Time-dependent Generator Coordinate Method Research Articles

Generalized time-dependent generator coordinate method for induced fission dynamics

Generalized time-dependent generator coordinate method for induced fission dynamics

Generalized time-dependent generator coordinate method for small- and large-amplitude collective motion

Generalized time-dependent generator coordinate method for small- and large-amplitude collective motion

Microscopic study of neutron-induced fission process of 239Pu via zero- and finite-temperature density functional theory* *Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11790325, 12275081, 11790320, 11790321, 11961131010, 11605054, 12105369, 12147219, 12047568) and the Continuous Basic Scientific Research Project (WDJC-2019-09)

To study the neutron-induced fission of Pu, potential energy surface (PES) calculations were performed using zero and finite-temperature density functional theory (FT-DFT) with the Skyrme force. The energy of the incident neutron was simulated by the temperature of the FT-DFT. The variations of the least-energy fission path, fission barrier, total kinetic energy, scission line, and mass distribution of fission fragments with the incident neutron energy were analyzed. It was learned that an increase in the temperature lowers the barrier height, the isomeric-state energy, and the ridge between symmetric and asymmetric fission valleys. Additionally, the gaps of the single particle levels become smaller with an increase in the temperature. As the temperature increases, the pre-fission region shrinks, and the scission occurs at smaller deformation around the symmetric fission channel. At low temperatures, the pairing correlations in the collective space are similar to those in zero-temperature DFT, and when the temperature is 0.3 MeV, the pairing gaps decrease rapidly. Two different methods were used to calculate the fission yields of the neutron-induced fission Pu (n, f) with different incident neutron energies, in the framework of time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM). One way to calculate the fission yield of Pu (n, f) is to solve the collective equation of the TDGCM by using the PES from the FT-DFT with the corresponding temperature. The other involves using the PES from the zero-temperature DFT and adjusting the initial collective energy of the wave packet in the TDGCM according to the incident neutron energy. For the cases of the lower incident neutron energies, these two methods gave similar results and reproduced the experimental peak and width of fission fragment distribution. However, for the highest incident neutron energy considered in this study, the results from the TDGCM using the PES from zero-temperature DFT deviated explicitly from the experimental data, whereas those obtained by using the PES from FT-DFT remained close to the experimental data. This indicated that, with the increase in the incident neutron energy, the shell structure of the compound nuclei changed explicitly; thus, it may not be effective to use the PES from zero-temperature to perform the fission dynamic calculation.

Time-dependent generator coordinate method study of fission. II. Total kinetic energy distribution

A model is developed to calculate the total kinetic energy (TKE) distribution of fission fragments in the framework of the time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM), extended to include dissipation effects in the description of induced fission dynamics. Starting from an expression for the dissipative term in the GCM Hamiltonian that determines the time evolution of a statistical collective wave function, derived in the first part of this work, the integrated flux of the probability current through the scission hyper-surface can be computed at different temperatures. The kinetic energy at scission for a specific pair of fragments at a given temperature is determined by the energy balance formula. By folding the kinetic energies of the fragments with the flux of the probability current, the TKE distribution is calculated. The method is illustrated with a calculation of the TKE distribution for induced fission of $^{228}$Th, in the 3D space of collective coordinates: axially-symmetric quadrupole and octupole deformations, and nuclear temperature.

Microscopic study on asymmetric fission dynamics of Hg180 within covariant density functional theory

The asymmetric fission dynamics of $^{180}\mathrm{Hg}$ has been analyzed in the framework of the time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM) based on covariant density functional theory (CDFT) with the relativistic PC-PK1 functional. Three-dimensional $({\ensuremath{\beta}}_{2},{\ensuremath{\beta}}_{3},{q}_{N})$ constrained CDFT calculations have been performed to determine the scission configurations. Remarkably, an asymmetric fission valley is observed in the potential energy surface in the ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{2}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\beta}}_{3}$ plane and the heavy/light fragments at scission are $^{101}\mathrm{Rh}/^{79}\mathrm{Br}$, in good agreement with the data. Furthermore, we find that the heavy fragments of lowest-energy scission configurations, compared to those of other scission points, have rather small quadrupole deformations (${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{2}\ensuremath{\sim}0.4$) and certain octupole deformations (${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{3}\ensuremath{\sim}0.3--0.4$), which are driven by the extended neutron octupole shell gap with $N=56$. Based on the scission configurations, the estimated total kinetic energy distribution is consistent with the trend of experimental data. Finally, the dynamical TDGCM calculation reproduces the asymmetric yield distribution of the low-energy fission of $^{180}\mathrm{Hg}$, especially for the peak positions.

