MCViNE- An object oriented Monte Carlo neutron ray tracing simulation package

Lin, J. Y. Y.; Smith, Hillary L.; Granroth, Garrett E.; Abernathy, Douglas L.; Lumsden, Mark D.; Winn, Barry L.; Aczel, Adam A.; Aivazis, Michael; Fultz, Brent

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2015.11.118

MCViNE- An object oriented Monte Carlo neutron ray tracing simulation package

Journal Article · Sat Nov 28 00:00:00 EST 2015 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2015.11.118· OSTI ID:1238731

Lin, J. Y. Y. ^[1]; Smith, Hillary L. ^[2]; Granroth, Garrett E. ^[3]; Abernathy, Douglas L. ^[3]; Lumsden, Mark D. ^[3]; Winn, Barry L. ^[3]; Aczel, Adam A. ^[3]; Aivazis, Michael ^[4]; Fultz, Brent ^[4]

California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA (United States); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
California Inst. of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States)
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA (United States)

MCViNE (Monte-Carlo VIrtual Neutron Experiment) is an open-source Monte Carlo (MC) neutron ray-tracing software for performing computer modeling and simulations that mirror real neutron scattering experiments. We exploited the close similarity between how instrument components are designed and operated and how such components can be modeled in software. For example we used object oriented programming concepts for representing neutron scatterers and detector systems, and recursive algorithms for implementing multiple scattering. Combining these features together in MCViNE allows one to handle sophisticated neutron scattering problems in modern instruments, including, for example, neutron detection by complex detector systems, and single and multiple scattering events in a variety of samples and sample environments. In addition, MCViNE can use simulation components from linear-chain-based MC ray tracing packages which facilitates porting instrument models from those codes. Furthermore it allows for components written solely in Python, which expedites prototyping of new components. These developments have enabled detailed simulations of neutron scattering experiments, with non-trivial samples, for time-of-flight inelastic instruments at the Spallation Neutron Source. Examples of such simulations for powder and single-crystal samples with various scattering kernels, including kernels for phonon and magnon scattering, are presented. As a result, with simulations that closely reproduce experimental results, scattering mechanisms can be turned on and off to determine how they contribute to the measured scattering intensities, improving our understanding of the underlying physics.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1238731

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 22561810
OSTI ID: 1397568

Journal Information:: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment Journal Issue: C Vol. 810; ISSN 0168-9002

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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