Future directions in scientific supercomputing for computational physics

• Published in: Computer physics communications 2002-08, Vol.147 (1), p.34-39
• Main Authors: McCurdy, C.William, Simon, Horst D., Kramer, William T.C., Lucas, Robert F., Johnston, William E., Bailey, David H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computational and data grids; Computer systems: hardware, operating systems, computer languages and utilities; Computers in experimental physics; Exact sciences and technology; High performance computing; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Physics; Scientific challenge teams; Supercomputer center
• ISSN: 0010-4655; 1879-2944
• DOI: 10.1016/S0010-4655(02)00200-X

NERSC, the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, is a leading scientific computing facility for unclassified research, and has had a significant impact on computational physics in the U.S. Here we will summarize the recent experience at NERSC, and present the four key elements of our strategic plan for the next five years. Significant changes are expected to happen in computational science during this period. Supercomputer centers worldwide must continue to enhance their successful role as centers that bridge the gap between advanced development in computer science and mathematics on one hand, and scientific research in the physical, chemical, biological, and earth sciences on the other. Implementing such a strategy will position NERSC and other centers in the U.S. to continue to enhance the scientific productivity of the computational physics community, and to be an indispensable tool for scientific discovery.