DiRAC 2.5y - Networks and Data Management
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Physicists across the astronomy, nuclear and particle physics communities are focussed
on understanding how the Universe works at a very fundamental level. The distance scales
with which they work vary by 50 orders of magnitude from the smallest distances probed
by experiments at the Large Hadron Collider, deep within the atomic
nucleus, to the largest scale galaxy clusters discovered out in space. The Science challenges,
however, are linked through questions such as: How did the Universe begin and how is it evolving?
and What are the fundamental constituents and fabric of the Universe and how do they interact?
Progress requires new astronomical observations and experimental data but also
new theoretical insights. Theoretical understanding comes increasingly from large-scale
computations that allow us to confront the consequences of our theories very accurately
with the data or allow us to interrogate the data in detail to extract information that has
impact on our theories. These computations test the fastest computers that we have and
push the boundaries of technology in this sector. They also provide an excellent
environment for training students in state-of-the-art techniques for code optimisation and
data mining and visualisation.
The DiRAC2 HPC facility has been operating since 2012, providing computing resources for theoretical research
in all areas of particle physics, astronomy, cosmology and nuclear physics supported by STFC. It is a highly productive facility, generating 200-250 papers annually in international, peer-reviewed journals. However, the DiRAC facility risks becoming uncompetitive as it has remained static in terms of overall capability since 2012. The DiRAC-2.5x investment in 2017/18 mitigated the risk of hardware failures, by replacing our oldest hardware components. However, as the factor 5 oversubscription of the most recent RAC call demonstrated, the science programme in 2019/20 and beyond requires a significant uplift in DiRAC's compute capability. The main purpose of the requested funding for the DiRAC2.5y project is to provide a factor 2 increase in computing across all DiRAC services to enable the facility to remain competitive during 2019/20 in anticipation of future funding for DiRAC-3.
DiRAC2.5y builds on the success of the DiRAC HPC facility and will provide the resources needed to support cutting-edge research during 2019 in all areas of science supported by STFC. While the funding is required to remain competitive, the science programme will continue to be world-leading. Examples of the projects which will benefit from this investment include:
(i) lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculations of the properties of fundamental particles from first principles;
(ii) improving the potential of experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider for discovery of new physics by increasing the accuracy of theoretical predictions for rare processes involving the fundamental constituents of matter known as quarks;
(iii) simulations of the merger of pairs of black holes amnwhich generate gravitational waves such as those recently discovered by the LIGO consortium;
(iv) the most realistic simulations to date of the formation and evolution of galaxies in the Universe;
(v) the accretion of gas onto supermassive black holes, the most efficient means of extracting energy from matter and the engine which drives galaxy evolution;
(vi) new models of our own Milky Way galaxy calibrated using new data from the European Space Agency's GAIA satellite;
(vii) detailed simulations of the interior of the sun and of planetary interiors;
(viii) the formation of stars in clusters - for the first time it will be possible to follow the formation of massive stars.
on understanding how the Universe works at a very fundamental level. The distance scales
with which they work vary by 50 orders of magnitude from the smallest distances probed
by experiments at the Large Hadron Collider, deep within the atomic
nucleus, to the largest scale galaxy clusters discovered out in space. The Science challenges,
however, are linked through questions such as: How did the Universe begin and how is it evolving?
and What are the fundamental constituents and fabric of the Universe and how do they interact?
Progress requires new astronomical observations and experimental data but also
new theoretical insights. Theoretical understanding comes increasingly from large-scale
computations that allow us to confront the consequences of our theories very accurately
with the data or allow us to interrogate the data in detail to extract information that has
impact on our theories. These computations test the fastest computers that we have and
push the boundaries of technology in this sector. They also provide an excellent
environment for training students in state-of-the-art techniques for code optimisation and
data mining and visualisation.
