PENTrack---a simulation tool for ultracold neutrons, protons, and electrons in complex electromagnetic fields and geometries

Abstract

Modern precision experiments trapping low-energy particles require detailed simulations of particle trajectories and spin precession to determine systematic measurement limitations and apparatus deficiencies. We developed PENTrack, a tool that allows to simulate trajectories of ultracold neutrons and their decay products---protons and electrons---and the precession of their spins in complex geometries and electromagnetic fields. The interaction of ultracold neutrons with matter is implemented with the Fermi-potential formalism and diffuse scattering using Lambert and microroughness models. The results of several benchmark simulations agree with STARucn v1.2, uncovered several flaws in Geant4 v10.2.2, and agree with experimental data. Experiment geometry and electromagnetic fields can be imported from commercial computer-aided-design and finite-element software. All simulation parameters are defined in simple text files allowing quick changes. The simulation code is written in C++ and is freely available at github.com/wschreyer/PENTrack.git.

References in corpus (5)

• Electroweak baryogenesis
• Improved Determination of the Neutron Lifetime
• Odeint - Solving ordinary differential equations in C++
• Storage of ultracold neutrons in the UCN$\tau$ magneto-gravitational trap
• Neutron lifetime measurements and effective spectral cleaning with an ultracold neutron trap using a vertical Halbach octupole permanent magnet array

Cited by in corpus (7)

• First ultracold neutrons produced at TRIUMF
• The MCUCN simulation code for ultracold neutron physics
• Characterization of electroless nickel-phosphorus plating for ultracold-neutron storage
• Estimated performance of the TRIUMF ultracold neutron source and electric dipole moment apparatus
• Monte Carlo simulations for the optimization and data analysis of experiments with ultracold neutrons
• Ultracold Neutron Storage Simulation Using the Kassiopeia Software Package
• Ultra-cold neutron simulation framework for the free neutron lifetime experiment $\tau$SPECT