Virtual experiments: the ultimate aim of neutron ray-tracing simulations

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lefmann, K.^{; ;} | Willendrup, P.K. | Udby, L. | Lebech, B.^; | Mortensen, K. | Birk, J.O.^; | Klenø, K.^{; ;} | Knudsen, E. | Christiansen, P.^; | Saroun, J. | Kulda, J. | Filges, U. | Konnecke, M. | Tregenna-Piggott, P. | Peters, J.^{; ; ;} | Lieutenant, K. | Zsigmond, G. | Bentley, P.^; | Farhi, E.

Affiliations: Risø National Laboratory, Materials Research Division, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark | Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark | Faculty of Life Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark | Institute of Physics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden | ILL, Grenoble, France | Laboratory for Development and Methods, PSI, Villigen, Switzerland | Laboratory for Neutron Scattering, PSI, Villigen, Switzerland | Helmholz Zentrum für Materialien und Energie, Berlin, Germany | J. Fourier University, Grenoble, France | IFE, Kjeller, Norway | European Spallation Source Scandinavia, University of Lund, Sweden | Nuclear Physics Institute, AS CR, Rez near Prague, Czech Republic | Institute de Biologie Structure, Genoblie, France

Note: [] Corresponding author. Email: lefmann@fys.ku.dk

Abstract: We define a virtual neutron experiment as a complete simulation of an experiment, from source over sample to detector. The virtual experiment (VE) will ideally interface with the instrument control software for the input and with standard data analysis packages for the virtual data output. Virtual experiments are beginning to make their way into neutron scattering science with applications as diverse as instrument design/upgrade, experiment planning, data analysis, test of analysis software, teaching, and outreach. In this paper, we summarize the recent developments in this field and make suggestions for future developments and use of VEs.

Keywords: Monte Carlo simulations, Neutron scattering, Neutron instrumentation, Data analysis

DOI: 10.1080/10238160902819684

Journal: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 16, no. 3, 4, pp. 97-111, 2008