Mira Gergácz, Ákos Keresztúri (2023.06.01 - 08.31)

Publication: Analysing high resolution digital Mars images using machine learning

Abstract: The search for ephemeral liquid water on Mars is an ongoing activity. After the recession of the seasonal polar ice cap on Mars, small water ice patches may be left behind in shady places due to the low thermal conductivity of the Martian surface and atmosphere. During late spring and early summer, these patches may be exposed to direct sunlight and warm up rapidly enough for the liquid phase to emerge. Previously a manual image analysis was conducted on 110 images from the southern hemisphere, captured by the HiRISE camera onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter space mission. Out of these, 37 images were identified with smaller ice patches, which were distinguishable by their brightness, colour and strong connection to local topographic shading.

In this study, a convolutional neural network (CNN) is applied to find further images with potential water ice patches in the latitude band between -40° and -60°. Previously analysed HiRISE images are used to train the model, expanding the training dataset to 6240 images. A test run conducted on 38 new HiRISE images indicates that the program can generally recognise small bright patches, however further training might be needed for more precise predictions.

Using a CNN model may make it realistic to analyse all available surface images, aiding us in selecting areas for further investigation.

Anna Horváth, Balázs Bámer, Gergely Gábor Barnaföldi and Dávid Légrády (2022.01.01 - 2022.07.30)

Wigner Research Centre for Physics

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Abstract: We investigate the optical trajectories in non-linear optical medium applying standard description. We apply modern machine learning techniques for the image reconstruction.

Mihály András Pocsai, Imre Ferenc Barna, Gábor Bíró, Gergely Gábor Barnaföldi (2021.10.01 - 2022.08.31)

Wigner Research Centre for Physics

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Abstract: In the concept of plasma based particle acceleration, the particles are accelerated in the wakefield generated by a driver pulse, which may be either a beam of charged particles or a short, intense laser pulse, instead of guiding,collimating and them in vacuum with strong electromagnetic fields [1]. The witness bunch is usually injected in the plasma from an external source, but in case of electron acceleration using a laser pulse as a driver pulse, at sufficiently high laser intensities, some of the plasma electrons are being trapped in the wakefield generated by the laser pulse. This phenomenon is referred as self-injection. In the schemes mentioned above, the driver bunches transfer their energy to the witness bunches through the plasma waves they generate. In the CERN–AWAKE experiment the wakefield is generated by a train of proton microbunches, produced from the SPS proton beam via the self-modulation instability [2]. In this experiment it is essential for the plasma to be ultrahomogeneous, furthemore, at prescribed points of the plasma, the plasma density has to follow the prescribed density ramps accurately. The plasma itself is produced by photoionising the rubidium vapour with a 120 fs long, intense, infra-red laser pulse. Therefore studying the corresponding photoionisation phenomena is a relevant sub-topic of the CERN–AWAKE experiment.

The processes in question have been already studied earlier via quantum mechanical simulations [3]. In our approach, we expanded the solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger-equaion (TDSE) on the basis of the eigenfunctions of the free Hamiltonian-operator of the Rubidium atom. The expansion coeffitiens are timedependent. Substituting this Ansatz into the TDSE, one obtains a first order, linear ODE system, referred as Coupled Channel Equations. Every channel, i. e. every time-dependent expansion coeffitient gives the occupation amplitude of the corresponding bound or continuum state of the rubidium atom. From the final state wave function, the total photoinisation probabilities, the photoelectron energy spectra, angular distributions and energy-and-angle resolved spectra can be obtained.

References:
[1] T. Tajima, J.M. Dawson: „Laser electron accelerator". Phys. Rev. Lett 43, 267–270 (1979).
[2] C. Petit-Jean-Genaz, G. Arduini, P. Michel, V. R. W. Schaa, (eds.), Proceedings, 5th International Particle Accelerator Conference (IPAC2014): Dresden, Germany, June 15–20, 2014, JACoW Conferences (CERN, Geneva, Switzerland, 2014).
[3] M.A. Pocsai, I.F. Barna and K. Tőkési: „Photoionisation of Rubidium in strong laser fields". Eur. Phys. J. D 73, 74 (2019).