Time-dependent generator coordinate method study of fission: Dissipation effects

Starting from a quantum theory of dissipation for nuclear collective motion introduced by Kerman and Koonin [Phys. Scr. 10, 118 (1974)], the time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM) is extended to allow for dissipation effects in the description of induced fission dynamics. The extension is based on a generalization of the GCM generating functions that includes excited states, and the resulting equation of motion in the collective coordinates and excitation energy. With the assumption of a narrow Hamiltonian kernel, an expansion in a power series in collective momenta leads to a Schr\"odinger-like equation that explicitly includes a dissipation term, proportional to the momentum of the statistical wave function. An illustrative calculation is performed for induced fission of $^{228}\mathrm{Th}$. The three-dimensional model space includes the axially symmetric quadrupole and octupole shape variables, and the nuclear temperature. When compared with data for photoinduced fission of $^{228}\mathrm{Th}$, the calculated fission yields demonstrate the important role of the additional term in the Hamiltonian that explicitly takes into account the dissipation of energy of collective motion into intrinsic degrees of freedom.

Microscopic analysis of induced nuclear fission dynamics

The dynamics of low-energy induced fission is explored using a consistent microscopic framework that combines the time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM) and time-dependent nuclear density functional theory (TDDFT). While the former presents a fully quantum mechanical approach that describes the entire fission process as an adiabatic evolution of collective degrees of freedom, the latter models the dissipative dynamics of the final stage of fission by propagating the nucleons independently toward scission and beyond. By combining the two methods, based on the same nuclear energy density functional and pairing interaction, we perform an illustrative calculation of the charge distribution of yields and total kinetic energy for induced fission of $^{240}$Pu. For the saddle-to-scission phase a set of initial points for the TDDFT evolution is selected along an iso-energy curve beyond the outer fission barrier on the deformation energy surface, and the TDGCM is used to calculate the probability that the collective wave function reaches these points at different times. Fission observables are computed with both methods and compared with available data. The relative merits of including quantum fluctuations (TDGCM) and the one-body dissipation mechanism (TDDFT) are discussed.

Microscopic self-consistent description of induced fission: Dynamical pairing degree of freedom

The role of dynamical pairing in induced fission dynamics is investigated using the time-dependent generator coordinate method in the Gaussian overlap approximation, based on the microscopic framework of nuclear energy density functionals. A calculation of fragment charge yields for induced fission of $^{228}$Th is performed in a three-dimensional space of collective coordinates that, in addition to the axial quadrupole and octupole intrinsic deformations of the nuclear density, also includes an isoscalar pairing degree of freedom. It is shown that the inclusion of dynamical pairing has a pronounced effect on the collective inertia, the collective flux through the scission hyper-surface, and the resulting fission yields, reducing the asymmetric peaks and enhancing the contribution of symmetric fission, in better agreement with the empirical trend.

Time-dependent generator coordinate method for many-particle tunneling

It has been known that the time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) method, or the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), fails to describe many-body quantum tunneling. We overcome this problem by superposing a few time-dependent Slater determinants with the time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM). We apply this method to scattering of two α particles in one dimension, and demonstrate that the TDGCM method yields a finite tunneling probability even at energies below the Coulomb barrier, at which the tunneling probability is exactly zero in the TDHF. This is the first case in which a many-particle tunneling is simulated with a microscopic real-time approach.

Microscopic description of induced fission dynamics with nuclear energy density functionals

Static and dynamic aspects of the fission process are analyzed in a self-consistent framework based on energy density functionals. Multidimensionally constrained mean-field calculations in the collective space determine the potential energy surface of the fissioning nucleus, the scission line, the single-nucleon wave functions, energies, and occupation probabilities. Induced fission dynamics is described using the time-dependent generator coordinate method in the Gaussian overlap approximation. The position of the scission line is analyzed as a function of the strength of the pairing interaction, as well as the effect of static pairing correlations on charge yields and total kinetic energy of fission fragments.

