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Neural Operator Surrogates for Two-Dimensional Neutron Flux Estimation

Summary

This work extends one-dimensional single-sweep neural-operator studies to two dimensions, using Fourier neural operators (FNOs) and U-shaped neural operators (UNOs) to approximate high-fidelity scalar flux. Three surrogates are investigated: direct mapping with FNO, direct mapping with UNO, and an FNO that takes the single-sweep approximation as an additional input. Training over three random seeds assesses variability. The study explores whether single-sweep input and log-flux training improve accuracy.

SourcearXiv Machine LearningAuthor: Japan K. Patel, Barry D. Ganapol, Anthony Magliari, Matthew C. Schmidt, Todd A. Wareing
Neural Operator Surrogates for Two-Dimensional Neutron Flux Estimation
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[Submitted on 2 Jul 2026]

Title:Neural Operator Surrogates for Two-Dimensional Neutron Flux Estimation

View a PDF of the paper titled Neural Operator Surrogates for Two-Dimensional Neutron Flux Estimation, by Japan K. Patel and 4 other authors

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Abstract:This work extends our one-dimensional single-sweep neural-operator studies to two dimensions. We consider one-group transport with isotropic scattering. As in the one-dimensional work, we use Fourier neural operators (FNOs) to approximate the high-fidelity scalar flux. Additionally, we also investigate U-shaped neural operators (UNOs) in this study. We consider three surrogates. The first two map the material and source fields directly to the flux, one using an FNO and one using a UNO. The third is an FNO that additionally takes the scalar flux after one source iteration, the single-sweep approximation, as an input. Each case is solved to high fidelity with a verified discrete-ordinates solver, and an average relative L_2 error norm is used to characterize the quality of the inferred maps. We train every surrogate over three random seeds so that differences between them can be assessed against run-to-run variability. Two questions guide the study: whether the single-sweep input improves accuracy over the direct maps, and whether training on the logarithm of the flux improves accuracy in the strongly attenuated regions relevant to shielding.

Comments: to be submitted to ANS Winter 2026

Subjects:

Machine Learning (cs.LG)

Cite as: arXiv:2607.19388 [cs.LG]

(or arXiv:2607.19388v1 [cs.LG] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2607.19388

arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)

Submission history

From: Japan Patel [view email] [v1] Thu, 2 Jul 2026 04:25:53 UTC (369 KB)

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Key points and analysis

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Key points

  • Extension of 1D neural operator methods to 2D neutron flux estimation
  • Comparison of FNO and UNO direct mapping surrogates
  • FNO surrogate incorporating single-sweep approximation as input
  • Investigation of single-sweep input and log-flux training on accuracy

Highlights and analysis are generated automatically and may contain errors. Check the original source.