Márk Margóczi, Dávid Légrády (2022.08.01 - 2022.12.31)

Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Abstract: Neutron transport calculations of dynamic Monte-Carlo method is emerging new area of research in the nuclear science. The dynamic Monte-Carlo calculation cannot only be used to foretell neutron kinetics, but to enable more complex dynamic simulations, it can also be coupled with thermal-hydraulic codes. The coupled calculation method raises questions of stability and convergence.

GUARDYAN (GPU Assisted Reactor Dynamic Analysis) is a dynamic Monte Carlobased neutron transport code. The GUARDYAN is able to calculate neutron kinetics, but for more complex reactor physics calculations thermal-hydraulic feedback becomes necessary. To achieve the desired calculations the GUARDIAN has been coupled with a SUBCHANFLOW sub-channel flow simulation code. The simplest tool for testing stability and convergence is the stochastic calculus, within the framework of which neutron kinetics can be approximated with a stochastic differential equation. If the variance contribution term of the equation is defined with Monte-Carlo assumptions, then the stochastic differential equation approximates the dynamic Monte-Carlo method simulation. If the problem is sufficiently simple, the neutron kinetics and thermal-hydraulic of the rector can be derived using analytical formulas. In order to calculate expected value, standard deviation and variance with adequate statistical uncertainty corresponding to the method, these equations must be compared with the solutions of practical problems which require numerous simulation.

Application of GPU cluster supports the publication of scientific journal articles, topic of which is the mapping of the relationship between stochastic differential equations and time-dependent Monte-Carlo-based neutron transport and the investigation of the spread of variance of stochastic neutron kinetics to variance of thermal-hydraulic.

Erzsébet Suhajda, Tamás Hegedűs (2022.08.01 - 2022.10.31)

Semmelweis University

Publication: Comprehensive Collection and Prediction of ABC Transmembrane Protein Structures in the AI Era of Structural Biology
Poster

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Abstract: Membrane proteins play crucial roles in cells’ life. They can bind substrates, transport ions, molecules or even drugs in and out of the cell. Their structural role is also important, as they can anchor cells to each other or to different surfaces.

In addition to their function, their structure is also unique. Membrane proteins span the cell membrane, part of their structure is located in the hydrophobic interior of the membrane, forming a transmembrane domain, and other parts are located inside the cell (intracellular) or outside the cell (extracellular). Thus, experimental determination of the structure of transmembrane proteins is a difficult task. For crystallization, membrane proteins must be removed from the membrane bilayer, therefore their native structure is often destroyed, making experimental procedures lengthy, expensive and uncertain.

Therefore, despite their vital role, only about 5% of experimentally resolved protein structures belong to membrane proteins, whereas about 50% of currently marketed drugs act through membrane proteins. Our aim is to investigate the structure and dynamics of transmembrane protein complexes with ATPase activity (e.g. ABC transporters responsible for multidrug resistance in tumor cells or calcium pumps) using both an artificial intelligence (deep learning) based structure determination method (AlphaFold) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Our results will make a contribution to the performance testing of these modelling methods on membrane proteins, to the better understanding of the structures of biologically relevant complexes, and therefore can serve as a basis for future drug developments.

Péter Rakyta, Zoltán Zimborás (2022.01.01 - 2022.06.31)

Eötvös University, Wigner Research Centre for Physics

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Abstract: In this work we propose a novel numerical approach to decompose general quantum programs in terms of single- and two-qubit quantum gates with a CNOT gate count very close to the current theoretical lower bounds. In particular, it turns out that 15 and 63 CNOT gates are sufficient to decompose a general 3 and 4-qubit unitary, respectively, with high numerical accuracy. Our approach is based on a sequential optimization of parameters related to the single-qubit rotation gates involved in a pre-designed quantum circuit used for the decomposition. In addition, the algorithm can be adopted to sparse inter-qubit connectivity architectures provided by current mid-scale quantum computers, needing only a few additional CNOT gates to be implemented in the resulting quantum circuits.

