This volume collects the contributions! to the NATO Advanced Study
Institute (ASI) held in Aussois (France) by March 25 - April 5, 1991.
This NATO ASI was intended to present and illustrate recent advances in
computer simulation techniques applied to the study of materials science
problems. Introductory lectures have been devoted to classical
simulations with special reference to recent technical improvements, in
view of their application to complex systems (glasses, molecular systems
. . . ). Several other lectures and seminars focused on the methods of
elaboration of interatomic potentials and to a critical presentation of
quantum simulation techniques. On the other hand, seminars and poster
sessions offered the opportunity to discuss the results of a great
variety of simulation studies dealing with materials and complex
systems. We hope that these proceedings will be of some help for those
interested in simulations of material properties. The scientific
committee advises have been of crucial importance in determining the
conference program. The directors of the ASI express their gratitude to
the colleagues who have participated to the committee: Y. Adda, A.
Bellemans, G. BIeris, J. Castaing, C. R. A. Catlow, G. Ciccotti, J.
Friedel, M. Gillan, J. P. Hansen, M. L. Klein, G. Martin, S. Nose, L.
Rull-Fernandez, J. Valleau, J. Villain. The main financial support has
been provided by the NATO Scientific Affairs Division and the Commission
of European Communities (plan Science).