The DiRAC2 HPC facility has been operating since 2012, providing computing resources for theoretical research
in all areas of particle physics, astronomy, cosmology and nuclear physics supported by STFC. It is a highly productive facility, generating 200-250 papers annually in international, peer-reviewed journals. However, the DiRAC facility risks becoming uncompetitive as it has remained static in terms of overall capability since 2012. The DiRAC-2.5x investment in 2017/18 mitigated the risk of hardware failures, by replacing our oldest hardware components. However, as the factor 5 oversubscription of the most recent RAC call demonstrated, the science programme in 2019/20 and beyond requires a significant uplift in DiRAC's compute capability. The main purpose of the requested funding for the DiRAC2.5y project is to provide a factor 2 increase in computing across all DiRAC services to enable the facility to remain competitive during 2019/20 in anticipation of future funding for DiRAC-3.
DiRAC2.5y builds on the success of the DiRAC HPC facility and will provide the resources needed to support cutting-edge research during 2019 in all areas of science supported by STFC. While the funding is required to remain competitive, the science programme will continue to be world-leading. Examples of the projects which will benefit from this investment include:
(i) lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculations of the properties of fundamental particles from first principles;
(ii) improving the potential of experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider for discovery of new physics by increasing the accuracy of theoretical predictions for rare processes involving the fundamental constituents of matter known as quarks;
(iii) simulations of the merger of pairs of black holes amnwhich generate gravitational waves such as those recently discovered by the LIGO consortium;
(iv) the most realistic simulations to date of the formation and evolution of galaxies in the Universe;
(v) the accretion of gas onto supermassive black holes, the most efficient means of extracting energy from matter and the engine which drives galaxy evolution;
(vi) new models of our own Milky Way galaxy calibrated using new data from the European Space Agency's GAIA satellite;
(vii) detailed simulations of the interior of the sun and of planetary interiors;
(viii) the formation of stars in clusters - for the first time it will be possible to follow the formation of massive stars.
Planned Impact
The anticipated impact of the DiRAC2.5y HPC facility aligns closely with the recently published UK Industrial Strategy. As such, many of our key impacts will be driven by our engagements with industry. Each service provider for DiRAC2.5y has a local industrial strategy to deliver increased levels of industrial returns over the next three years.
The "Pathways to impact" document which is attached to this proposal describes the overall industrial strategy for the DiRAC facility, including our strategic goals and key performance indicators.
The "Pathways to impact" document which is attached to this proposal describes the overall industrial strategy for the DiRAC facility, including our strategic goals and key performance indicators.
Organisations
Publications
Saavedra-Bastidas J
(2024)
Gravitational collapse at low to moderate Mach numbers: The relationship between star formation efficiency and the fraction of mass in the massive object
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Dethero M
(2024)
The shape of convection in 2D and 3D global simulations of stellar interiors
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Sanati M
(2024)
Dwarf galaxies as a probe of a primordially magnetized Universe
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Dutta R
(2024)
Metal line emission around z < 1 galaxies
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mercier W
(2024)
The COSMOS-Web ring: In-depth characterization of an Einstein ring lensing system at z ~ 2
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Galbiati M
(2024)
MUSE Analysis of Gas around Galaxies (MAGG) VI. The cool and enriched gas environment of z ? 3 Ly a emitters
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Sellek A
(2024)
Photoevaporation of protoplanetary discs with PLUTO+PRIZMO I. Lower X-ray-driven mass-loss rates due to enhanced cooling
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Welsh L
(2024)
A survey of extremely metal-poor gas at cosmic noon Evidence of elevated [O/Fe]
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Nowak M
(2024)
The orbit of HD 142527 B is too compact to explain many of the disc features
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Scholtz J
(2024)
GN-z11: The environment of an active galactic nucleus at z = 10.603 New insights into the most distant Ly a detection
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Prole L
(2024)
Heavy black hole seed formation in high- z atomic cooling halos
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Contreras S
(2024)
Validating the clustering predictions of empirical models with the FLAMINGO simulations
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Sifón C
(2024)
The history and mass content of cluster galaxies in the EAGLE simulation
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Maccagni F
(2024)
MHONGOOSE discovery of a gas-rich low surface brightness galaxy in the Dorado group
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Hoy C
(2024)
A rapid multi-modal parameter estimation technique for LISA
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Barone T
(2024)
Gravitational lensing reveals cool gas within 10-20 kpc around a quiescent galaxy
in Communications Physics
Abhishek
(2024)
The TDHF code Sky3D version 1.2
in Computer Physics Communications
Rizzuti F
(2024)
Stellar Evolution and Convection in 3D Hydrodynamic Simulations of a Complete Burning Phase
in Galaxies
Tsang Y
(2024)
Scaling of the geomagnetic secular variation timescale
in Geophysical Journal International
Worthy J
(2024)
Evaluation of the bilinear condensate of the planar Thirring model in the strongly coupled region
in International Journal of Modern Physics C
Brady RP
(2024)
Numerical Equivalence of Diabatic and Adiabatic Representations in Diatomic Molecules.
