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Stochastic (probabilistic) Processes

Example: Flux of neutrons in a nuclear reactor

Reactor is simulated by tracking a neutron with random initial conditions (position, momentum) through the system. There are different probabilities for absorbtion, scattering, triggering nuclear reactions to produce more neutrons, etc., for the different materials in the reactor. A statistical ensemble of such neutrons gives the required flux.



Paul Coddington, Northeast Parallel Architectures Center at Syracuse University, paulc@npac.syr.edu