The Castro AMR Simulation Code: Current and Future Developments

TL;DR

This paper discusses recent updates to the Castro astrophysics simulation code, including advanced integration methods and GPU offloading, to improve modeling of X-ray bursts and reduce computational costs.

Contribution

Introduction of high-order coupling of hydrodynamics and reactions, and GPU offloading in Castro for enhanced X-ray burst simulations.

Findings

New integration technique improves simulation accuracy.

GPU offloading reduces computational expense.

Enhanced features enable more detailed astrophysical modeling.

Abstract

We describe recent developments to the Castro astrophysics simulation code, focusing on new features that enable our simulations of X-ray bursts. Two highlights of Castro's ongoing development are the new integration technique to couple hydrodynamics and reactions to high order and GPU offloading. We discuss how these features will help offset some of the computational expense in X-ray burst models.