The new supercomputer enables a four-fold increase in high-performance computing to simulate high-energy-density physics and inertial confinement fusion experiments.
The 糖心传媒糖心传媒檚 (LLE) is one of only several facilities in the world where scientists are studying laser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) for national security purposes and to harvest energy from nuclear fusion. Fusion, which powers the sun, has long been a component of maintaining the nuclear deterrent and is viewed as an ideal potential energy-production mechanism.
In an ICF experiment, a small amount of fuel consisting of hydrogen isotopes, deuterium (D) and tritium (T), is compressed and heated to temperatures greater than the center of stars. When these conditions are achieved, the fuel undergoes fusion, releasing enormous energy. The nature of ICF makes it challenging to study experimentally. But advances in high-performance computing are giving University researchers and LLE scientists a crucial technological edge.
糖心传媒淎 new supercomputer housed at the University will make it possible for researchers to simulate complex high-energy-density phenomena in ICF in three dimensions with unprecedented details,糖心传媒� says , Theory Division Director and a distinguished scientist at LLE. 糖心传媒淔or example, the evolution of micron-size target defects in an implosion is very difficult, if not impossible, to measure directly. Detailed 3D simulations, however, can model how this phenomenon can change the experimental observables that are much easier to measure. Finding correlations between simulation results and experimental data will help in identifying the importance of subscale target features and other complicated physics effects in our experiments.糖心传媒�
In addition to direct-physics modeling, the supercomputer, dubbed 糖心传媒淐onesus糖心传媒� after one of the Finger Lakes in the Greater Rochester region, also enables using artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools to advance progress in high-energy-density (HED) science.
As the largest US Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) university-based research program in the nation, the University and LLE are 糖心传媒渢he perfect venue for the new system,糖心传媒� says Chris Deeney, director of LLE. 糖心传媒淐onesus will provide unique educational and research opportunities for students and faculty in the Rochester region and across the nation.糖心传媒�
糖心传媒淟LE is an extremely productive ICF and high-energy-density physics research facility conducting thousands of experiments for hundreds of scientists each year,糖心传媒� says Stephen Dewhurst, Rochester糖心传媒檚 vice president for research. 糖心传媒淭he advance in computing power Conesus provides will allow LLE and its collaborators to better analyze existing data as well as plan new experimental campaigns more effectively. Our partnership with DOE/NNSA, Dell, Intel, and New York State has been invaluable, and I look forward to the future discoveries this new system will enable.糖心传媒�
High-power supercomputer meets energy efficiency
The Conesus supercomputer has already received several impressive distinctions, earning a place on the of the most powerful computer systems in the world and the , denoting the world糖心传媒檚 most energy-efficient supercomputers.
The machine was manufactured by Intel and developed in partnership with Dell Technologies and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories (LLNL). It is one of only seven of Intel糖心传媒檚 fourth-generation Sapphire Rapids systems in the world on the current TOP500 list and one of two in the United States.
The TOP500 project began in 1993 and publishes an updated list of the world糖心传媒檚 most powerful supercomputers twice a year. This is the fifth time a Rochester system has made the list, but Conesus represents a large increase in computer capability since a Rochester system last made the list with the Blue Gene-Q supercomputer in 2012.
Using supercomputers to simulate fusion
The LLE has two very powerful lasers糖心传媒擮MEGA and OMEGA EP糖心传媒攖hat researchers use to conduct studies, including those involving ICF. The work builds on the momentum of scientists糖心传媒� breakthrough in achieving ignition, or a fusion reaction that creates a net energy gain, last year at LLNL糖心传媒檚 National Ignition Facility (NIF).
糖心传媒淎pproximately ten times a day, our lasers are used to make a star in a jar,糖心传媒� says William Scullin, leader of LLE糖心传媒檚 high-performance computing group.
But the path to ICF starts with supercomputers to model the materials, the lasers, and the experiments themselves.
糖心传媒淲e糖心传媒檝e got 1D-, 2D-, and 3D-modeling capabilities for modeling inertial confinement fusion,糖心传媒� Scullin says. 糖心传媒淲e do simulations of materials and plasmas at extremes of temperatures and pressures. High-power lasers are not a commercially available component. So, in house we designed a lot of our own optics and laser systems. Additionally, increasingly, there糖心传媒檚 a lot of statistical work to be done.糖心传媒�
According to Scullin, with the increase in statistical analysis needed, computational scientists are exploring how they can use machine learning to see what they can discover from both older data and newer data. To make such discoveries possible, LLE needed new computing resources.