Publications:
[1] Péter Rakyta, Zoltán Zimborás: Approaching the theoretical limit in quantum gate decomposition, Quantum 6 (2022) 710
DOI: 10.22331/q-2022-05-11-710

Gábor Tolnai, Dávid Légrády (2022.08.01 - 2022.12.31)

Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Publication: Adjoint-based Path Length Stretching in a Woodcock Framework with SIR Angular Biasing

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Kivonat: The GUARDYAN (GPU Assisted Reactor Dynamic Analysis) code developed at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics Institute of Nuclear Techniques directly models the time-dependent phenomena occurring in nuclear reactors. In contrast to conventional reactor dynamics modelling methods, GUARDYAN applies little to no approximations at simulating the physical processes. Price to pay for ultimate accuracy is running time, a real second translates to 6-24h calculation time depending on the complexity of the reactor geometry.

This project aims at increasing the computation efficiency by applying variance reduction techniques. This is done by the importance (a.k.a. the adjoint) function used for biasing the interaction laws, for which calculation schemes are being developed in the form of nonanalog Woodcock tracking for free path sampling and scouting samples (sampling importance resampling - SIRS ) for the angular bias.

An accurately pre-calculated adjoint function is needed for the proper biasing, this is computed by GUARDYAN specifically for the problem at hand. Large computation effort is needed for producing the sufficiently detailed adjoint for a certain problem, but it can be used for the whole transient scenario. For demonstrating the usefulness of the new variance reduction scheme under development, several test cases of varying complexity should be analysed and the corresponding adjoint function generated demanding large GPU capacity.

Péter Rakyta, Zoltán Zimborás (2022.01.01 - 2022.06.31)

Eötvös University, Wigner Research Centre for Physics

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Abstract: In this work, we report on a novel quantum gate approximation algorithm based on the application of parametric two-qubit gates in the synthesis process. The utilization of these parametric two-qubit gates in the circuit design allows us to transform the discrete combinatorial problem of circuit synthesis into an optimization problem over continuous variables. The circuit is then compressed by a sequential removal of two-qubit gates from the design, while the remaining building blocks are continuously adapted to the reduced gate structure by iterated learning cycles. We implemented the developed algorithm in the SQUANDER software package and benchmarked it against several state-of-the-art quantum gate synthesis tools. Our numerical experiments revealed outstanding circuit compression capabilities of our compilation algorithm providing the most optimal gate count in the majority of the addressed quantum circuits.

Publications: Efficient quantum gate decomposition via adaptive circuit compression

Kővári Emese, Kovács Tamás, Forgács-Dajka Emese (2022.01.01 - 2022.03.30)

Eötvös Loránd University, Center for Astrophysics and Space Science

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Abstract: The trans-Neptunian space is of great interest of dynamical studies with an inexhaustible number of intriguing problems to be solved. Our aim is to carry out a large-scale survey of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) by means of dynamical maps. In the first part of the research, we concentrate on the dynamical role of mean-motion resonances (MMRs) among the TNOs, and the tools of understanding are dynamical maps of classical chaos indicators. In the second part, our focus becomes the quantification of the chaotic diffusion and that of the stability times of the small bodies. The chaotic diffusion is of fundamental importance for its rate will determine the long-term dynamics of a given celestial system. To estimate the rate of the diffusion (that is, to compute the diffusion coefficients) in the case of the 4125 TNOs selected in the first part of our study, we initiate the use of the Shannon entropy. This latter quantity allows, on the one hand, to measure the extent of unstable regions in the phase space (and thus serves as an indicator of chaos), and also enables the direct measurement of the diffusion coefficients. The characteristic times of stability - in the case of normal diffusion - are then achieved by taking the inverse of the diffusion coefficients. In the knowledge of the chaotic diffusion and stability times for as large a TNO sample as the one indicated above, the overall structure of the trans-Neptunian space might be mapped as well, along with the specification of dynamical classes or the update of the existing ones.

