10th Geant4 Space Users Workshop

US/Central
Jackson Center, Huntsville, Alabama, USA

Jackson Center, Huntsville, Alabama, USA

Description
The main workshop web page is here.
http://www-public.slac.stanford.edu/geant4/G4SUW2014/
    • 08:30 09:00
      Registration
    • 09:00 10:30
      Session 1 - Welcome and general status reports
      Convener: Dr Robert Weller (Vanderbilt ISDE)
      • 09:00
        Welcome 15m
        Speaker: Dr Dale Thomas (NASA/MSFC Associate Director Technical)
      • 09:15
        Status report from NASA/MSFC 25m
        Speaker: Dr Abdulnasser F. Barghouty (NASA/MFSC)
        Slides
      • 09:40
        Status report from NASA/JPL 25m
      • 10:05
        Status report from JAXA 25m
        JAXA and other Japanese space activity around Geant4 will be reported.
        Speaker: Dr Masanobu Ozaki (JAXA)
        Slides
    • 10:30 11:00
      break 30m
    • 11:00 12:30
      Session 2 - General status reports
      Convener: Dr Abdulnasser F. Barghouty (NASA/MSFC)
      • 11:00
        Invited talk - Space Launch Systems update 30m
        Speaker: Dr Keith Hefner (NASA Space Launch System Program Office - Associate Program Manager)
      • 11:30
        Status report from ESA 25m
        Speaker: Mr Petteri Nieminen (ESA)
        Slides
      • 11:55
        Report from the 2014 International Space Development Conference 25m
        The International Space Development Conference is presented annually by the National Space Society and is attended by scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and students interested in space exploration and exploitation. Topics range from space science to space settlement and include engagement and outreach programs. This talk will present a summary of interesting topics and impressions from the conference as well as excerpts from the Geant4 radiation protection talk presented there.
        Speaker: Dr Dennis Wright (SLAC)
        Slides
      • 12:20
        Discussion 10m
    • 12:30 14:00
      Lunch break 1h 30m
    • 14:00 15:30
      Session 3 - Space missions : instruments and detectors
      Convener: Dr Scott Miller (NASA/MSFC)
      • 14:00
        Advanced Neutron Spectrometer Simulation 25m
        A Geant4 simulation of the Advanced Neutron Spectrometer (ANS) will be described. ANS uses a volume of vinyltoluene scintillator with embedded scintillating glass fibers composed of 20% Li2O-15% MgO-64.4%SiO2-0.6%Ce2O3 with the lithium being 95% Li-6. Neutrons would be captured in the glass which has different scintillation characteristics in terms of spectral output and timing from vinyltoluene scintillator. The capture interaction here is n+Li-6->alpha+triton where the triton energy is 2.734 MeV and the alpha energy is 2.105 MeV. To reach energies where this interaction is probable the neutron must be at near thermal energies having lost energy through elastic scattering in the vinyltoluene scintillator. The approach in ANS is to identify the unique light pulse associated with a neutron capture event in the glass fiber and use the total light produced earlier in the vinyltoluene scintillator as a measure of primary neutron energy deposited in the detector volume. A GDML description of the ANS geometry and the appropriate materials was constructed for input into a Geant4 simulation tailor to transport neutron and describe the response of the various parts of the detector in detail. A key part of the simulation is the description of the optical characteristics of the scintillator material, the scintillator volume surface characteristics, and the optical coupling between the scintillator and the photomultiplier tube.
        Speaker: Mr John Watts (physicist)
        Slides
      • 14:25
        Geant4 simulation of extensive air showers 25m
        The Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO) is a new type of observatory that uses Earth’s atmosphere to detect the Extreme Energy Cosmic Rays (EECRs), those with energies in excess of 1018 eV. Studies of the nature of EECRs provide us with some information about the origin, acceleration and propagation of the primary cosmic rays. Such studies are based on the interpretation of the extensive air showers (EASs) measurements, which are cascade of particles generated in the atmosphere. A Geant4 application is under development to simulate EASs induced by primary cosmic ray particles. Calculations of EASs induced by protons and Iron beams above TeV will be presented and discussed.
        Speaker: Dr Mohammad Sabra (NASA/MSFC)
        Slides
      • 14:50
        Geant4 in ASTRO-H observatory development 25m
        ASTRO-H is an international X-ray observatory scheduled to be launched in 2015. To design a low particle and X-ray background structure and estimate the in-orbit background for observations planning, Geant4 acts as the central engine of the Monte Carlo simulation. Here we will present about the cosmic X-ray background shield study and the comparison between Geant4 ver.10 activation and a beam experiment data in short (1-20 min) time scale.
        Speaker: Dr Masanobu Ozaki (JAXA)
        Slides
    • 15:30 16:00
      break 30m
    • 16:00 17:30
      Session 4 - Single event effects
      Convener: Dr Masanobu Ozaki (JAXA)
      • 16:00
        3D TCAD and Mixed-Mode Simulation of Devices and ICs with Complex Nuclear Events from MRED/Geant4 25m
        Resolution of fine features is paramount for correctly describing the physics of device response to nuclear event. TCAD and circuit-device (mixed-mode) tools coupled with MRED/Geant4 for automated simulations of nanoscale complex nuclear event effects from ion tracks in integrated circuits devices are presented. 3D CFDRC NanoTCAD simulator includes automatic building of 3D models from integrated circuit layouts (GDSII), and generating and adaptation of computational mesh to fine nanoscale features of multi-branched high energy ion tracks produced by Vanderbilt University MRED/Geant4 package. Generation and parallel simulation of hundreds (or thousands) of events is automated with minimal user intervention. This approach allows significant increase in computation efficiency.
        Speaker: Dr Alex Fedoseyev (CFDRC)
      • 16:25
        Geant4 and Microelectronics - Recent Successes, Looming Concerns 25m
        Speakers: Dr Robert Reed (Vanderbilt ISDE), Prof. Robert Weller (Vanderbilt ISDE)
        Slides
    • 09:00 10:15
      Session 5 - Status reports from Geant4 developers
      Convener: Andrea Dotti (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)
      • 09:00
        General status updates and perspectives 25m
        Speaker: Dr Makoto ASAI (SLAC)
        Slides
      • 09:25
        Highlights in EM physics in v10.0 25m
        Speaker: Dr Tatsumi Koi (SLAC)
        Slides
      • 09:50
        Highlights in hadronic physics in v10.0 25m
        Speaker: Dr Dennis Wright (SLAC)
        Slides
    • 10:15 10:45
      break 30m
    • 10:45 12:00
      Session 6 - Status reports from Geant4 developers / Geant4 Technical Forum
      Convener: Dr Dennis Wright (SLAC)
      • 10:45
        Highlights in condensed matter (and other) physics 25m
        Speaker: Andrea Dotti (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)
        Slides
      • 11:10
        Isomer production in v10.0 25m
        Speaker: Dr Tatsumi Koi (SLAC)
        Slides
    • 12:00 13:00
      Lunch break 1h
    • 13:00 22:00
      Social event - Tour and Banquet NASA/MSFC, Rocket Center, etc.

