MCPL: a new format that simplifies data interchange between applications

Jan 20, 2017
A team who is part of the SINE2020 e-tools WP launched the first version of MCPL - Monte Carlo Particle Lists. This new, open source format makes it simpler to interchange particle-state information data between popular Monte Carlo simulation packages, making the work of developers more efficient.

Scientists occasionally encounter situations in which it would be beneficial to be able to capture a certain subset of particle states present in a given simulation, in order to continue their simulation at a later point. Implementing such capabilities often involves tedious writing of customised code to fit a specific situation. To address this issue, a team part of the SINE2020 e-tools work-package as well as the BrightnESS project has developed the Monte Carlo Particle Lists (MCPL) format.

MCPL is already in use at ESS, where it was used to optimise the detectors for the LoKI instrument. As the detector development progresses in parallel with the general instrument design, it is crucial to be able to optimise the detector setup for the exact instrument conditions under investigation in McStas. The neutrons emerging from the sample in McStas are transferred via MCPL to the detector simulation in Geant4, where a detailed detector geometry and appropriate materials are implemented.

Read the entire article on the SINE2020 website.