Eduárd Zsurka, Noel Plaszkó, Péter Rakyta, Andor Kormányos (2022.05.01 - 2022.11.31)

Eötvös Loránd University

Publication: Non-local Andreev reflection through Andreev molecular states in graphene Josephson junctions

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Abstract: We propose that a device composed of two vertically stacked monolayer graphene Josephson junctions can be used for Cooper pair splitting. The hybridization of the Andreev bound states of the two Josephson junction can facilitate non-local transport in this normal-superconductor hybrid structure, which we study by calculating the non-local differential conductance. Assuming that one of the graphene layers is electron and the other is hole doped, we find that the non-local Andreev reflection can dominate the differential conductance of the system. Our setup does not require the precise control of junction length, doping, or superconducting phase difference, which could be an important advantage for experimental realization.

Mira Anna Gergácz, Ákos Keresztúri (2022.08.31-12.31)

Publication: Melting possibility of remnant seasonal water ice patches on Mars

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Abstract: Due to the low thermal conductivity of the Martian surface and atmosphere, it is possible that after the recession of the seasonal polar icecap, small icy patches left behind in shady places might be met by direct sunlight during the summer. This work surveyed such frost patches using HiRISE images. Analyzing 110 images out of the available 1400 pieces that fit the selection criteria of location and season, and identified 37 images with smaller ice patches on them. These areas range between 140° and 200° solar longitude in the central latitude band between -40° and -60°. The diameter of the ice patches ranges between 1.5-300 meters, and remains on the surface even after the seasonal polar cap has passed over the area for the duration range of 19-133 martian days.

With the help of The Mars Climate Database (MCD) we simulated the surface temperature and predicted CO2 and H2O ice cover at 22 analyzed areas. Judging by the models, the average noon temperature does not reach the melting point of water, which is 273 K, therefore the occurrence of liquid water on the macroscopic scale is highly unlikely, however there is a possibility that an interfacial premelting of ice (a few nanometers thick waterlayer) might form between the layered and the water ice.

Sudár Ákos, Varga-Kőfaragó Mónika, Barnaföldi Gergely Gábor és Légrády Dávid (2021.07.01 - 2022.08.31)

Wigner Research Centre for Physics és BME Institute of Nuclear Techniques

Grant: NKFIH 2020-2.1.1-ED-2021-00179

Abstract: The goal of development of proton computed tomography is the accurate measurement of the relative stopping power (RSP) distribution of the patient, which is necessary to reduce safety zones around the tumor in proton therapy. During the pCT imaging the patient is imaged by protons, which has determined direction and energy before they go into the patient, and their direction and energy is measured after they come out of the patient. From this information the most likely path (MLP) and the energy deposition in the patient can be determined. The 3D image is reconstructed from the measured data with the use of order suppressed expectation maximalization (OSEM) algorithm, which is an accelerated version of maximum likelihood expectation maximalization (ML-EM) algorithm. The goal of the current project is to develop an image reconstruction code, which runs in parallel threads of CPU and use GPU as well to minimize the image reconstruction time. This software will be used in the future to reconstruct the measured data of a pCT detector developed by the Bergen pCT Collaboration. This work would be contribution to the work of the group and their later publications.

