1. Virtual Reality and ALICE By Bjørn S. Nilsen The Ohio State University On behalf of Dennis Sessanna, Ohio Supercomputing Center

2. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Over View Analysis Research and Development Simulation Engineering Education

3. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Analysis Large Data Sets Multi-Dimensional –At least 6 fundamental variables + uncertainties –Hundreds of derived variables –Large number of selection criteria Large number of different Analysis –More than 40 particle types + combinations –More than 6 general analysis techniques Grid Computing No real advantage to use VR based system for seen

4. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Research & Development Emphasis on performance –Mechanical, electrical, thermal, radiation –Suitability to do its specific physics task Quality control Determining production problems Simpler Engineering and Analysis A much smaller/limited version of the experiment Not much use for VR system

5. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Simulation Physics Help to determine possible physics goals Set and verify design requirements for meet physics goals Develop basic analysis procedures Measure and correct for inefficiencies –In the detector itself –In the analysis Similar to Analysis – Not a VR candidate Has many similarities to VR computing

6. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Physics Simulations Particle Transport Full volumetric representation of detector Precision in geometry definitions Fast navigation through volumes Ray-tracing to & through volumes even for curved rays Full volumetric representation of detector Precision in geometry definitions Fast navigation through volumes Ray-tracing to & through volumes

7. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity

8. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Engineering Design –All of the pieces must fit together –The detector needs to be assembled Analysis (Simulation) –Structural analysis (static and dynamic) Strains and stresses must be within tolerances Deformation must be within physics requirements –Thermal and Electrical Heat generated must be removed Temperatures must be within limits set by detectors… Electrical system either need to be grounded or floating

9. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Engineering Design Assembly The ability to view both the whole and parts of the detector, manipulate, and view from many different positions (even through other objects) is invaluable Parts are being designed at many dozens of places around the world each using their preferred design system (CAD…) The ability to move pieces around to see how to assemble each piece into the whole For example, in the ITS we have build at least 2 full size mock ups of this sub-detector just to figure out where to run the cables & cooling lines, and how to install the ITS in the larger ALICE detector VR will simplify and speed up such work

10. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Engineering Analysis (Simulation) In engineering simulation, one is always needing to relate stresses, temperatures, deformations, to the physical objects them selves and their neighbors.

11. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Education Our first use of a full VR system has been for public education about the ALICE detector. –The quality of the data does not need to be the best –Minimal software modifications required

12. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity VR System Used VRML files taken from existing CAD files –OpenScenegraph –3dsMax / OSGExp Good Quality PC with fast disk –Dell Computer, Dual 2.3 GHz Xeon, 1GB Ram nVIDIA Quadro 3000 Graphics Card Nvis Stereo Head Mount Display- 1280X1024/eye Intersense IS-900 Tracking System –3x3 m2 tracking area –Wireless wand and head tracker

13. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity

14. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Other VR system in development/use Epidural Simulator Tractor Rollover Simulation –Fastrack tracking system –Virtual-IO force feedback steering wheel –John Deere – 8400 tractor seat –Virtual Technologies – 18 sensor gloves –Biopac monitoring equipment Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery –Immersion Corporation Microscribe - endoscope 4DOF force feedback – forceps –Monitor

15. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Temporal Bone Dissection Simulation Prototype System Onyx2 IR2 – 64 MB Texture memory Virtual Research V8 Binoculars SensAble PHANToM 1.5 SensAble PHANToM Desktop Computer Speaker OpenGL GhostSDK

16. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Additional Supply high performance and large cluster computers to researchers though the state of Ohio –Cray SV1ex, SunFire 6800, Pentium 4 Cluster, Itanium 2 cluster Provide facilities for Video conferencing & Advance Learning Environment –BALE multimedia conference room –Access Grid equipped conference rooms State wide software license program

17. October 26 2004Presented at MIMOS 2004, Bjorn S. Nilsen The Ohio State Univerity Conclusions VR is not useful every where, Physics Analysis We are already finding it extremely useful and successful in our outreach activities VR should find a useful place in Engineering and similar geometry intensive fields Our limited experience with VR has us already asking for more.