Advanced computing plays a central role in Nuclear Physics research, for instance supercomputing facilities which enable massive theoretical calculations of lattice Quantum Chromodynamics and supernova explosions, and machine learning algorithms which enable novel experimental analyses. Such computing capabilities are developing rapidly, and new approaches in both funding mechanisms and research community organization are needed to take full advantage of these developments.
A workshop entitled “Software Infrastructure for Advanced Nuclear Physics Computing” (SANPC 24) was held at Jefferson Lab in June 2024, bringing together NP theorists and experimentalists, computer and data scientists, and funding agency representatives, to discuss the NP advanced computing landscape and to identify the challenges presented by new facilities and emerging technologies. Workshop attendees represented all sub-areas of the US NP portfolio.
Attendees of the “Software Infrastructure for Advanced Nuclear Physics Computing” (SANPC 24) at Jefferson Lab.
The workshop is summarized in a recently posted White Paper, which presents the critical research directions in NP advanced computing, and the opportunities identified at the workshop for its sustainable support and growth. Special emphasis is placed on multi-disciplinary efforts, in which NP scientists partner with computer and data scientists and with industry. Such collaborations can vary widely in scale, requiring flexibility in the corresponding support mechanisms. Emphasis was also placed on workforce development and talent retention, requiring new approaches to provide robust career paths for computing-oriented NP scientists. The White Paper proposes the establishment of a standing committee representing the broad NP computing community, to coordinate discussion and provide guidance to funding agencies on advanced NP computing.
The workshop and the White Paper writing team were co-chaired by Peter Jacobs of the NSD and Amber Boehlein of JLab. Mateusz Ploskon of the NSD was an Experimental Working Group co-convenor and a member of the White Paper writing team.
