Difference between revisions of "Result estimators"

From Serpent Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
m
(14 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
 
The Monte Carlo transport simulation is run to obtain statistical estimates
 
The Monte Carlo transport simulation is run to obtain statistical estimates
 
for integrals of the form:
 
for integrals of the form:
 +
  
 
<math>
 
<math>
F = \int_t\int_V\int_\dirvec\int_Ef\Variables\aflux\Variablest dVd\dirvec dE dt
+
F = \int_t\int_V\int_\mathbf{\hat{\Omega}}\int_Ef(\mathbf{r}, \mathbf{\hat{\Omega}}, E)\psi(\mathbf{r}, \mathbf{\hat{\Omega}}, E, t) dVd\mathbf{\hat{\Omega}} dE dt
 
</math>
 
</math>
  
where $f$ is a response function that can be evaluated at an arbitrary position
+
 
 +
where <math>f</math> is a response function that can be evaluated at an arbitrary position
 
of the phase space, most typically a reaction cross section. These estimates
 
of the phase space, most typically a reaction cross section. These estimates
 
are based on the collection of simulated events (collisions, track-lengths,
 
are based on the collection of simulated events (collisions, track-lengths,
Line 38: Line 39:
 
over the variables.
 
over the variables.
  
The analog estimators used by Serpent 2 are listed below.
+
Examples of analog estimators used by Serpent 2 include:
 
+
*The analog estimate of k<sub>eff</sub> (<nowiki>ANA_KEFF</nowiki>), given by the ratio of produced and starting population weight in each generation. The estimate is calculated separately for for new fission neutrons produced by all, prompt and delayed neutrons.
=== Analog estimate of k<sub>eff</sub> ===
+
*Analog reaction rate estimators calculated by counting the number of sampled reactions (invoked by option [[Input syntax manual#set arr|set arr]]).
 
+
*[[Surface current detector]]
The analog estimate of k<sub>eff</sub> (<nowiki>ANA_KEFF</nowiki>) is given by the ratio of produced and starting population weight in each generation. The estimate is calculated separately for for new fission neutrons produced by all, prompt and delayed neutrons.
+
Analog estimator is also used to collect data on scattering events for the scattering matrices.
 
+
=== Analog reaction rate estimators ===
+
 
+
=== Surface flux and current detectors ===
+
  
 
== Implicit estimators ==
 
== Implicit estimators ==
Line 58: Line 55:
 
the probability of sampling reaction <math>x</math>  
 
the probability of sampling reaction <math>x</math>  
 
is the ratio of the reaction cross section to material total:
 
is the ratio of the reaction cross section to material total:
 +
  
 
<math>
 
<math>
 
P_x = \frac{\Sigma_x}{\Sigma}
 
P_x = \frac{\Sigma_x}{\Sigma}
 
</math>
 
</math>
 +
  
 
The probability is the same whether the reaction was actually sampled or not,
 
The probability is the same whether the reaction was actually sampled or not,
Line 70: Line 69:
 
number of sampled reactions, the implicit estimator gives better statistics.
 
number of sampled reactions, the implicit estimator gives better statistics.
 
The overall score is given by the sum over all collisions:
 
The overall score is given by the sum over all collisions:
 +
  
 
<math>
 
<math>
 
x_n = \sum_i s_i
 
x_n = \sum_i s_i
 
</math>
 
</math>
 +
  
 
where the CFE is written as:
 
where the CFE is written as:
 +
  
 
<math>
 
<math>
 
s_i = \frac{f(\mathbf{r},E)}{\Sigma(\mathbf{r},E)}
 
s_i = \frac{f(\mathbf{r},E)}{\Sigma(\mathbf{r},E)}
 
</math>
 
</math>
 +
  
 
and <math>f</math> is the response function and <math>\Sigma</math> is the cross section that
 
and <math>f</math> is the response function and <math>\Sigma</math> is the cross section that
 
was used for sampling the path length. It should be noted that with [[Delta- and surface-tracking#Transport algorithms in Monte Carlo simulation|delta-tracking]] this cross section is not necessarily the physical material total.
 
was used for sampling the path length. It should be noted that with [[Delta- and surface-tracking#Transport algorithms in Monte Carlo simulation|delta-tracking]] this cross section is not necessarily the physical material total.
  
Serpent uses the CFE for all integral result estimates, including the common detector types.
+
Serpent uses the CFE for all integral result estimates, including the common detector types. The scores are based on physical collisions. Virtual collisions are included if the material total cross section falls below a pre-defined limit. This is to ensure a sufficient collision rate in low density materials. The limit can be adjusted using the [[Input syntax manual#set minxs|set minxs]] input option.
  
 
=== Track-length flux estimator (TLE) ===
 
=== Track-length flux estimator (TLE) ===
Line 91: Line 94:
 
neutron flux (TLE), which is based on the collection of neutron tracks.
 
neutron flux (TLE), which is based on the collection of neutron tracks.
 