István Csabai, Ákos Gellért, Balázs Pál (2022.01.01 - 2022.03.30)

ELTE Department of Physics of Complex Systems

Publication: SARS-CoV-2 RBD deep mutational AlphaFold2 structures carry phenotypic information

Abstract: The COVID-19 epidemic created an extraordinary situation for the whole humanity, claiming millions of lives and causing a significant economic setback. At the same time, the international research community has rapidly generated an order of magnitude larger data set than ever before, which can contribute to understanding the evolution and dynamics of the epidemic, to its containment and to the prevention of similar pandemics. The GISAID and COVID-19 Data Portal databases contain millions of complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes. The genetic sequences can be obtained relatively easily and quickly thanks to modern genome sequencers, but it is very difficult to tell how rapidly a given variant will spread or how serious disease will it cause, solely based on the genetic sequences and the mutations. The genetic information is transcribed into proteins, and the spatial structure, charge distribution and interaction of the proteins with the host proteins determine the function of the virus, the so called phenotype. In summary, the genotype-phenotype problem is the estimation of the behaviour of a virus based on genetic information.

In the last year, the rapidly developing artificial intelligence approach has achieved a milestone that can significantly help genotype-phenotype research. Using the Alphafold2 method, the spatial structure of large proteins can be determined with sufficient accuracy in a reasonable time. The machine learning-based Alphafold2 method requires significant computational, mainly GPU, capacity.

We are collaborating with EMBL-EBI on the development of a SARS-CoV-2 genetic archive in the framework of a H2020 project. We aim to complement this with 3D structures of proteins of as many variants as possible and to use these structures to advance the genotype-phenotype question.

Andor Menczer (ELTE), Áron Vízkeleti (Wigner RCP), Mihály Máté (Wigner RCP) and Örs Legeza (Wigner RCP) - (2022.09.01 - 2022.11.30)

Abstract: Numerical simulation of quantum systems where strong interaction between atomic spins and itinerant electrons is present, and at the same time cannot be described with perturbative methods are in the focus of modern physics. These simulations are challenging because computational resources, in general, scale exponentially with system size. Developing algorithms to simulate these systems with polynomial complexity is one of the most heavily researched subjects today.

The density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm is one such method, with the additional advantage that the underlying tensor algebra, in light of the conserved quantum numbers, can be broken up into millions of independent tasks. This makes this algorithm ideal for MPI and GPU based massive parallelization. Our research group have been researching the subject for two decades. A GPU based kernel application have been implemented recently thanks to Andor Menczer (ELTE graduate student). In this project we would like to test, and based on the results, optimize this application. At the same time, we would also like to apply it to two-dimensional electron systems, strongly correlated molecular clusters, and atomic nuclei.

The project involves Andor Menczer (ELTE), Áron Vízkeleti (WignerFK), Mihály Máté (WignerFK) and Örs Legeza (WignerFK). The source code was written in Matlab, and a standalone version was compiled using Matlab Compiler. We wish to carry out the testing, fine-tuning and application to large systems in steps. The GPU kernel was built using the Matlab Paralelization Toolbox, and CODA Coder. For the first step, we would like to ask for a three months long interval of access to one of the nodes (cluster 1, 2, 3, 4) that access NVIDIA graphics cards.

We plan to publish the simulation results in prestigious international journals, like the ones our previous work appeared in [1,2]

[1] The density matrix renormalization group algorithm on kilo-processor architectures: implementation and trade-offs, Csaba Nemes, Gergely Barcza, Zoltán Nagy, Örs Legeza, Péter Szolgay, Computer Physics Communications Volume 185, Issue 6, June 2014, Pages 1570-1581

[2] Massively parallel quantum chemical density matrix renormalization group method, Jiří Brabec, Jan Brandejs, Karol Kowalski, Sotiris Xantheas, Örs Legeza, Libor Veis, Computational Chemistry, https://doi.org/10.1002/jcc.26476

István Papp, Larissa Bravina, Mária Csete, Igor N. Mishustin, Dénes Molnár, Anton Motornenko, Leonid M. Satarov, Horst Stöcker, Daniel D. Strottman, András Szenes, Dávid Vass, Tamás S. Biró, László P. Csernai, Norbert Kroó (2022.01.01 - 2022.06.30)

