QCDVis: A Tool for the Visualization of Quantum Chromodynamics Data

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by Dean P Thomas, Rita Borgo, Robert S Laramee, Simon J Hands, QCDVis: A Tool for the Visualization of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) Data in Computers & Graphics, forthcoming (This is a revised version of the article which appeared in Proceedings of the Spring Conference on Computer Graphics 2017 pages 11-20, 15-17 May 2017, Mikulov, Czech Republic)

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Abstract
Quantum chromodynamics, most commonly referred to as QCD, is a relativistic quantum field theory for the strong interaction
between subatomic particles called quarks and gluons. The most systematic way of calculating the strong interactions of QCD
is a computational approach known as lattice gauge theory or lattice QCD. Space-time is discretised so that field variables are
formulated on the sites and links of a four dimensional hypercubic lattice. This technique enables the gluon field to be represented
using 3 × 3 complex matrices in four space-time dimensions. Importance sampling techniques can then be exploited to calculate
physics observables as functions of the fields, averaged over a statistically-generated and suitably weighted ensemble of field
configurations. In this paper we present a framework developed to visually assist scientists in the analysis of multidimensional
properties and emerging phenomena within QCD ensemble simulations. Core to the framework is the use of topology-driven
visualisation techniques which enable the user to segment the data into unique objects, calculate properties of individual objects
present on the lattice, and validate features detected using statistical measures. The framework enables holistic analysis to validate existing hypothesis against novel visual cues with the intent of supporting and steering scientists in the analysis and decision making process. Use of the framework has lead to new studies into the effect that variation of thermodynamic control parameters has on the topological structure of lattice fields.