The overall score is given by the sum over all tracks:
 
The overall score is given by the sum over all tracks:
 +
  
 
<math>
 
<math>
 
x_n = \sum_i s_i
 
x_n = \sum_i s_i
 
</math>
 
</math>
 +
  
 
where the TLE is written as:
 
where the TLE is written as:
 +
  
 
<math>
 
<math>
 
s_i = lf(E)
 
s_i = lf(E)
 
</math>
 
</math>
 +
  
 
and <math>l</math> is the path length traveled by the neutron between collisions
 
and <math>l</math> is the path length traveled by the neutron between collisions
Line 129: Line 136:
  
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
 +
[[Category:Theory]]

Revision as of 14:21, 29 November 2017

The Monte Carlo transport simulation is run to obtain statistical estimates for integrals of the form:



F = \int_t\int_V\int_\mathbf{\hat{\Omega}}\int_Ef(\mathbf{r}, \mathbf{\hat{\Omega}}, E)\psi(\mathbf{r}, \mathbf{\hat{\Omega}}, E, t) dVd\mathbf{\hat{\Omega}} dE dt


where f is a response function that can be evaluated at an arbitrary position of the phase space, most typically a reaction cross section. These estimates are based on the collection of simulated events (collisions, track-lengths, surface crossings, etc.) that occur during the course of the simulated random walk.

The estimates can be divided into:

  1. Analog estimates, based on recorded simulated physical events
  2. Implicit estimators, based the expected frequency of events

Implicit estimators are derived from analog estimators, with the purpose of obtaining better statistics.


Analog estimators

Analog estimates are the most straightforward way to obtain physical results from the Monte Carlo transport simulation. Each particle history consists of a number of events containing relevant information on the transport process, which can be counted as-is, for example:

  • Collisions
  • Sampled reactions
  • Crossed surfaces
  • Neutrons emitted in fission

The integration domain is defined by separating the scores into different bins based on particle position, energy and time (and direction of motion). For example:

  • Fission rate in a specific fuel pin -- count the number of simulated fission events in that fuel pin (integration over specific volume)
  • Thermal neutron absorption in coolant -- count the number of neutrons absorbed in the coolant with energy in the thermal region (integration over specific volume and energy)
  • Total fission rate as function of time -- count the number of fissions, and place the results in successive bins depending on the time of the event (integration over specific time)

These examples also illustrate the fact the results are always integrated over the variables.

Examples of analog estimators used by Serpent 2 include:

  • The analog estimate of keff (ANA_KEFF), given by the ratio of produced and starting population weight in each generation. The estimate is calculated separately for for new fission neutrons produced by all, prompt and delayed neutrons.
  • Analog reaction rate estimators calculated by counting the number of sampled reactions (invoked by option set arr).
  • Surface current detector

Analog estimator is also used to collect data on scattering events for the scattering matrices.

Implicit estimators

Implicit estimators are derived from analog estimators, but instead of scoring events that actually occured during the simulation, the estimates are based on the expected occurrance of the evens. The implicit estimators used in Serpent 2 are listed below.

Collision flux estimator (CFE)

Implicit estimators are best understood by considering the collision estimate of particle flux (CFE). When a collision occurs at a given position, the probability of sampling reaction x is the ratio of the reaction cross section to material total:



P_x = \frac{\Sigma_x}{\Sigma}


The probability is the same whether the reaction was actually sampled or not, so counting P_x as the result estimate means that the overall score reflects the statistically expected number of reactions x.

Since the total number of collisions is always greater than or equal to the number of sampled reactions, the implicit estimator gives better statistics. The overall score is given by the sum over all collisions:



x_n = \sum_i s_i


where the CFE is written as:



s_i = \frac{f(\mathbf{r},E)}{\Sigma(\mathbf{r},E)}


and f is the response function and \Sigma is the cross section that was used for sampling the path length. It should be noted that with delta-tracking this cross section is not necessarily the physical material total.

Serpent uses the CFE for all integral result estimates, including the common detector types. The scores are based on physical collisions. Virtual collisions are included if the material total cross section falls below a pre-defined limit. This is to ensure a sufficient collision rate in low density materials. The limit can be adjusted using the set minxs input option.

Track-length flux estimator (TLE)

Another commonly used implicit estimator is the track-length estimate of neutron flux (TLE), which is based on the collection of neutron tracks. The overall score is given by the sum over all tracks:



x_n = \sum_i s_i


where the TLE is written as:



s_i = lf(E)


and l is the path length traveled by the neutron between collisions and surface crossings. The relation to flux is seen in that the integral flux is equal to the sum of total path lengths traveled by neutrons in the medium.

The TLE can be used similar to CFE, but there are a few differences:

  • Since TLE is scored each time the neutron passes through a region, whether it collides or not, the number of scores is always greater than or equal to that of the CFE.
  • Since CFE is based on collisions that occur in discrete points in space, it can be used for calculating reaction rates in inhomogeneous material regions.

Most Monte Carlo codes rely on the use of track-length estimators, because of their superior performance. The differences are emphasized in a few specific cases:

  • Calculation of flux integrals in optically thin regions (high probability to pass through, low probability to collide).
  • Calculation of reaction rates with high threshold energy (fission neutrons exiting the fuel pin always contribute to TLE but only rarely to CFE).
  • Calculation of reaction rates in low density or void regions (few or zero collisions for CFE, although the problem can be overcome by introducing virtual collisions).
  • Calculation of reaction rates in regions located far or isolated from the active source (already poor statistics).

Practical experience with has shown, however, that there is usually no major difference between the two estimators in reactor physics applications, in which reaction rates are most typically scored in regions of high collision rate near the active source.[1]

Because the transport algorithm in Serpent is based on delta-tracking (which does not account for surface crossings), the track-length estimator is not a practical choice for calculating integral reaction rates. The method is used only for super-imposed TLE and surface current detectors, and the calculation of surface fluxes and currents for assembly discontinuity factors.

References

  1. ^ Leppänen, J. "Performance of Woodcock delta-tracking in lattice physics applications using the Serpent Monte Carlo reactor physics burnup calculation code." Ann. Nucl. Energy 37 (2010) 715–722.