Novel applications of computers

JUL 01, 1970

Encouraged by the availability of computers and challenged by particular problems, physicists have discovered new ways to use these powerful machines

DOI: 10.1063/1.3022232

Barbara Goss Levi

BECAUSE most physicists now have access to a computer, they are able to tackle problems that might formerly have been unsolvable; at the very least they are able to solve their problems far more quickly and accurately. In a recent sample poll of its readers, PHYSICS TODAY learned that about 90% now use computers in their work. Most of these (85%) perform their calculations at the university or company computer center. Some 34% have computing facilities available to them on a time‐sharing basis, and about 7% have their own computer. In approaching their problems, how many of these physicists are devising novel techniques?

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More about the Authors

Barbara Goss Levi. PHYSICS TODAY.