The Commission on Computational Physics (C20) was established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics in 1996 to promote the exchange of information and views among the members of the international community of physicists in the area of Computational studies of problems originating in or relevant to physics.

Computational Physics is that methodological branch of physics where a computer is the basic tool for exploring the laws of nature. Work in this area includes:

  • Numerical and symbolic models and algorithms for the simulation of physical systems;
  • Computational control and data processing of experiments;
  • Programming and computational environments;
  • The physical basis of computer machinery.
Why Computational Physics?

There are many problems which are too complicated for analytical solution, and where for a variety of reasons a real experiment is impossible or undesirable. An advantage of computational simulation is that one can control conditions much more closely than in a real experiment. Well-known examples of this arise in the discoveries of chaos, inelastic scattering of solitons, and period doubling each of which was completely unexpected, and each of which has led to significant advances in theoretical understanding.

A New Area in Physics

Modern computers have developed in a tight symbiosis with computations in physics, and their development has proceeded through mutual interaction. Computational Physics has been rapidly maturing as the third leg of the scientific enterprise alongside Experiment and Theory.

The increase in computing power has been so great that it has effectively resulted in a qualitative change in the way computers can be used, and in the emergence of Computational Physics as a distinct methodology. With Exascale computers coming on line in the near future and Quantum Computing looking increasingly likely to become a reality, the future of Computational Physics is certain to unveil new and exciting surprises.

Annual conferences, CCP20xx, are held under the auspices of IUPAP, endorsed by the C20 Commission. The goal of this series is to assemble computational scientists working in physics and related areas to exchange latest developments in computational techniques and their appli- cations.

A Young Scientist Prize in Computational Physics is presented annually to a young scientist within 8 years after their PhD with original work of outstanding scientific quality in Computational Physics.

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To promote the exchange of information and views among the members of the international community of physicists in the area of Computational studies of problems originating in or relevant to physics, including;

  1. Numerical and symbolic models and algorithms for the simulation of physical systems
  2. Computational control and data processing of experiments
  3. Programming and computational environments
  4. The physical basis of computer machinery.

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To recommend for Union sponsorship international conferences which qualify for support under Union regulations.

To initiate such conferences as their need arises from the evolution of the Commission field.

To assist in the organization of such conferences when practical. To ensure the compatibility of international conferences in its field and to discourage clashes and incompatibility of dates.

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To promote the free circulation of scientists; to assist conference organizers in ensuring such free circulation and in resolving potential infringements.

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To organize where feasible the award of medals or other testimonials of excellence in its field.

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To publish where feasible newsletters, circulars, occasional books, journals or handbooks in its area.

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To maintain liaison with other IUPAP Commissions, with the Commissions or Committees of other Unions or of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) or other scientific organizations, with a view to collaborating and cooperating in sponsoring joint conferences and to participating in joint projects when need arises.

In particular to maintain close liaison with the General Commissions of IUPAP (SUNAMCO, Physics Education and Development), so as to ensure suitable input from its field into these physics-wide activities.

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To make available to each General Assembly of the Union a summary of activities and progress in its field since the previous Assembly.

Additional Information