Our computational sciences effort supports a wide range of mission-critical elements for fusion and other experimental activities, including whole-device plasma modeling, fusion reactor design, and the experimental validation and testing of theoretical models. Our scientists do broader computation-intensive research as well, such as exascale computing, applied mathematics, and quantum materials and devices. Our researchers have access to two high-performance computers at Princeton University and large world-class computers at other national laboratories. Conducting research through advanced computing is central to the fusion and plasma science mission of PPPL. Now as part of the Lab’s expansion into a multi-purpose research center physicist William Dorland of the University of Maryland has joined PPPL to create and run a high-performance Computational Sciences Department. Its roles range from helping to establish the knowledge needed to develop a fusion energy source to expanding our understanding of extreme high-density and high-pressure matter and advancing new ways to generate energy. Included will be research for the Exascale Computing Project Whole Device Modeling Application headed by PPPL that aims to predict all the physics required to control magnetically confined fusion plasmas. Supporting these expanded capabilities is Stellar, a new computing cluster at the Princeton University High Performance Computing Research Center that PPPL will share with the University. The new cluster complements the University’s previously installed Traverse computer, is available to science and engineering researchers throughout the Laboratory, and strongly enhances PPPL’s computing capacity. The system provides both high-performance computation for key PPPL codes and a site to ready the codes to run on DOE leadership computing facilities. Related links Computational Sciences
