STRONGNET

Strong Interaction Supercomputing Training Network

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The research aims at a deeper understanding of properties of strongly interacting matter. This is mainly done by means of numerical simulations of the underlying theory (QCD) on supercomputers (Lattice QCD). We wish to understand QCD for its own sake and as a prototype of a strongly interacting fundamental theory. Therefore we will calculate the spectrum of mesons, baryons and of exotic states, their decays and their internal structure. We will also address questions of a purely quantum field theoretical nature that are also of interest to string theorists. In order to forward our understanding of matter under extreme conditions, i.e. at high temperatures like in the early universe and at high densities such as those inside of neutron stars we will calculate the phase diagram of QCD with light sea quarks and the equation of state at high temperatures. A sound description of QCD is indispensable for identification of physics beyond the Standard Model. Accurate calculations of certain QCD matrix elements are required. We will e.g. contribute to improving the upper limit on the CP violating so-called QCD Theta-angle and to theoretical predictions of mixing in the neutral D-Meson system. State-of-the-art supercomputers will be pushed to their limits. Hence the project includes a strong interdisciplinary component. The improvement of numerical algorithms and the optimization of software play important roles in such calculations. The development of computer hardware represents an essential part of the network activity. Interested researchers will have the chance of getting involved into this. The research provides a solid training in the analytical skills needed in quantum field theory and in particle physics phenomenology. The researchers will receive training in high performance and grid computing and in software development. Such skills are needed in academia as well as in quantitative finance, IT, oil exploration etc.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) explains how quarks and gluons are bound by the strong nuclear force to form so-called hadrons, such as the proton and the neutron. An EU-funded project sought a deeper understanding of the properties of these and other strongly interacting particles.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Strong interactions play a key role in the formation of matter, with a rich phenomenology. The validity of QCD as the fundamental theory of strong interactions is well tested at very short distances by high energy experiments, but analytic solutions are hard or impossible to obtain at distances similar to the size of the proton.

To obtain predictions in this regime, QCD is discretized on a four-dimensional spacetime lattice and numerically simulated (lattice QCD). These simulations require enormous computing power. The 'Strong interaction supercomputing training network' (http://www.physik.uni-regensburg.de/strongnet/ (STRONGNET)) advanced simulation algorithms, developed supercomputing hardware components and undertook major numerical simulations.

Ten universities from seven EU Member States joined their efforts to meet these challenges. They developed dedicated software tools and computer hardware. Together with the network's industrial partners for instance the QCD Parallel computing on the Cell broadband Engine (QPACE) supercomputer was developed that delivered a higher performance/power ratio (Green Computing) than industrial installations. New Monte Carlo integrators and efficient Multigrid linear solvers were developed and a multitude of observables relevant to particle physics computed.

STRONGNET partners shared their expertise with a large number of early-stage researchers who were trained in the numerical methods needed in quantum field theory and particle physics. Some of these new generation physicists will continue to solve QCD problems, helping to maximize the impact of particle physics experiments and thereby advancing our understanding of Nature. Others now work in industry where similar skills are required.