Many theoretical physicists study the fundamental constituents of matter using an approach known as Lattice Quantum Chromo-Dynamics (QCD), which involves very computationally expensive Monte Carlo simulations of discretized models of QCD.

Because this simulation data is so expensive to generate, the International Lattice Data Grid (ILDG) project was instigated, to enable researchers to share Lattice QCD data files generated by major research groups around the world (including groups in the US, UK, Japan, Germany, Italy, France, and Australia). The ILDG has defined standard data formats and interfaces to data access services that enable a number of widely distributed data repositories to function as a global federated data repository. This is similar to many large international data grid projects, which usually focus on sharing experimental data.

Here we provide an overview of the ILDG project and our experiences in setting up an Australian ILDG repository to provide access to data from the Centre for the Subatomic Structure of Matter (CSSM), a Lattice QCD research group based at the University of Adelaide. The CSSM is one of the largest users of SAPAC supercomputer facilities and the ARCS National Facility.

Here is the link to the ILDG portal.

-- ShundeZhang - 07 Feb 2008