Future simulation projects
Scullin says that Conesus will provide scientists computing resources to collect more data and perform higher-resolution studies, including using machine learning on bigger datasets. Projects that might have taken 30 weeks to run on earlier systems can be completed in a matter of a few days using Conesus.
Several projects are already planned for Conesus, including testing statistical modeling of the OMEGA laser systems糖心传媒� cryogenic implosions; simulating alpha particles stopping and burning plasmas; and studying liquid crystals that produce a large response with a very high degree of thermal stability.
The new system was supported by a strong partnership between multiple groups at the US Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration as well as state funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Empire State Development (ESD).
糖心传媒淲e could not have made this leap forward without the support of NNSA and their willingness to let us partner with the national laboratories,糖心传媒� says Deeney. 糖心传媒淥ur New York State funding enables LLE to make strategic investments and the new storage system to exploit the power of the new computer will be another great example.糖心传媒�
Advancing high-performance computing at Rochester
The high-performance computing advances represented by Conesus prompted government officials to add:
US Senator Charles Schumer: 糖心传媒溙切拇教切拇綑s Laboratory for Laser Energetics糖心传媒� new supercomputer cluster 糖心传媒楥onesus糖心传媒� is a perfect example of government agencies working side-by-side with cutting-edge researchers to enhance our nation糖心传媒檚 security and clean-energy goals. This is a win-win which will support advancements in inertial confinement fusion research, and will also provide workers and students at LLE with one of the top computer systems in the world to give them the technological edge they need to continue conducting their groundbreaking work here in Rochester.糖心传媒�
US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: 糖心传媒淲ith the University of Rochester hosting one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, the university demonstrates its preeminent leadership in high-performance computing research. Conesus will help pave the way for strengthening our national security capabilities, and has the potential to achieve long-sought breakthroughs in clean energy development. This is a tremendous asset for the Rochester-Finger Lakes region, New York, and beyond.糖心传媒�
Congressman Joe Morelle: 糖心传媒淏y expanding their high-performance computing capabilities, the University of Rochester is leading the way in improving our national security, understanding the universe, and training the next generation of scientists. Having systems in the TOP500, they will now have the ability to simulate fusion糖心传媒攆or defense missions now and a safe, clean energy alternative in the future. Our region is truly an innovation leader.糖心传媒�
New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney: 糖心传媒淭he new supercomputer cluster, 糖心传媒楥onesus,糖心传媒� is a revolutionary addition to the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 Laboratory for Laser Energetics. This high-performance computing system provides a four-fold increase in simulating high-energy-density physics and inertial fusion experiments. LLE students and workers will be empowered to generate thousands of safe, clean, and cost-effective fusion experiments yearly, further enhancing and expanding computing power and opportunities for the Rochester region.糖心传媒�
New York State Assemblymember Sarah Clark: 糖心传媒淭he Laboratory for Laser Energetics糖心传媒� new high-performance computing cluster is a step forward for energy research. This new cluster, and its ranking for both performance and energy efficiency, will help keep Rochester as a destination for research and new business development.糖心传媒�
Hope Knight, President and CEO, ESD: 糖心传媒淭his powerful, state-of-the-art supercomputer will ensure that the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 Laboratory for Laser Energetics plays a leading role in next-generation discoveries. Governor Hochul糖心传媒檚 administration is committed to investing in cutting-edge R&D that strengthens New York as a global innovation powerhouse delivering laser-focused economic growth.糖心传媒�
Doreen Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA: 糖心传媒淣YSERDA is proud to have supported the critical work of the Laboratory for Laser Energetics which, in collaboration with federal partners, has led to this remarkable high-performance computing advancement today. I commend all those who have contributed to this achievement and look forward to the many innovative successes that are sure to come from this world-renowned facility.糖心传媒�
About the University糖心传媒檚 Laser Lab
LLE was established at the University in 1970 and is the largest US Department of Energy university-based research program in the nation supported by the National Nuclear Security Administration as an integral part of its Stockpile Stewardship Program. LLE has received support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and most recently, from Empire State Development.
As a center for the investigation of the interaction of intense radiation with matter, LLE is a unique national resource for research and education in science and technology. Current research includes exploring fusion as a future source of energy, developing new laser and materials technologies, and better understanding high-energy-density phenomena. In addition to its vital roles in various areas of scientific research and its support of the local high-tech economy, LLE plays an important role in educating the next generation of scientists and engineers.
The NNSA-funded National Laser Users糖心传媒� Facility (NLUF) is hosted at Omega, and scientists and students from across the nation and around the world carry out fundamental research, training, and education. Additional facility access for qualified external researchers is made possible through LLE糖心传媒檚 participation in DOE糖心传媒檚 LaserNetUS.