      NASA/MSFC, Rocket Center, etc.

    • 09:00 10:30
      Session 7 - Radiation effects
      Convener: Mr Ashok Raman (CFDRC)
      • 09:00
        Application of a Systems Biology-based Approach to Infer Damage Mechanisms and Health Effects of Space Radiation 25m
        Exposure to space radiation and the associated health risks pose a major challenge to the growth of deep space exploration. The effects of such radiation on electronics and shielding have been studied in considerable detail and have led to novel methods and design strategies for minimizing equipment failure and developing hardening strategies. Similar efforts to better understand the effects of space radiation on human health utilize techniques such as DNA strand breaks, cytogenic analysis and molecular markers, and are often used to measure the late-effects of exposure to radiation. However, these approaches require sophisticated equipment, are typically based on destructive analysis of cells and are time consuming. There is a clear need for the development and validation of the early stage biomarkers of radiation exposure, which could lead to the development of improved therapeutic protectants, targeted drug delivery or other countermeasure or can be used to mitigate the severity of radiation exposure. In this context, we have developed and validated a systems biology based approach for identifying biomarkers from genomic samples. Our approach integrates features of the detected signaling pathways to construct a comprehensive network model. Cells exposed to different doses of radiation are analyzed for changes in gene expression. The upregulated or downregulated genes are used to automatically build a pathway model integrating diverse mechanism of action. A Boolean logic-based simulation of these complex pathways is used to determine an Active Core Pathway that captures the principal responses of the radiation exposure. Network modeling and analysis is subsequently applied to the cellular pathways to discover and rank biomarkers of radiation exposure. Model predictions are validated is performed by comparing with experimental studies. This approach can be integrated downstream of currently used software tools that compute dosages and energy-deposition in biological tissue (e.g., Geant4 DNA module) when an astronaut is exposed to radiation. Detection of one or more of the predicted radiation biomarkers of early-exposure can serve as a starting point for application of relevant therapeutics or countermeasures.
        Speaker: Dr Ravishankar R. Vallabhajosyula (CFD Research Corporation (CFDRC))
      • 09:25
        Using SPENVIS fo SUDA radiation modeling 25m
        We will present our first simulation results for TIDs for the SUDA instrument (SUrface Dust Analyzer) considered by ICEE for the Clipper mission. We will describe our workflow, experience with SPENVIS and share our recommendations for the shield design.
        Speaker: Svetlana Shasharina (Tech-X Corporation)
        Slides
      • 09:50
        A CUDA-based Monte Carlo Simulation for Radiation 25m
        In this talk we will describe a joint project between Stanford University, SLAC, KEK and NVIDIA for the development of a radiation therapy simulation system based on Geant4 physics that runs on GPUs. The system is capable of performing radiation simulation with electron and gamma primaries on voxelised geometries for the calculation of deposited dose in the voxels. The methodology implemented will be presented together with preliminary validation results and the speed-up gain obtained with respect to an equivalent CPU code based on full Geant4 simulation.
        Speaker: Andrea Dotti (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)
        Slides
    • 10:30 11:00
      break 30m
    • 11:00 12:30
      Session 8 - Software tools
      Convener: Dr Tatsumi Koi (SLAC)
      • 11:00
        A multi-format multi-geometry interface for Geant4/GRAS 25m
        The use of Geant4 to perform advanced space radiation analyses, over realistic S/C or P/L geometries, usually requires the radiation engineers to model the mass world combining a CAD/CAE design describing the mechanical structure, in turn an assembly of parts developed in parallel by collaborating teams, with specific Geant4 geometries natively built in GDML or with alternative descriptions coming from other physics simulation codes, such as TCAD tools for device simulation or the SPIS toolkit for plasma interaction. Although there already exists solutions to import CAD/CAE designs, via STEP-GDML converters, or translate SPIS mesh geometries into Geant4, via specific Gmsh developments during the ELSHIELD project, however there is no common interface to load and combine multiple geometrical descriptions into a single simulation world. A new set of new Geant4/GRAS geometrical classes will be presented, showing how users can easily load several geometrical designs, defined in the same or different format, and assemble them arbitrarily. Current implementation provides interfaces to combine files in GDML, Gmsh and STEP (via Gmsh) format. In addition, a preliminary geometry parser for TCAD layouts, based on CIF format, will be also presented.
        Speaker: Mr Sergio Ibarmia (INTA)
        Slides
      • 11:25
        Towards CAD, GUI, and materials combining with Geant4 25m
        This discusses and effort to develop a GUI to allow efficient use of CAD within Geant4, including the ability to import, combine materials, and do fast modeling based on DAGMC. A demo will be shown.
        Speaker: Dr John Cary (Tech-X Corporation)
        Slides
      • 11:50
        Geant4 Simulations Activities at JPL 25m
        My presentation will show several Geant4 applications developed past few months for Europa mission and others at JPL. The focus will be on adaptation of GDML to create a few complicated models via FASTRAD. I will show some Geant4 models and report preliminary test results.
    • 12:30 14:00
      Social event - luncheon seminar