Publication: Laser Wake Field Collider

Abstract: Inertial Confinement Fusion is a promising option to provide massive, clean, and affordable energy for humanity in the future. The present status of research and development is hindered by hydrodynamic instabilities occurring at the intense compression of the target fuel by energetic laser beams. NAno-Plasmonic, Laser Inertial Fusion Experiments (NAPLIFE) were proposed, as an improved way to achieve laser driven fusion. The improvement is the combination of two basic research discoveries:
(i) The possibility of detonations on space-time hyper-surfaces with time-like normal (i.e. simultaneous detonation in a whole volume)[1] and
(ii) to increase this volume to the whole target, by regulating the laser light absorption using nano-shells or nano-rods as antennas [2].
These principles can be realized in an in-line, one dimensional configuration, in the simplest way with two opposing laser beams as in particle colliders [3]. Such, opposing laser beam experiments were also performed recently. Here we study the consequences of the Laser Wake Field Acceleration (LWFA) if we experience it in a colliding laser beam set up. These studies can be applied to laser driven fusion, but also to other rapid phase transition, combustion, or ignition studies in other materials.

References:
[1] L. P. Csernai and D. D. Strottman, “Volume ignition via time-like detonation in pellet fusion,” Laser Part. Beams. 33 (2), 279--282 (2015).
[2] L. P. Csernai, N. Kroo, and I. Papp, “Radiation dominated implosion with nano--plasmonics,” Laser Part. Beams. 36 (2), 171--178 (2018).
[3] L.P Csernai, M. Csete, I.N. Mishustin, A. Motornenko, I. Papp, L.M. Starov, H. Stöcker, N. Kroó, "Radiation dominated implosion with flat target", Physics of Wave Phenomena, 2020, accepted for publication.

Ernő Dávid, Dávid El-Saig, Zoltán Lehóczky and Gergely Gábor Barnaföldi (2021.12.01 - 2022.08.31)

Wigner RCP and Lombiq Technologies Ltd. cooperation

Abstract: Hastlayer by Lombiq Technologies allows software developers of the .NET platform to utilize FPGAs as compute accelerators. It converts standard .NET constructs into equivalent hardware implementations, automatically enhancing the performance while lowering the power consumption of suitable algorithms. Developers keep writing .NET programs as usual, no hardware design knowledge is required.

Hastlayer needs dedicated firmware and software components for each supported hardware platforms. In collaboration with Wigner RC there are already several supported platforms (like Microsoft Catapult cards and the Xilinx Alveo FPGA card family). The aim of the next development phase is to enable Hastlayer support for embedded platforms like FPGA cards based on the Xilinx Zynq family members.

Wigner's task is to develop the necessary firmware framework to run the Hastlayer-generated hardware cores and if there is a need then customize the Linux operating system running on the embedded ARM CPU cores.

Marcell Stippinger, András Telcs (2022.01.01 - 2022.03.30)

Wigner Research Centre for Physics

Abstract: The aim of the project is to develop a framework in which causal connection between time series can be explored. The core concept of the project is the investigation of Markov properties of different conditioned time series. The core of the method is the collection of result of large amount of conditional independence tests. The results then lead to a simple conclusion via a simple decision tree.

Balázs Kacskovics (2016.09.01 - 21.05.31)

Supervisor: Mátyás Vasúth

Wigner Research Centre for Physics

Publication:The orbital evolution and gravitational waves of OJ 287 in the 4th post-Newtonian order

Abstract: Although gravitational waves have been detected in 2016 with GW150914, but there are still many exotic cases to discover, e.g. binaries with Zoom-Whirl orbits, Super Massive Black Holes, etc. To examine such cases the Wigner RCP Gravitational group developed a software called CBwaves , that we would like to upgrade with the fourth terms of the post-Newtonian formalism and with its Hamiltonian formalism. Also we would like to enchance the runime of our code using parallelism.