U.S.-Japan Seminar: Simulations of Complex Behavior from Simple Models

0456399兰道该奖项支持美国科学家参加将于2005年6月26日至29日在夏威夷坎纳帕利举行的美日科学家联合研讨会，该研讨会将从简单模型模拟复杂行为。联合组织者是雅典佐治亚大学的David Landau教授和日本东京都大学的Yutaka Okabe教授。统计物理学中的计算机模拟在物理学的各个领域的知识方面取得了令人印象深刻的成果。随着并行计算平台的出现，模拟相当大的系统已经成为可能，我们现在可以认真考虑通过使用互补算法来跨越长度尺度上的许多数量级的方法。在物理学中有许多问题，其中感兴趣的模型并不是非常复杂的，但其结果是极其复杂的行为，而且进步需要非常的措施。关于某些模型是否存在到有序状态的相变，问题仍然存在。因此，讲习班的目标是着重了解不同系统中出现的时间尺度长、结构复杂的问题，并审查克服这些困难的方法。感兴趣的主题从确定不同自旋模型中的临界指数到复杂系统(如玻璃)中相变的性质，以及描述复杂系统(如自旋玻璃和折叠蛋白质模型)中的基态。还将重点开发经典模型和量子模型的算法，以处理长时间尺度，包括那些在极低温度下成核的算法。联合组织者在该领域拥有互补的科学专业知识。这使他们能够评估并吸引最好的科学研究人员参与。设计有效的策略，使这些物理系统的计算机模拟变得实用，可能会导致我们在蛋白质折叠、玻璃、生长和各种数学模型方面的研究取得重大进展，这些模型多年来一直是一个挑战。刺激新算法的发展和刺激新科学的可能性也很高。讲习班组织者特别努力让博士后、研究生和代表性不足的群体既作为参与者又作为观察员。与该领域的日本专家交换想法和数据将使美国参与者能够推进他们自己的工作，并将为未来的合作项目奠定基础。研讨会结束后，组织者计划建立一个研讨会网页。会议记录将在本网站上公布。

0456399LandauThis award supports the participation of American scientists in a U.S.-Japan joint workshop for scientists on simulations of complex behavior from simple models to be held in Kannapali, Hawaii from June 26-29, 2005. The co-organizers are Professor David Landau at the University of Georgia in Athens and Professor Yutaka Okabe at the Tokyo Metropolitan University in Japan. Computer simulations in statistical physics have resulted in impressive gains in knowledge in diverse areas of physics. With the advent of parallel computing platforms, it has become possible to simulate quite large systems and we can now seriously consider ways to span many orders of magnitude in length scale by using complementary algorithms. There are many problems in physics where the model of interest is not very complicated but the resultant behavior is extremely complex and progress demands extraordinary measures. Questions still remain about whether or not certain models even have phase transitions to ordered states. Therefore, the goal of the workshop is to focus on understanding the problems with long time scales and complex structures which occur in diverse systems and to examine ways of overcoming these difficulties. The topics of interest range from the determination of critical exponents in different spin models to the nature of phase transitions in complex systems, such as glasses, and the description of groundstates in complex systems such as spin glasses and folded protein models. There will also be emphasis on development of algorithms for both classical and quantum models to deal with the long time scales including those which occur for nucleation at very low temperatures. The co-organizers have complementary scientific expertise in the field. This enables them to evaluate and attract the best science researchers to participate. Devising effective strategies that would make computer simulation of these physical systems practical could lead to significant advances in our study of protein folding, glasses, growth, and various mathematical models that have presented a challenge over the years. There is also a high probability of stimulating the development of new algorithms and stimulating new science. The workshop organizers have made a special effort to involve postdocs, graduate students and underrepresented groups as both participants and observers. The exchange of ideas and data with Japanese experts in the field will enable U.S. participants to advance their own work, and will set the stage for future collaborative projects. Following the seminar the organizers plan to establish a workshop web page. Conference proceedings will be published on this web site.