arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Maria Grazia Pia.
A software package has been developed to bridge the R analysis model with the conceptual analysis environment typical of radiation physics experiments. The new package has been used in the context of a project for the validation of simulation models, where it has demonstrated its capability to satisfy typical requirements pertinent to the problem domain.
Various issues related to the complexity of apprais- ing the capabilities of physics models implemented in Monte Carlo simulation codes and the evolution of the functional quality the associated software are considered, such as the dependence on the experimental environment where the software operates and its sensitivity to detector characteristics. The concept of software validity as relative to the environment is illustrated by means of a real-life experimental test case. Methods and techniques to mitigate the risk of deteriorating the quality of the software are critically discussed: they concern various disciplines of the software development process. Quantitative validation of physics models is advocated as a method to appraise their capabilities objectively and to monitor the evolution of their associated software behavior.
Several physics methods for the simulation of the photoelectric effect are quantitatively evaluated with respect to a large collection of experimental data retrieved from the literature. They include theoretical and empirical calculations of total and partial cross sections, and calculations of the photoelectron angular distribution. Some of these models are currently implemented in general purpose Monte Carlo systems; some have been implemented and evaluated for possible use in Monte Carlo particle transport for the first time in this study.
The first results of a project in progress for the validation of the simulation of electron-positron pair production are presented. They concern the pair production cross section in a low energy range close to the production threshold. The results hint to effects due to the granularity of tabulated cross sections.
In the context of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of particle transport Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) addresses the issue of predicting non statistical errors affecting the physical results, i.e. errors deriving mainly from uncertainties in the physics data and/or in the model they embed. In the case of a single uncertainty a simple analytical relation exists among its the Probability Density Function (PDF) and the corresponding PDF for the output of the simulation: this allows a complete statistical analysis of the results of the simulation. We examine the extension of this result to the multi-variate case, when more than one of the physical input parameters are affected by uncertainties: a typical scenario is the prediction of the dependence of the simulation on input cross section tabulations.
The simulation of radioactive decays is a common task in Monte-Carlo systems such as Geant4. Usually, a system either uses an approach focusing on the simulations of every individual decay or an approach which simulates a large number of decays with a focus on correct overall statistics. The radioactive decay package presented in this work permits, for the first time, the use of both methods within the same simulation framework - Geant4. The accuracy of the statistical approach in our new package, RDM-extended, and that of the existing Geant4 per-decay implementation (original RDM), which has also been refactored, are verified against the ENSDF database. The new verified package is beneficial for a wide range of experimental scenarios, as it enables researchers to choose the most appropriate approach for their Geant4-based application.
Geant4-based simulations of the energy deposited by electrons in various materials are quantitatively compared to high precision calorimetric measurements taken at Sandia Laboratories. The experimental data concern electron beams of energy between a few tens of keV and 1 MeV at various incidence angles. Two experimental scenarios are evaluated: the longitudinal energy deposition pattern in a finely segmented detector, and the total energy deposited in a larger size calorimeter. The simulations are produced with Geant4 versions from 9.1 to 9.6; they involve models of electron-photon interactions in the standard and low energy electromagnetic packages, and various implementations of electron multiple scattering. Significant differences in compatibility with experimental data are observed in the longitudinal energy deposition patterns produced by the examined Geant4 versions, while the total deposited energy exhibits smaller variations across the various Geant4 versions, with the exception Geant4 9.4. The validation analysis, based on statistical methods, shows that the best compatibility between simulation and experimental energy deposition profiles is achieved using electromagnetic models based on the EEDL and EPDL evaluated data libraries with Geant4 9.1. The results document the accuracy achievable in the simulation of the energy deposited by low energy electrons with Geant4; they provide guidance for application in similar experimental scenarios and for improving Geant4.
Radioactive decays are of concern in a wide variety of applications using Monte-Carlo simulations. In order to properly estimate the quality of such simulations, knowledge of the accuracy of the decay simulation is required. We present a validation of the original Geant4 Radioactive Decay Module, which uses a per-decay sampling approach, and of an extended package for Geant4-based simulation of radioactive decays, which, in addition to being able to use a refactored per-decay sampling, is capable of using a statistical sampling approach. The validation is based on measurements of calibration isotope sources using a high purity Germanium (HPGe) detector; no calibration of the simulation is performed. For the considered validation experiment equivalent simulation accuracy can be achieved with per-decay and statistical sampling.
Monte Carlo simulation is an essential component of experimental particle physics in all the phases of its life-cycle: the investigation of the physics reach of detector concepts, the design of facilities and detectors, the development and optimization of data reconstruction software, the data analysis for the production of physics results. This note briefly outlines some research topics related to Monte Carlo simulation, that are relevant to future experimental perspectives in particle physics. The focus is on physics aspects: conceptual progress beyond current particle transport schemes, the incorporation of materials science knowledge relevant to novel detection technologies, functionality to model radiation damage, the capability for multi-scale simulation, quantitative validation and uncertainty quantification to determine the predictive power of simulation. The R&D on simulation for future detectors would profit from cooperation within various components of the particle physics community, and synergy with other experimental domain sharing similar simulation requirements.
