Large-Scale Numerical Simulations of Stellar Systems

麦克米兰博士将使用新的计算技术和能力研究恒星动力系统的行为。特别是，他将对涉及自引力系统动力学的两个独立但密切相关的问题进行数值研究。第一个需要通过将新的力量评估方法纳入已建立的集成代码，将现有的集成技术扩展到质量上新的领域。第二部分涉及对著名的三体问题的详细研究，集中于散射相遇的参数空间结构，以及所谓的分层三元组的稳定性。这项工作的结果将是：(i)开发一种新的恒星动态积分代码，这将允许在质量上新的现实程度引入星团模拟；（ii）我们对推动演化和决定星团外观的微物理过程的理解有了重大改进；（三）重要的新增加的数值技术，将使我们能够充分利用下一代超级和并行计算机的能力。特别令人感兴趣的是一种新的大规模并行计算机在星团模拟中的应用，并将其与更传统的超级计算机的计算适用性进行比较。

Dr. McMillan will study the behavior of stellar dynamical systems using new computational techniques and capabilities. In particular he will perform numerical studies of two separate, but closely related, problems involving the dynamics of self-gravitating systems. The first entails the extension of existing integration techniques into qualitatively new domains, via the incorporation of new force evaluation methods into established integration codes. The second involves a detailed investigation of the celebrated three-body problem, concentrating on the structure of its parameter space for scattering encounters, and on the stability of so called hierarchical triples. The results of this work will be: (i) the development of a new stellar dynamical integration code that will permit a qualitatively new degree of realism to be introduced into star cluster simulations; (ii) a significant improvement in our understanding of the microphysical processes that drive the evolution, and determine the appearance of star clusters; and (iii) important new additions to the arsenal of numerical techniques that will enable us to fully utilize the capabilities of the next generation of super and parallel computers. Of particular interest is the application of a new massively parallel computer in star cluster simulations and comparison of its suitability for these computations with that of more traditional supercomputers.