From asymmetric to symmetric fission in the fermium isotopes within the time-dependent generator-coordinate-method formalism

Predicting the properties of neutron-rich nuclei far from the valley of stability is one of the major challenges of modern nuclear theory. In heavy and superheavy nuclei, a difference of only a few neutrons is sufficient to change the dominant fission mode. A theoretical approach capable of predicting such rapid transitions for neutron-rich systems would be a valuable tool to better understand r-process nucleosynthesis or the decay of super-heavy elements. In this work, we investigate for the first time the transition from asymmetric to symmetric fission through the calculation of primary fission yields with the time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM). We choose here the transition in neutron-rich Fermium isotopes, which was the first to be observed experimentally in the late seventies and is often used as a benchmark for theoretical studies. We compute the primary fission fragment mass and charge yields for 254 Fm, 256 Fm and 258 Fm from the TDGCM under the Gaussian overlap approximation. The static part of the calculation (generation of a potential energy surface) consists in a series of constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations based on the D1S, D1M or D1N parameterizations of the Gogny effective interaction in a two-center harmonic oscillator basis. The 2-dimensional dynamics in the collective space spanned by the quadrupole and octupole moments is then computed with the finite element solver FELIX-2.0. The available experimental data and the TDGCM post-dictions are consistent and agree especially on the position in the Fermium isotopic chain at which the transition occurs. The main limitation of the method lies in the presence of discontinuities in the 2-dimensional manifold of generator states.

Microscopic self-consistent description of induced fission dynamics: Finite-temperature effects

The dynamics of induced fission of $^{226}$Th is investigated in a theoretical framework based on the finite-temperature time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM) in the Gaussian overlap approximation (GOA). The thermodynamical collective potential and inertia tensor at temperatures in the interval $T=0 - 1.25$ MeV are calculated using the self-consistent multidimensionally constrained relativistic mean field (MDC-RMF) model, based on the energy density functional DD-PC1. Pairing correlations are treated in the BCS approximation with a separable pairing force of finite range. Constrained RMF+BCS calculations are carried out in the collective space of axially symmetric quadrupole and octupole deformations for the asymmetric fissioning nucleus $^{226}$Th. The collective Hamiltonian is determined by the temperature-dependent free energy surface and perturbative cranking inertia tensor, and the TDGCM+GOA is used to propagate the initial collective state in time. The resulting charge and mass fragment distributions are analyzed as functions of the internal excitation energy. The model can qualitatively reproduce the empirical triple-humped structure of the fission charge and mass distributions already at $T=0$, but the precise experimental position of the asymmetric peaks and the symmetric-fission yield can only be accurately reproduced when the potential and inertia tensor of the collective Hamiltonian are determined at finite temperature, in this particular case between $T=0.75$ MeV and $T=1$ MeV.

FELIX-2.0: New version of the finite element solver for the time dependent generator coordinate method with the Gaussian overlap approximation

