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A New Code Simulates the Cosmos |
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of each html article. A new Livermore astrophysics code called COSMOS can model almost anything from a small black hole to the entire universe. It is unusual in being easily adaptable to either relativistic or Newtonian astrophysical phenomena. COSMOS incorporates several ways to simulate hydrodynamic as well as radiative cooling, chemistry, self-gravity, relativistic scalar fields, and several other physics packages to accurately address a wide range of problems. COSMOS has already been applied to an ambitious array of astrophysical problems: a phase transition during the early moments of the young universe, accretion of matter by black holes, star formation caused by the interaction of gas clouds and jets emanating from massive black holes, and the evolution of dwarf spheroidal galaxies. In the near future, several new features will be added to the code, including adaptive grid technology to allow varying degrees of spatial resolution. A Livermore team is developing a radically new technology to solve the difficulties inherent in building and fielding a high-quality space telescope far larger than ever deployed. The concept, called Eyeglass, uses diffractive optics (also called Fresnel lenses) instead of mirrors or conventional glass lenses. Because it is lightweight, flexible, and able to be segmented and folded, an Eyeglass diffractive telescope could be neatly packaged in a space launch vehicle. It would also be easy to field in space because as a thin, flat membrane, it would not need large, heavy backings, trusses, or motors to maintain its shape, as do telescopes using mirrors. The team has been building increasingly advanced diffractive lenses with materials that are considered suitable for space missions. The largest lens measures 5 meters in diameter and is composed of 72 folding panels of thin glass. The lens is the largest optical quality lens in the world. It is twice as big as, yet 10 times lighter than, the primary mirror for the Hubble Space Telescope. Researchers are taking a first step toward a comprehensive, three-dimensional model of a living cell by simulating calcium ions moving within and between epithelial cells.
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Book | Comments Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory UCRL-52000-03-3 | March 21, 2003 |
