Rare Event Sampling Methods

With continuously increasing available computer power, complex numerical models have become indispensable tools in various branches of science. However, if we consider very rare events, even the most powerful computer may only be able to generate a few realizations. Nevertheless, such events can have a very strong impact and are, therefore, of great interest. The challenges and opportunities arising in the interdisciplinary eort to eciently sample rare events are the central topic of this Focus Issue. The contributed articles consider, for example, the development of new algorithms for sampling rare events, their utility in applications, and the analysis of their eciency.