The time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM) is a powerful method to study the large amplitude collective motion of quantum many-body systems such as atomic nuclei. Under the Gaussian Overlap Approximation (GOA), the TDGCM leads to a local, time-dependent Schrödinger equation in a multi-dimensional collective space. In this paper, we present the version 2.0 of the code FELIX that solves the collective Schrödinger equation in a finite element basis. This new version features: (i) the ability to solve a generalized TDGCM+GOA equation with a metric term in the collective Hamiltonian, (ii) support for new kinds of finite elements and different types of quadrature to compute the discretized Hamiltonian and overlap matrices, (iii) the possibility to leverage the spectral element scheme, (iv) an explicit Krylov approximation of the time propagator for time integration instead of the implicit Crank–Nicolson method implemented in the first version, (v) an entirely redesigned workflow. We benchmark this release on an analytic problem as well as on realistic two-dimensional calculations of the low-energy fission of 240Pu and 256Fm. Low to moderate numerical precision calculations are most efficiently performed with simplex elements with a degree 2 polynomial basis. Higher precision calculations should instead use the spectral element method with a degree 4 polynomial basis. We emphasize that in a realistic calculation of fission mass distributions of 240Pu, FELIX-2.0 is about 20 times faster than its previous release (within a numerical precision of a few percents). Program summaryProgram Title: FELIX-2.0Program Files doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/t8b4h9g88r.1Licensing provisions: GPLv3Programming language: C++Journal reference of previous version: Computer Physics Communications 200, 350–363 (2016)Does the new version supersede the previous version?: YesReasons for the new version: FELIX-2.0 extends the physics capabilities of the previous version, since it includes the option to have a metric term in the collective Schrödinger equation. The computational efficiency of the code is considerably increased thanks to the implementation of several new numerical methods. This version also provides a more flexible and robust workflow to perform calculation of fission fragment distributions more efficiently.Summary of revisions: The new version includes the ability to use a metric term in the TDGCM+GOA equation. Numerical integration methods (both spatial and time integration) have been updated to more efficient schemes: matrix elements are now computed with Gauss–Legendre or Gauss–Legendre–Lobatto quadratures, the time propagation of the wave packet is computed with the Krylov approximation of the propagator instead of the previous Crank–Nicolson scheme. A new type of finite element based on n-dimensional orthotope is implemented, which enables a spectral element scheme for spatial discretization. Finally, the workflow and inputs/outputs of the code were entirely redesigned to provide more flexibility and be more user-friendly.Nature of problem: The Gaussian overlap approximation to the time-dependent generator coordinate method [1,2] yields a local, time-dependent Schrödinger equation in a small, multi-dimensional collective space. Its solution provides the time-evolution of the collective probability amplitude. For applications to nuclear fission, scission configurations are defined by a hyper-surface in this collective space referred to as the frontier. Distributions of nuclear observables such as charge or mass distributions of the fission fragments are extracted from the probability for the system to pass through any given section of the frontier. This probability is computed by first solving the evolution equation up to times greater than 10−20s and then integrating the flux of probability through the frontier over the entire timerange.Solution method: FELIX-2.0 solves the time-dependent Schrödinger equation by first discretizing the N-dimensional collective space with the continuous Galerkin Finite Element Method. This produces a large set of coupled, time-dependent Schrödinger equations characterized by the sparse overlap and Hamiltonian matrices. The solution is evolved in small time steps by applying an explicit and unitary propagator built as a Krylov approximation [3] of the exponential of the Hamiltonian.Additional comments including Restrictions and Unusual features: Although the implementation of the program gives it the ability to solve the TDGCM+GOA equation in a generic N-dimensional collective space, it has only been tested on 1-, 2- and 3-dimensional meshes.[1] J.J. Griffin, J. A. Wheeler, Collective Motions in Nuclei by the Method of Generator Coordinates, Phys. Rev. C 108, 311-327 (1975)[2] P. G. Reinhard, K. Goeke, The Generator-Coordinate Method and Quantized Collective Motion in Nuclear Systems, Rep. Prog. Phys. 50, 1-64 (1987)[3] Y. Saad, Iterative Methods for Sparse Linear Systems: Second Edition, SIAM, 2003

Microscopic study of induced fission dynamics of Th226 with covariant energy density functionals

Static and dynamic aspects of the fission process of $^{226}\mathrm{Th}$ are analyzed in a self-consistent framework based on relativistic energy density functionals. Constrained relativistic mean-field calculations in the collective space of axially symmetric quadrupole and octupole deformations, based on the energy density functional PC-PK1 and a $\ensuremath{\delta}$-force pairing, are performed to determine the potential energy surface of the fissioning nucleus, the scission line, the single-nucleon wave functions, energies, and occupation probabilities, as functions of deformation parameters. Induced fission dynamics is described using the time-dependent generator coordinate method in the Gaussian overlap approximation. A collective Schr\"odinger equation, determined entirely by the microscopic single-nucleon degrees of freedom, propagates adiabatically in time the initial wave packet built by boosting the ground-state solution of the collective Hamiltonian for $^{226}\mathrm{Th}$. The position of the scission line and the microscopic input for the collective Hamiltonian are analyzed as functions of the strength of the pairing interaction. The effect of static pairing correlations on the preneutron emission charge yields and total kinetic energy of fission fragments is examined in comparison with available data, and the distribution of fission fragments is analyzed for different values of the initial excitation energy.

Fission dynamics of Cf252

The time-dependent generator coordinate method with the gaussian overlap approximation (TDGCM+GOA) formalism is applied to describe the fission of $^{252}\mathrm{Cf}$. We perform analysis of fission from the initial states laying in the energetic range from the ground state to the state located 4 MeV above the fission barrier. The fission fragment mass distributions, obtained for different parity, energy of levels, and types of mixed states, are calculated and compared with experimental data. The impact of the total time of wave packet propagation on the final results is studied as well. The weak dependence of obtained mass yields on the initial conditions is shown.