in Journal of chemical theory and computation
Arvizu A
(2024)
Modeling the 3-point correlation function of projected scalar fields on the sphere
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Balan S
(2025)
Resonant or asymmetric: the status of sub-GeV dark matter
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Aramburo-Garcia A
(2024)
Dark photon constraints from CMB temperature anisotropies
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Elley M
(2025)
Robustness of inflation to kinetic inhomogeneities
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Chadha-Day F
(2024)
ALP anarchy
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Teed R
(2023)
Solenoidal force balances in numerical dynamos
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Hughes D
(2024)
Mean field responses in disordered systems: an example from nonlinear MHD
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Banfi A
(2024)
A POWHEG generator for deep inelastic scattering
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Gayer L
(2025)
Highly excited B, Bs and Bc meson spectroscopy from lattice QCD
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Yeo J
(2024)
DK/Dp scattering and an exotic virtual bound state at the SU(3) flavour symmetric point from lattice QCD
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Delaney J
(2024)
Radiative transitions in charmonium from lattice QCD
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Banfi A
(2024)
Higgs interference effects in top-quark pair production in the 1HSM
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Bartlett-Tisdall S
(2024)
Bootstrapping boundary QED. Part I
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Saló L
(2024)
GRFolres: A code for modified gravity simulations in strong gravity
in Journal of Open Source Software
Aurrekoetxea J
(2024)
GRDzhadzha: A code for evolving relativistic matter on analytic metric backgrounds
in Journal of Open Source Software
Ceuster F
(2022)
3D Line Radiative Transfer & Synthetic Observations with Magritte
in Journal of Open Source Software
Mayes R
(2024)
The contribution of supermassive black holes in stripped nuclei to the supermassive black hole population of UCDs and galaxy clusters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rowther S
(2024)
Short-lived gravitational instability in isolated irradiated discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Santos-Santos I
(2024)
Anisotropies in the spatial distribution and kinematics of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group and beyond
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pallero D
(2024)
Galaxy evolution in modified gravity simulations: using galaxy properties to constrain our gravitational model
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Durán-Camacho E
(2024)
Self-consistent modelling of the Milky Way structure using live potentials
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Upadhye A
(2024)
Non-linear CMB lensing with neutrinos and baryons: FLAMINGO simulations versus fast approximations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nasir F
(2024)
Deep learning the intergalactic medium using Lyman-alpha forest at 4 = z = 5
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Liu Y
(2024)
The mass accretion history of dark matter haloes down to Earth mass
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Armijo J
(2024)
A new test of gravity - I. Introduction to the method
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Talbot R
(2024)
Simulations of spin-driven AGN jets in gas-rich galaxy mergers
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Feron J
(2024)
The Lyman-limit photon mean free path at the end of late reionization in the Sherwood-Relics simulations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Vijayan A
(2024)
First Light And Reionisation Epoch Simulations (FLARES) - XII: The consequences of star-dust geometry on galaxies in the EoR
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
| Title | Collaboration with Atempo |
| Description | Tape to Tape data transfter between DiRAC sites. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | Proof of COncept that data could be read from Tape stores remotely via a remote file system |
| Title | Fast Network Links for Durham and Cambridge Univeristies |
| Description | The Universeities and Cambridge are now linked by a highly performant Network |
| Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Impact | Both HEIs are able to ingest data at a faster rate |
| Description | Member of UKRI E-Infrastructure Expert Panel 2017-2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Created 7 white papers for UKRI which detailed a Roadmap for future e-Infrastructure funding in the UK |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |