Computational Science

The Numerical Tokamak Turbulence Project, a DOE Grand Challenge, is developing the ability to predict turbulence in tokamak fusion experiments. These images show the results for the perturbed plasma density from a Gryffin gyrofluid ion-temperature-gradient (ITG) instability simulation viewed in noncircular magnetic geometry. The ITG perturbations are shown on a bundle of magnetic flux lines in the second image.

Outstanding achievements in computational science are enhancing the reputation of NERSC and the nationwide community of researchers who use our computing facilities. High performance computing is a field in which real-world results sometimes lag behind technological advances. For several years, NERSC has been working to narrow that gap, making state-of-the-art computing a practical tool for scientific research.

Our success was recognized by our peers in the awards presented to NERSC researchers and staff at SC98 in Orlando. But our real reward is the satisfaction we receive from contributing to scientific progress, such as the discovery that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, and thus is likely to go on expanding forever.

As a national facility for scientific research, funded by the Department of Energy, Office of Science (DOE SC), NERSC annually serves about 2,000 scientists throughout the United States (Figure 1). These researchers work in DOE laboratories, universities, industry, and other Federal agencies (Figure 2). Computational science conducted at NERSC covers the entire range of scientific disciplines, but is focused on research that supports the DOE's mission and scientific goals (Figure 3).

This Annual Report provides a representative (though not exhaustive) sampling of NERSC researchers' scientific accomplishments in 1998.