Simulation

The Plasma Physics Group (PPG) provides CLF users with support in theoretical and simulation models, and assists in code development in high power laser physics research.

User Engagement with the PPG

The PPG supports the CLF’s users by:

  • direct collaboration, including undertaking theoretical and simulation support activities
  • assisting in code development
  • helping supervise PhD students
  • hosting PhD students for extended periods

Simulations and high performance computing

Computer simulations of physical systems are an indispensable tool in the research process. Simulation codes use mathematical models implemented in software to approximate physical systems and processes. They can bridge the gap between theory and experiments.

Numerical simulations can serve the following purposes:

  • understanding experimental results: many experiments carried out at the CLF or elsewhere do not allow probing of all inner processes that may be of interest. Simulations that replicate the important aspects of an experiment can be used to identify the key processes at work
  • designing experiments: before an experiment is performed, numerical simulations are used to validate and optimise the experimental design. This increases the confidence that a desired effect will be observed
  • supporting theory: simulations of idealised systems can be used to isolate effects and provide support for theoretical predictions. This allows testing of fundamental ideas

Large scale numerical simulations require the appropriate computational infrastructure. High-performance computing (HPC) hardware and software resources available at the CLF are used to run simulations on hundreds and thousands of computer cores. Various simulation codes are developed and used that make use of the highly parallel hardware.

The computational resources available through the plasma physics group are as follows:

Codes

Hyades is a 1D radiation hydrodynamics simulation code. Hyades was developed by Cascade Applied Sciences. As it is 1D, advantages include faster run-times, and simpler setup and analysis. Hyades is a well-proven code which has been extensively developed over many years and has too many features to fully describe here, key features include:

  • planar, cylindrical, or spherical geometries
  • Tabular Equation of state and opacity data from Sesame
  • laser energy deposition
  • thermonuclear reaction rate calculations
  • alpha particle transport and energy deposition
  • strength models

SCARF

SCARF is the main HPC resource provided by STFC for users. You can apply for a SCARF account to support your activities at the CLF.

Applying for a Scarf account

First, you need to apply for a federal ID. Applying for a Federal ID consists of the two following steps:

  1. Apply for an account as a “Facility User” of the CLF
  2. Log back into the new “Facility User” account and apply for a Federal ID from there.
  3. Contact us once you have received your Federal ID and associated password. Then, you can apply for a Scarf account on the Scarf website.
  4. Contact us again after you have applied.

PRISM

CLF users may be interested in the software offered by PRISM Computational Sciences. The CLF currently has a multi-site licensing agreement with PRISM Computational Sciences that covers the following:

  • Imperial College London
  • Queens University Belfast
  • University of Oxford
  • University of Strathclyde
  • University of Warwick
  • University of York

This covers HELIOS-CR, VISRAD, PrismSPECT, SPECT3D and PROPACEOS.