Several models for the simulation of photon elastic scattering are quantitatively evaluated with respect to a large collection of experimental data retrieved from the literature. They include models based on the form factor approximation, on S-matrix calculations and on analytical parameterizations; they exploit publicly available data libraries and tabulations of theoretical calculations. Some of these models are currently implemented in general purpose Monte Carlo systems; some have been implemented and evaluated for the first time in this paper for possible use in Monte Carlo particle transport. The analysis mainly concerns the energy range between 5 keV and a few MeV. The validation process identifies the newly implemented model based on second order S-matrix calculations as the one best reproducing experimental measurements. The validation results show that, along with Rayleigh scattering, additional processes, not yet implemented in Geant4 nor in other major Monte Carlo systems, should be taken into account to realistically describe photon elastic scattering with matter above 1 MeV. Evaluations of the computational performance of the various simulation algorithms are reported along with the analysis of their physics capabilities.
The ATHENA X-ray Observatory-IXO is a planned multinational orbiting X-ray observatory with a focal length of 11.5m. ATHENA aims to perform pointed observations in an energy range from 0.1 keV to 15 keV with high sensitivity. For high spatial and timing resolution imaging and spectroscopic observations the 640x640 pixel^2 large DePFET-technology based Wide field Imager (WFI) focal plane detector, providing a field of view of 18 arcsec will be the main detector. Based on the actual mechanics, thermal and shielding design we present estimates for the WFI cosmic ray induced background obtained by the use of Monte-Carlo simulations and possible background reduction measures.
Three software systems, ERCS08, ISICS 2011 and Šmit's code, that implement theoretical calculations of inner shell ionization cross sections by proton impact, are validated with respect to experimental data. The accuracy of the cross sections they generate is quantitatively estimated and inter-compared through statistical methods. Updates and extensions of a cross section data library relevant to PIXE simulation with Geant4 are discussed.
Two models for the calculation of ionization cross sections by electron impact on atoms, the Binary-Encouter-Bethe and the Deutsch-Maerk models, have been implemented; they are intended to extend and improve Geant4 simulation capabilities in the energy range below 1 keV. The physics features of the implementation of the models are described, and their differences with respect to the original formulations are discussed. Results of the verification with respect to the original theoretical sources and of extensive validation with respect to experimental data are reported. The validation process also concerns the ionization cross sections included in the Evaluated Electron Data Library used by Geant4 for low energy electron transport. Among the three cross section options, the Deutsch-Maerk model is identified as the most accurate at reproducing experimental data over the energy range subject to test.
ISICS, originally a C language program for calculating K-, L- and M-shell ionization and X-ray production cross sections from ECPSSR and PWBA theory, has been reengineered into a C++ language class, named ISICSoo. The new software design enables the use of ISICS functionality in other software systems. The code, originally developed for Microsoft Windows operating systems, has been ported to Linux and Mac OS platforms to facilitate its use in a wider scientific environment. The reengineered software also includes some fixes to the original implementation, which ensure more robust computational results and a review of some physics parameters used in the computation. The paper describes the software design and the modifications to the implementation with respect to the previous version; it also documents the test process and provides some indications about the software performance.
A survey of atomic binding energies used by general purpose Monte Carlo systems is reported. Various compilations of these parameters have been evaluated; their accuracy is estimated with respect to experimental data. Their effects on physics quantities relevant to Monte Carlo particle transport are highlighted: X-ray fluorescence emission, electron and proton ionization cross sections, and Doppler broadening in Compton scattering. The effects due to different binding energies are quantified with respect to experimental data. The results of the analysis provide quantitative ground for the selection of binding energies to optimize the accuracy of Monte Carlo simulation in experimental use cases. Recommendations on software design dealing with these parameters and on the improvement of data libraries for Monte Carlo simulation are discussed.
The issue of how epistemic uncertainties affect the outcome of Monte Carlo simulation is discussed by means of a concrete use case: the simulation of the longitudinal energy deposition profile of low energy protons. A variety of electromagnetic and hadronic physics models is investigated, and their effects are analyzed. Possible systematic effects are highlighted. The results identify requirements for experimental measurements capable of reducing epistemic uncertainties in the simulation.
The development of a package for the management of physics data is described: its design, implementation and computational benchmarks. This package improves the data management tools originally developed for Geant4 physics models based on the EADL, EEDL and EPDL97 data libraries. The implementation exploits recent evolutions of the C++ libraries appearing in the C++0x draft, which are intended for inclusion in the next C++ ISO Standard. The new tools improve the computational performance of physics data management.
An investigation is in progress to evaluate extensively and quantitatively the possible benefits and drawbacks of new programming paradigms in a Monte Carlo simulation environment, namely in the domain of physics modeling. The prototype design and extensive benchmarks, including a variety of rigorous quantitative metrics, are presented. The results of this research project allow the evaluation of new software techniques for their possible adoption in Monte Carlo simulation on objective, quantitative ground.