Developing performance portable plasma edge simulations: A survey

• Published in: Computer physics communications Vol. 298; no. C; p. 109123
• Main Authors: Wright, Steven A., Ridgers, Christopher P., Mudalige, Gihan R., Lantra, Zaman, Williams, Josh, Sunderland, Andrew, Thorne, H. Sue, Arter, Wayne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.05.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Coupling; High-performance; Parallel programming; Plasma simulation; Portability; Reactor design; Plasma simulation; Portability; Parallel programming; Coupling; Reactor design; High-performance
• ISSN: 0010-4655; 1879-2944
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpc.2024.109123

Heterogeneous architectures are increasingly common in modern High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems. Achieving high-performance on such heterogeneous systems requires new approaches to application development that are able to achieve the three Ps: Performance, Portability, and Productivity. In this paper, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art for developing high-performance, portable and productive multi-physics applications with particular focus on the simulation of a plasma fusion reactor. Simulating such a complex system relies on both fluid- and particle-based simulations, and coupling interfaces between these two domains. We also review the current state-of-the-art in reasoning about the performance, portability and productivity of HPC applications. •Outlines approaches to developing high-performance numerical simulations.•Reviews the state-of-the-art in programming languages and parallel programming models.•Summarises high- and low-level domain specific languages targeting plasma fusion.•Outlines methods for coupling scientific simulations.•Describes methods for reasoning about performance, portability and productivity in HPC.