Fission description: First steps towards a full resolution of the time-dependent Hill-Wheeler equation

Dynamical description of low energy fission is, in our full microscopic approach, decomposed in two steps. In the first step we generate the Potential Energy Surface (PES) of the compound system we want to describe with the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) method with a Gogny interaction. The second step uses the Time Dependent Generator Coordinate Method (TDGCM) with the Gaussian Overlap Approximation (GOA). The GOA holds in two assumptions: the overlap matrix between HFB states has a gaussian shape (with respect to the difference between coordinates of states in deformation space); and the expectation value of the collective hamiltonian between these states can be expanded up to order two, leading in this case to a Schrodinger-like equation. In this work we replace TDGCM+GOA in the second step of our approach by an exact treatment of the TDGCM. The main equation of this method is the time-dependent Hill-Wheeler equation and involves two objects: the overlap matrix and the collective hamiltonian. We first calculate these matrices on a PES. Then, we build an “exact TDGCM” solver using a finite element method and a Crank-Nicolson scheme. In this talk, we will present the time-dependent Hill-Wheeler equation and discretization schemes (in time and deformation space). The analytic calculation of overlap matrix and collective hamiltonian will be detailed. Finally, first results with an exact treatment of the TDGCM will be discussed.

Microscopic description of fission dynamics: Toward a 3D computation of the time dependent GCM equation

Accurate knowledge of fission fragment yields is an essential ingredient of numerous applications ranging from the formation of elements in the r-process to fuel cycle optimization in nuclear energy. The need for a predictive theory applicable where no data is available, together with the variety of potential applications, is an incentive to develop a fully microscopic approach to fission dynamics. One of the most promising theoretical frameworks is the time dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM) applied under the Gaussian overlap approximation (GOA). However, the computational cost of this method makes it difficult to perform calculations with more than two collective degree of freedom. Meanwhile, it is well-known from both semi-phenomenological and fully microscopic approaches that at least four or five dimensions may play a role in the dynamics of fission. To overcome this limitation, we develop the code FELIX aiming to solve the TDGCM+GOA equation for an arbitrary number of collective variables. In this talk, we report the recent progress toward this enriched description of fission dynamics. We will briefly present the numerical methods adopted as well as the status of the latest version of FELIX. Finally, we will discuss fragments yields obtained within this approach for the low energy fission of major actinides.

Fission fragment charge and mass distributions inPu239(n,f)in the adiabatic nuclear energy density functional theory

Background: Accurate knowledge of fission fragment yields is an essential ingredient of numerous applications ranging from the formation of elements in the $r$ process to fuel cycle optimization for nuclear energy. The need for a predictive theory applicable where no data are available, together with the variety of potential applications, is an incentive to develop a fully microscopic approach to fission dynamics.Purpose: In this work, we calculate the pre-neutron emission charge and mass distributions of the fission fragments formed in the neutron-induced fission of $^{239}\mathrm{Pu}$ using a microscopic method based on nuclear density functional theory (DFT).Methods: Our theoretical framework is the nuclear energy density functional (EDF) method, where large-amplitude collective motion is treated adiabatically by using the time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM) under the Gaussian overlap approximation (GOA). In practice, the TDGCM is implemented in two steps. First, a series of constrained EDF calculations map the configuration and potential-energy landscape of the fissioning system for a small set of collective variables (in this work, the axial quadrupole and octupole moments of the nucleus). Then, nuclear dynamics is modeled by propagating a collective wave packet on the potential-energy surface. Fission fragment distributions are extracted from the flux of the collective wave packet through the scission line.Results: We find that the main characteristics of the fission charge and mass distributions can be well reproduced by existing energy functionals even in two-dimensional collective spaces. Theory and experiment agree typically within two mass units for the position of the asymmetric peak. As expected, calculations are sensitive to the structure of the initial state and the prescription for the collective inertia. We emphasize that results are also sensitive to the continuity of the collective landscape near scission.Conclusions: Our analysis confirms that the adiabatic approximation provides an effective scheme to compute fission fragment yields. It also suggests that, at least in the framework of nuclear DFT, three-dimensional collective spaces may be a prerequisite to reach 10% accuracy in predicting pre-neutron emission fission fragment yields.

