on discrete ordinates discretizations of high and low order. The first modification we introduce changes the way in which the collided component is mapped into the uncollided component at the end of each time step in a simulation. The new mapping is a Nyström-type reconstruction that is applicable to arbitrary discrete ordinates quadratures, is guaranteed to preserve positivity of the solution provided that all ordinate weights are positive, is significantly more accurate than previous methods, and can be readily extended to other discretizations such as moment methods, finite element methods, and diffusion approximations. The second modification leverages integral deferred correction (IDC) to iteratively correct for the splitting error introduced by the inconsistency in angular discretization between the collided and uncollided components, in addition to improving the accuracy of the low-order temporal error that is treated by traditional IDC methods. Numerical tests in one- and two-dimensional geometries are used to demonstrate the increased accuracy and efficiency of the proposed modifications. It is found that the two techniques combined yield methods with solution accuracy and memory requirements comparable to that of monolithic discrete ordinates methods while reducing runtime by as much as a factor of between two and ten, depending on the problem.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Beyond the two-point correlation: Constraining primordial non-Gaussianity with density-perturbation moments

Constraining primordial non-Gaussianity (PNG) on the large-scale cosmic structure (LSS) is an important step in understanding properties of the early Universe, specifically in distinguishing between different inflationary models. Measuring PNG relies on evaluating the scale-dependent correlations in the density field. New summary statistics beyond the two- and three-point correlation functions in configuration space and their Fourier-space counterparts, the power- and bispectrum may provide increased sensitivity. We introduce a new method for extracting the PNG signal imprinted on the LSS by using the first three Gaussian moments of the normalized correlation in density perturbations, evaluated on varying distance scales. We aim to assess this method’s sensitivity to local PNG, parameterized by f NL . We performed spherical convolutions on a range of scales on dark-matter-halo simulations to measure the scale-dependent correlations in the density field. From these, we computed the first three moments and compared them to a model expectation vector, parameterized to the second power in f NL . Our method provides about 21% improvement in sensitivity to f NL with respect to using the two-point correlation function alone. Notably, we find that the second moment alone carries nearly as much constraining power as the mean, highlighting the potential of higher order statistics. Given its simplicity and efficiency, this framework is well suited for application to current and upcoming large-scale surveys such as the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).

early universe↗