Parallel processing ITS

This report provides a users` guide for parallel processing ITS on a UNIX workstation network, a shared-memory multiprocessor or a massively-parallel processor. The parallelized version of ITS is based on a master/slave model with message passing. Parallel issues such as random number generation, load balancing, and communication software are briefly discussed. Timing results for example problems are presented for demonstration purposes

Distributed multitasking ITS with PVM

Advances of computer hardware and communication software have made it possible to perform parallel-processing computing on a collection of desktop workstations. For many applications, multitasking on a cluster of high-performance workstations has achieved performance comparable or better than that on a traditional supercomputer. From the point of view of cost-effectiveness, it also allows users to exploit available but unused computational resources, and thus achieve a higher performance-to-cost ratio. Monte Carlo calculations are inherently parallelizable because the individual particle trajectories can be generated independently with minimum need for interprocessor communication. Furthermore, the number of particle histories that can be generated in a given amount of wall-clock time is nearly proportional to the number of processors in the cluster. This is an important fact because the inherent statistical uncertainty in any Monte Carlo result decreases as the number of histories increases. For these reasons, researchers have expended considerable effort to take advantage of different parallel architectures for a variety of Monte Carlo radiation transport codes, often with excellent results. The initial interest in this work was sparked by the multitasking capability of MCNP on a cluster of workstations using the Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) software. On a 16-machine IBM RS/6000 cluster, it has been demonstrated that MCNP runs ten times as fast as on a single-processor CRAY YMP. In this paper, we summarize the implementation of a similar multitasking capability for the coupled electron/photon transport code system, the Integrated TIGER Series (ITS), and the evaluation of two load balancing schemes for homogeneous and heterogeneous networks

Adjoint electron-photon transport Monte Carlo calculations with ITS

A general adjoint coupled electron-photon Monte Carlo code for solving the Boltzmann-Fokker-Planck equation has recently been created. It is a modified version of ITS 3.0, a coupled electronphoton Monte Carlo code that has world-wide distribution. The applicability of the new code to radiation-interaction problems of the type found in space environments is demonstrated

Recent development for the ITS code system: Parallel processing and visualization

A brief overview is given for two software developments related to the ITS code system. These developments provide parallel processing and visualization capabilities and thus allow users to perform ITS calculations more efficiently. Timing results and a graphical example are presented to demonstrate these capabilities

Neutrino capture by r-process waiting-point nuclei

We use the Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation to include the effects of low-lying Gamow-Teller and first forbidden strength in neutrino capture by very neutron-rich nuclei with N = 50, 82, or 126. For electron neutrinos in what is currently considered the most likely r-process site the capture cross sections are two or more times previous estimates. We briefly discuss the reliability of our calculations and their implications for nucleosynthesis.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Ground and excited states Gamow-Teller strength distributions of iron isotopes and associated capture rates for core-collapse simulations

This paper reports on the microscopic calculation of ground and excited states Gamow-Teller (GT) strength distributions, both in the electron capture and electron decay direction, for $^{54,55,56}$Fe. The associated electron and positron capture rates for these isotopes of iron are also calculated in stellar matter. These calculations were recently introduced and this paper is a follow-up which discusses in detail the GT strength distributions and stellar capture rates of key iron isotopes. The calculations are performed within the framework of the proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (pn-QRPA) theory. The pn-QRPA theory allows a microscopic \textit{state-by-state} calculation of GT strength functions and stellar capture rates which greatly increases the reliability of the results. For the first time experimental deformation of nuclei are taken into account. In the core of massive stars isotopes of iron, $^{54,55,56}$Fe, are considered to be key players in decreasing the electron-to-baryon ratio ($Y_{e}$) mainly via electron capture on these nuclide. The structure of the presupernova star is altered both by the changes in $Y_{e}$ and the entropy of the core material. Results are encouraging and are compared against measurements (where possible) and other calculations. The calculated electron capture rates are in overall good agreement with the shell model results. During the presupernova evolution of massive stars, from oxygen shell burning stages till around end of convective core silicon burning, the calculated electron capture rates on $^{54}$Fe are around three times bigger than the corresponding shell model rates. The calculated positron capture rates, however, are suppressed by two to five orders of magnitude.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, 10 table

Beta-decay in odd-A and even-even proton-rich Kr isotopes

Beta-decay properties of proton-rich odd-A and even-even Krypton isotopes are studied in the framework of a deformed selfconsistent Hartree-Fock calculation with density-dependent Skyrme forces, including pairing correlations between like nucleons in BCS approximation. Residual spin-isospin interactions are consistently included in the particle-hole and particle-particle channels and treated in Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation. The similarities and differences in the treatment of even-even and odd-A nuclei are stressed. Comparison to available experimental information is done for Gamow-Teller strength distributions, summed strengths, and half-lives. The dependence of these observables on deformation is particularly emphasized in a search for signatures of the shape of the parent nucleus.Comment: 29 pages, 16 figure

ITS Version 4.0: Electron/photon Monte Carlo transport codes

The current publicly released version of the Integrated TIGER Series (ITS), Version 3.0, has been widely distributed both domestically and internationally, and feedback has been very positive. This feedback as well as our own experience have convinced us to upgrade the system in order to honor specific user requests for new features and to implement other new features that will improve the physical accuracy of the system and permit additional variance reduction. This presentation we will focus on components of the upgrade that (1) improve the physical model, (2) provide new and extended capabilities to the three-dimensional combinatorial-geometry (CG) of the ACCEPT codes, and (3) permit significant variance reduction in an important class of radiation effects applications

High energy electron beam joining of ceramic components

High strength, hermetic braze joints between ceramic components have been produced using high energy electron beams. With a penetration depth into a typical ceramic of {approximately}1 cm for a 10 MeV electron beam, this method provides the capability for rapid, transient brazing operations where temperature control of critical components is essential. The method deposits energy directly into a buried joint, allowing otherwise inaccessible interfaces to be brazed. Because of transient heating, higher thermal conductivity, lower heat capacity, and lower melting temperature of braze metals relative to the ceramic materials, a pulsed high power beam can melt a braze metal without producing excessive ceramic temperatures. We have demonstrated the feasibility of this process related to ceramic coupons as well as ceramic and glass tubes. The transient thermal response was predicted, using as input the energy absorption predicted from the coupled electron-photon transport analysis. The joining experiments were conducted with an RF Linac accelerator at 10-13 MV. The repetition rate of the pulsed beam was varied between 8 and 120 Hz, the average beam current was varied between 8 and 120 microamps, and the power was varied up to 1.5 kW. These beam parameters gave a beam power density between 0.2 to 2 kW/cm{sup 2}. The duration of the joining runs varied from 5 to 600 sec. Joining experiments have provided high strength between alumina - alumina and alumina - cermet joints in cylindrical geometry. These joints provided good hermetic seals. A series of tests was conducted to determine the minimum beam power and exposure time for producing, a hermetic seal