Microscopic predictions of fission yields based on the time dependent GCM formalism

Accurate knowledge of fission fragment yields is an essential ingredient of numerous applications ranging from the formation of elements in the r-process to fuel cycle optimization in nuclear energy. The need for a predictive theory applicable where no data is available, together with the variety of potential applications, is an incentive to develop a fully microscopic approach to fission dynamics. One of the most promising theoretical frameworks is the time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM) applied under the Gaussian overlap approximation (GOA). Previous studies reported promising results by numerically solving the TDGCM+GOA equation with a finite difference technique. However, the computational cost of this method makes it difficult to properly control numerical errors. In addition, it prevents one from performing calculations with more than two collective variables. To overcome these limitations, we developed the new code FELIX-1.0 that solves the TDGCM+GOA equation based on the Galerkin finite element method. In this article, we briefly illustrate the capabilities of the solver FELIX-1.0, in particular its validation for n+ 239 Pu low energy induced fission. This work is the result of a collaboration between CEA,DAM,DIF and LLNL on nuclear fission theory.

FELIX-1.0: A finite element solver for the time dependent generator coordinate method with the Gaussian overlap approximation

We describe the software package FELIX that solves the equations of the time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM) in N-dimensions (N≥1) under the Gaussian overlap approximation. The numerical resolution is based on the Galerkin finite element discretization of the collective space and the Crank–Nicolson scheme for time integration. The TDGCM solver is implemented entirely in C++. Several additional tools written in C++, Python or bash scripting language are also included for convenience. In this paper, the solver is tested with a series of benchmarks calculations. We also demonstrate the ability of our code to handle a realistic calculation of fission dynamics. Program summaryProgram title: FELIX-1.0Catalogue identifier: AEYZ_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEYZ_v1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: GNU General Public License, Version 2No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 1192325No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 10214787Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: C++.Computer: Intel Xeon, Intel Core.Operating system: LINUX.RAM: Memory usage depends on the number of nodes in the calculation mesh as well as on the degree of the interpolation polynomials. For a 1D calculation with linear polynomials on a mesh with 600 nodes, memory usage is approximately 3.3 MB; in a realistic simulation of fission on a 2D mesh with quadratic polynomials and 1.3 105 nodes, it reaches 1.5 GiB.Classification: 17.23.External routines: The solver itself requires the BLAS and LAPACK libraries, and a Fortran compiler with OpenMP support. Building the documentation requires DoxyGen-1.8.6 or higher. Building the full set of tools also requires GSL, PETSc, SLEPc and Boost. In particular, environment variables PETSC_DIR, PETSC_ARCH, SLEPC_DIR and SLEPC_ARCH must be set.Nature of problem: Nuclear fission is a relatively slow process compared to the typical timescale of the intrinsic motion of the nucleons. In the adiabatic approximation, it can be described as a large amplitude collective motion driven by only a few collective degrees of freedom. In the time-dependent generator coordinate method (TDGCM), the nuclear wave-function is thus described as a time-dependent, linear superposition of basis functions in this collective space. Further assuming a Gaussian overlap approximation (GOA) for the basis functions, the time-dependent Schrödinger equation can be reduced into a local, time-dependent, Schrödinger-like equation in collective space. This is the TDGCM+GOA equation. Scission configurations are defined as a hyper-surface in the N-dimensional collective space. Fission fragment distributions are then computed by integrating over time the flux of the collective wave-packet across the scission hyper-surface. This microscopic approach to fission fragment distributions is fully quantum-mechanical.Solution method: FELIX solves the TDGCM+GOA equation by using the Galerkin finite element method to discretize the N-dimensional collective space, and the Crank–Nicolson scheme to solve for the time evolution. At each time step, this procedure requires solving a linear system of equation involving sparse, complex, symmetric matrices. FELIX employs an iterative QMR algorithm to perform matrix inversion.Restrictions: Although the program can operate in an arbitrary number of dimensions N, it has only been tested in practice on 1, 2 and 3 dimensional meshes.Additional comments: The code has checkpointing capabilities: the collective wave-function, norm a and energy kernels are stored on disk every n iterations, ensuring that the program can resume where it stops.Running time: Running time grows linearly with the number of time-steps requested by the user. It is also highly dependent on the number of nodes in the space mesh. Two periods of a 1D harmonic oscillator (600 nodes, 800 time steps) are typically computed in a few seconds on one thread of a Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU. A 2-dimensional realistic case of fission (105 nodes, 105 time steps) requires roughly 10 h on 10 threads of an Intel Xeon EP X5660 processor.