Computer Simulations in Support of National Security

The Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative (ASCI) is an ambitious component of the DOE Stockpile Stewardship Program to maintain the safety and reliability of the nation's nuclear weapons. ASCI's goal is to provide the computing power and simulation technology that will allow weapons scientists to support assessment and certification of the nation's nuclear deterrent from their computer desktops. To provide this capability, the ASCI program is developing computer platforms powerful enough for teraflops calculations, writing three-dimensional weapons codes that reflect our understanding of the physics of the entire weapons system, and developing computer infrastructure that can run the codes on the platforms. In the long term, ASCI's achievements, developed to support our national security interests, will change the fundamental way scientists and engineers-and eventually, all of us-solve problems. Because it is a scientific grand challenge with a short schedule, ASCI work must be well planned and well coordinated throughout the three participant national laboratories-Livermore, Los Alamos, and Sandia. It must also take advantage of the world-class expertise of America's universities and ASCI's industrial partners.

Research Highlights

Argus Oversees and Protects All

Of Josephson Junctions, Quasi-particles, and Cooper Pairs

and LLNL Disclaimers

UCRL-52000