A super computer discrete ordinates method without observable ray effects or numerical diffusion

Abstract

A new discrete ordinates method designed for use on modern, large memory, vector and/or parallel processing super computers has been developed. The method is similar to conventional SN techniques in that the medium is divided into spatial mesh cells and that discrete directions are used. However, in place of an approximate differencing scheme, a nearly exact matrix representation of the streaming operator is determined. Although extremely large, this matrix can be stored on today's computers for repeated use in the source iteration. Since the source iteration is cast in matrix form it benefits enormously from vector and/or parallel processing, if available. Several test results are presented demonstrating the reduction in numerical diffusion and elimination of ray effects.