The Monte Carlo method has been used for over forty years to solve almost all problems in radiation transport associated with shielding, nuclear reactors, medical equipment, and other similar applications. The success of the method is based on its broad application field, accuracy in modeling complicated geometries, ability to handle complicated data, and flexibility. For many years, the widespread implementation of the Monte Carlo method was limited because of the computational requirements and because the early Monte Carlo codes required expert knowledge by a specialist in the technique for successful application to a problem.

Bernie Kirk

Computational requirement limitations have now been substantially eliminated through the significant developments of powerful processors and computing architectures available to the analysts today. Parallel processors, networked systems, and large-scale implementation of data transfer technologies have broadened the applicability of the Monte Carlo method. The development of more user-friendly interfaces, geometry model generation tools, and pre- and post-analysis visualization techniques have facilitated the use of the Monte Carlo method by non-specialists. The over-riding result of these advancements has been the strengthening of the method in the traditional radiation transport domain and applications, and also the broadening of the development and application of the Monte Carlo method to other non-nuclear domains.

This meeting will highlight the growth of the Monte Carlo method from both the methods and data development aspect as well as the growth in applications. The conference theme is “The Monte Carlo Method:  Versatility Unbounded In A Dynamic Computing World”. Within this theme, the wording captures the essence of what this conference is striving to capture. Versatility encompasses the flexibility of the method in both application and in computer architecture. Unbounded captures the perceived unlimited growth potential.  Dynamic captures all aspects of the present computing environment (serial and parallel) as well as the rapidly changing future environment. Through the papers, and presentations, this conference will demonstrate these qualities of the Monte Carlo method.

The conference format will have a short plenary session every morning. This session will highlight a methods development or data paper and an application paper for each of the major areas of Monte Carlo physics. These papers will all be invited and address the exciting advancements and applications of the methodology. The topics for the plenary series were selected to provide a broad coverage of the major areas of research in Monte Carlo method physics and applications going on today. Topic areas under consideration include: (1) High Energy Transport, (2) Neutral Particle Transport, (3) Electron Transport, and (4) Heavy Ion Transport. The Plenary papers and authors are still being determined at this time. After the plenary, there will be a short break and start of the morning technical sessions (regular and special). Afternoon sessions will be of the standard format beginning just after lunch. Depending on the number of papers submitted, a poster session may be required.