High performance numerical modeling of ultra-short laser pulse propagation based on multithreaded parallel hardware

Abstract

The focus of this study is development of parallelised version of severely sequential and
iterative numerical algorithms based on multi-threaded parallel platform such as a graphics
processing unit. This requires design and development of a platform-specific numerical
solution that can benefit from the parallel capabilities of the chosen platform.
Graphics processing unit was chosen as a parallel platform for design and development of
a numerical solution for a specific physical model in non-linear optics. This problem appears
in describing ultra-short pulse propagation in bulk transparent media that has recently been
subject to several theoretical and numerical studies. The mathematical model describing this
phenomenon is a challenging and complex problem and its numerical modeling limited on
current modern workstations.
Numerical modeling of this problem requires a parallelisation of an essentially serial
algorithms and elimination of numerical bottlenecks. The main challenge to overcome is
parallelisation of the globally non-local mathematical model.
This thesis presents a numerical solution for elimination of numerical bottleneck associated
with the non-local nature of the mathematical model. The accuracy and performance of
the parallel code is identified by back-to-back testing with a similar serial version.

Date of Award	15 Jan 2013
Original language	English
Supervisor	Vladimir Mezentsev (Supervisor)