Mapping Proton Quark Structure using Petabytes of COMPASS Data

宇宙中99%以上的可见物质是核物质。质子和中子是原子核的基本组成部分。太阳核心的核聚变过程是维持地球上生命的巨大能量流的来源。核裂变提供了美国约20%的电力消耗，并推动了许多海军舰艇。核力的知识和为原子核及其组成部分开发的仪器有重要的应用，如x射线和磁共振成像（MRI），癌症治疗的放射疗法，材料科学，x射线光刻，以及推进和发电。这个项目将利用蓝水来了解自然界中控制核物质基本结构的强大力量。具体来说，该项目将使用Blue Waters来分析欧洲核子研究中心COMPASS实验的数据。欧洲核子研究中心的COMPASS实验使用高能粒子束来探索质子的夸克子结构。这个实验组成了一个强大的显微镜，可以看到质子的深处。对质子内部夸克的动力学和排列的精确测量将为提高对强核力的定量理解提供所需的实验输入。COMPASS产生了大量的实验和蒙特卡罗模拟数据。凭借其庞大的数据存储能力和千万亿级的处理能力，Blue Waters将把COMPASS的数据转化为质子内部夸克位置和运动的独特图像，从而完善描述强核力的量子色动力学理论。

More than 99% of the mass of visible matter in the universe is nuclear matter. Protons and neutrons are the building blocks of atomic nuclei. Nuclear fusion processes at the core of our sun are the source of the vast energy flow that sustains life on earth. Fission of nuclei provides about 20% of the electricity consumed in the United States and propels many naval vessels. The knowledge of nuclear forces and instrumentation developed for the atomic nuclei and its constituents have important applications, such as x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiation therapies for cancer treatment, materials science, x-ray lithography, as well as propulsion and power generation.This project will use Blue Waters to understand the strong force governing the fundamental structure of nuclear matter in nature. Specifically, the project will use Blue Waters to analyze data from the COMPASS experiment at CERN. The COMPASS experiment at CERN uses high-energy particle beams to explore the quark substructure of the proton. The experiment constitutes a powerful microscope that can look deep inside the proton. A precise measurement of the dynamics and arrangement of quarks inside the proton will provide experimental input needed to improve the quantitative understanding of the strong nuclear force. COMPASS produces enormous amounts of experimental and Monte-Carlo simulation data. With its massive data storage capabilities and petascale processing capabilities, Blue Waters will turn the COMPASS data into unique images of quark position and motion inside the proton and will thus refine the theory, Quantum Chromo Dynamics, describing the strong nuclear force.