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Computational Physics Group

This is an IOP special interest group, which is a community of IOP members focused on a particular discipline, application or area of interest. 

Special interest groups allow members to connect and share knowledge and ideas. The IOP funds groups to deliver a range of activities including events, prizes and bursaries. All of our groups are driven by members. 


    About the group

    As a special interest, member-driven group, we look at computational physics, which is broadly defined as the science of using computers to:

    • support physics research
    • help find solutions to physical problems

    Computers have a role in almost every branch of physics. Areas in the scope of computational physics include:

    • large-scale quantum mechanical calculations in nuclear, atomic, molecular and condensed matter physics
    • large-scale calculations in fields like hydrodynamics, astrophysics, plasma physics, meteorology and geophysics
    • simulation and modelling of complex physical systems like those in condensed matter physics, medical physics and industrial applications
    • experimental data processing and image processing
    • computer algebra in development and applications
    • online interactions between physicist and the computer system
    • encouragement of professional expertise in computational physics in schools and universities

    Computational physics

    The huge increase in the power of computers has made an impact on the role of computational physics. In some cases, entire problems can now be solved computationally without the need for any experimental input.

    Computer graphics and visualisation play an important role in the scientific process. They can provide a greater understanding of physical processes. There have been advances in:

    • microelectronics
    • computer science
    • numerical analysis

    These all impact on computational physics.

    What the group does

    It is important that practitioners of the subject are aware of developments in these fields.

    Our membership is currently about 1,150. Members include those working in:

    • industry
    • academic institutions
    • government research organisations

    Joining an IOP special interest group

    For non-IOP members: Become a member now

    For IOP members: Find out how to join a group

    Group prize

    Annual PhD Thesis Prize

    This award is for significant contributions to the advancement of computational physics

    Find out more about the Annual PhD Thesis Prize.

    Group events

    Find events for the Computational Physics Group

    Newsletter

    Our newsletter produced at least once a year includes events, news of group activities, announcements of meetings and exciting applications of computational physics.

    Contribute to the newsletter

    Email: [email protected].

    Useful links

    Blog

    Read more on the blog of the Computational Physics Group of the Institute of Physics.

    Committee and contacts

    Chair Dr James Uhomoibhi, CPhys MInstP
    Secretary Dr Bart Vorselaars, MInstP
    Treasurer Dr Oisin Creaner, MInstP 
    Ordinary Member Dr Alan Dawes, CPhys MInstP
    Ordinary Member Dr Nikolaos Fytas, MInstP
    Ordinary Member Mr Rohit Goswami, MInstP
    Ordinary Member Dr Janusz Holender, MInstP
    Ordinary Member Dr Richard Hugtenburg, MInstP
    Ordinary Member Dr Mateusz Malenta, MInstP
    Ordinary Member Dr Laura Ratcliff, MInstP
    Ordinary Member Mr Kartik Tiwari
    Ordinary Member Professor Gang Zhang, FInstP

    Mailto: [email protected]