      Luncheon seminar sponsored by CFDRC is held on May 29th (Thursday). The guest speaker is a retired NASA astronaut Dr. Jan Davis, who is currently Vice President and Deputy General Manager at Jacobs. All workshop participants are invited.

    • 14:00 15:30
      Session 9 - Radiation environments and shielding
      Convener: Dr Robert Reed (ISDE/Vanderbilt University)
      • 14:00
        Geant4 Simulations of Space Radiation Sensors at The Aerospace Corporation 25m
        Geant4 is a vital tool for understanding and calibrating the response of space-borne radiation sensors at The Aerospace Corporation. In the year since the last Geant4 Space Users' Workshop, we have taken advantage of new physics lists that include nuclear interactions of heavy ion projectiles on heavy ion targets to improve our understanding of the response of the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER) aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter as it measures the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) environment. We have also used these improvements in Geant4 physics to model the production of secondary particles under GCR bombardment of the lunar surface, which are also measured by CRaTER, and we plan to perform a similar calculation for GCR secondaries produced by Earth's atmosphere, the neutrons among which create the protons trapped in the Inner Van Allen Belt as they decay in flight. Aboard the Van Allen Probes, we are in the process of modeling the detailed response of the Magnetic Electron/Ion Spectrometer (MagEIS) sensor heads, starting with the high-energy electron head that nominally responds to electrons of a few MeV but that also has background from higher-energy electrons and penetrating protons. We are also continuing to refine our understanding of the Relativistic Proton Spectrometer to the highest-energy protons in the magnetosphere and to GCRs, modifying our simulations to better reproduce the observations.
        Speaker: Dr Mark Looper (The Aerospace Corporation)
        Slides
      • 14:25
        Simulating the detector response of MAVEN's Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) instrument with Geant4 25m
        The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission will orbit Mars to improve our understanding of how Mars lost most of its atmosphere. Launched in November 2013, MAVEN will go into orbit around Mars in September 2014. Its payload consists of several complementary instruments (in situ and remote sensing), including the two Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) detectors. Simulations in Geant4 have been used to determine the thickness of the "dead" layer of the detectors, as well as the low-energy geometric factor. More importantly, simulations are currently in progress to observe the instrument's response to several particle types with a large range of initial energies. The results of these simulations will be used (via convolution) to improve the interpretation of actual energy deposits recorded by SEP.
        Speaker: Mr Patrick Dunn (University of California, Berkeley)
        Slides
      • 14:50
        Multithreading capabilities in v10.0 25m
        Speaker: Andrea Dotti (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)
        Slides
    • 15:30 16:00
      break 30m
    • 16:00 17:00
      Session 10 - Open discussion and workshop closing
      Convener: Dr Makoto ASAI (SLAC)
      • 16:00
        How to migrate to multithreading 20m
        Speaker: Dr Makoto ASAI (SLAC)
        Slides
      • 16:20
        Open discussion and workshop closing 40m