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M. G. Pia

Publications and source records attributed to M. G. Pia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2012

Precision analysis of Geant4 condensed transport effects on energy deposition in detectors

A comprehensive analysis of the effects of Geant4 algorithms for condensed transport in detectors is in progress. The first phase of the project focuses on electron multiple scattering, and studies two related observables: the longitudinal pattern of energy deposition in various materials, and the fraction of backscattered particles. The quality of the simulation is evaluated through comparison with high precision experimental measurements; several versions of Geant4 are analyzed to provide an extensive overview of the evolution of Geant4 multiple scattering algorithms and of their contribution to simulation accuracy.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2012

Algorithms and parameters for improved accuracy in physics data libraries

Recent efforts for the improvement of the accuracy of physics data libraries used in particle transport are summarized. Results are reported about a large scale validation analysis of atomic parameters used by major Monte Carlo systems (Geant4, EGS, MCNP, Penelope etc.); their contribution to the accuracy of simulation observables is documented. The results of this study motivated the development of a new atomic data management software package, which optimizes the provision of state-of-the-art atomic parameters to physics models. The effect of atomic parameters on the simulation of radioactive decay is illustrated. Ideas and methods to deal with physics models applicable to different energy ranges in the production of data libraries, rather than at runtime, are discussed.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2012

A new development cycle of the Statistical Toolkit

The Statistical Toolkit is an open source system specialized in the statistical comparison of distributions. It addresses requirements common to different experimental domains, such as simulation validation (e.g. comparison of experimental and simulated distributions), regression testing in the course of the software development process, and detector performance monitoring. Various sets of statistical tests have been added to the existing collection to deal with the one sample problem (i.e. the comparison of a data distribution to a function, including tests for normality, categorical analysis and the estimate of randomness). Improved algorithms and software design contribute to the robustness of the results. A simple user layer dealing with primitive data types facilitates the use of the toolkit both in standalone analyses and in large scale experiments.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2012

Publication patterns in HEP computing

An overview of the evolution of computing-oriented publications in high energy physics following the start of operation of LHC. Quantitative analyses are illustrated, which document the production of scholarly papers on computing-related topics by high energy physics experiments and core tools projects, and the citations they receive. Several scientometric indicators are analyzed to characterize the role of computing in high energy physics literature. Distinctive features of software-oriented and hardware-oriented scholarly publications are highlighted. Current patterns and trends are compared to the situation in previous generations' experiments.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2011

Quantifying the unknown: issues in simulation validation and their experimental impact

The assessment of the reliability of Monte Carlo simulations is discussed, with emphasis on uncertainty quantification and the related impact on experimental results. Methods and techniques to account for epistemic uncertainties, i.e. for intrinsic knowledge gaps in physics modeling, are discussed with the support of applications to concrete experimental scenarios. Ongoing projects regarding the investigation of epistemic uncertainties in the Geant4 simulation toolkit are reported.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2010

Ionisation Models for Nano-Scale Simulation

Two theory-driven models of electron ionization cross sections, the Binary-Encounter-Bethe model and the Deutsch-Märk model, have been design and implemented; they are intended to extend the simulation capabilities of the Geant4 toolkit. The resulting values, along with the cross sections included in the EEDL data library, have been compared to an extensive set of experimental data, covering more than 50 elements over the whole periodic table.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2010

Design, development and validation of electron ionisation models for nano-scale simulation

Two theory-driven models of electron ionization cross sections, the Binary-Encounter-Bethe model and the Deutsch-Märk model, have been design and implemented; they are intended to extend the simulation capabilities of the Geant4 toolkit. The resulting values, along with the cross sections included in the EEDL data library, have been compared to an extensive set of experimental data, covering more than 50 elements over the whole periodic table.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2010

New Physics Data Libraries for Monte Carlo Transport

The role of data libraries as a collaborative tool across Monte Carlo codes is discussed. Some new contributions in this domain are presented; they concern a data library of proton and alpha ionization cross sections, the development in progress of a data library of electron ionization cross sections and proposed improvements to the EADL (Evaluated Atomic Data Library), the latter resulting from an extensive data validation process.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2010

New models for PIXE simulation with Geant4

Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) is a physical effect that is not yet adequately modelled in Geant4. The current status as in Geant4 9.2 release is reviewed and new developments are described. The capabilities of the software prototype are illustrated in application to the shielding of the X-ray detectors of the eROSITA telescope on the upcoming Spectrum-X-Gamma space mission.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2010

R&D on co-working transport schemes in Geant4

A research and development (R&D) project related to the extension of the Geant4 toolkit has been recently launched to address fundamental methods in radiation transport simulation. The project focuses on simulation at different scales in the same experimental environment; this problem requires new methods across the current boundaries of condensed-random-walk and discrete transport schemes. The new developments have been motivated by experimental requirements in various domains, including nanodosimetry, astronomy and detector developments for high energy physics applications.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2010

Design and performance evaluations of generic programming techniques in a R&D prototype of Geant4 physics

A R&D project has been recently launched to investigate Geant4 architectural design in view of addressing new experimental issues in HEP and other related physics disciplines. In the context of this project the use of generic programming techniques besides the conventional object oriented is investigated. Software design features and preliminary results from a new prototype implementation of Geant4 electromagnetic physics are illustrated. Performance evaluations are presented. Issues related to quality assurance in Geant4 physics modelling are discussed.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2009

Research in Geant4 electromagnetic physics design, and its effects on computational performance and quality assurance

The Geant4 toolkit offers a rich variety of electromagnetic physics models; so far the evaluation of this Geant4 domain has been mostly focused on its physics functionality, while the features of its design and their impact on simulation accuracy, computational performance and facilities for verification and validation have not been the object of comparable attention yet, despite the critical role they play in many experimental applications. A new project is in progress to study the application of new design concepts and software techniques in Geant4 electromagnetic physics, and to evaluate how they can improve on the current simulation capabilities. The application of a policy-based class design is investigated as a means to achieve the objective of granular decomposition of processes; this design technique offers various advantages in terms of flexibility of configuration and computational performance. The current Geant4 physics models have been re-implemented according to the new design as a pilot project. The main features of the new design and first results of performance improvement and testing simplification are presented; they are relevant to many Geant4 applications, where computational speed and the containment of resources invested in simulation production and quality assurance play a critical role.

physics.comp-ph↗
arXiv2009

Geant4-related R&D for new particle transport methods

A R&D project has been launched in 2009 to address fundamental methods in radiation transport simulation and revisit Geant4 kernel design to cope with new experimental requirements. The project focuses on simulation at different scales in the same experimental environment: this set of problems requires new methods across the current boundaries of condensed-random-walk and discrete transport schemes. An exploration is also foreseen about exploiting and extending already existing Geant4 features to apply Monte Carlo and deterministic transport methods in the same simulation environment. An overview of this new R&D associated with Geant4 is presented, together with the first developments in progress.

physics.comp-ph↗