P7.10 Automated Programming and Neutrino (Astro)Physics

Michele Maris ( Trieste Astronomical Observatory - Via G.B.Tiepolo 11, I-34131 - Trieste - Italy )

Reference URL: http://pv.infn.it/~maris/nue/coala.htm

After the recent Super Kamiokande announcement of a convincing detection of neutrino mass, the demand for exaustive and accurate numerical simulations of neutrino oscillations in (astro)physical environments has grown. Results from simulations are used to obtain predictions from various phenomenological models of neutrino oscillations, to compare them with the existing experiments and to plan new ones. Numerical simulations are strongly used since the neutrino oscillations phenomenology and the complex experimental setups does not allow the use of purelly analitical models when the numerical accuracy have to be compatible with the experimental one. Two of the most computationally intensive tasks are the determination of neutrino oscillations parameters and the prediction of results of new experiments. Both these tasks requires an ``explorative'' scan of the full parameters space composed by: the source model (Sun, accelerator beam or cosmic rays), neutrino parameters (as the neutrino mixing angle in vacuum $\theta_v$ and the difference of square masses $\Delta m^2$), the oscillation mechanism (MSW, Vacuum Oscillations, $\dots$), and the neutrino experimental setup. The COALA project is devoted to create and manage a large data base of simulation results for the analysis of solar neutrino data, under the assumption that solar neutrinos undergoes matter enhanced oscillations or vacuum oscillations in their way to the Earth. The project is presented here as a model of application of automated programming, both for simulations management, results analysis and visualizzation in a theoretical field where exploratory simulations are essential. In addition, the computational methods, the software structure, the software testing procedures, the simulations and data base organizzation are illustrated in this communication together with a review of the main results. At last, since the full project was migrated from one ALPHA-VAX workstation to a PentiumII PC whithout any serious efficiency loss, this project may be regarded as a practical example of an intensive numerical research in a scientific relevant field where the need of expensive workstations is no longer needed.