Fermion Monte Carlo

Conference · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4792-7_10· OSTI ID:3386

Kalos, M H ^[1]; Pederiva, F

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1. LLNL

We review the fundamental challenge of fermion Monte Carlo for continuous systems, the "sign problem". We seek that eigenfunction of the many-body Schriodinger equation that is antisymmetric under interchange of the coordinates of pairs of particles. We describe methods that depend upon the use of correlated dynamics for pairs of correlated walkers that carry opposite signs. There is an algorithmic symmetry between such walkers that must be broken to create a method that is both exact and as effective as for symmetric functions, In our new method, it is broken by using different "guiding" functions for walkers of opposite signs, and a geometric correlation between steps of their walks, With a specific process of cancellation of the walkers, overlaps with antisymmetric test functions are preserved. Finally, we describe the progress in treating free-fermion systems and a fermion fluid with 14 ³He atoms.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Defense Programs (DP)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 3386
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC-132583; DP0101031; ON: DE00003386
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
Fermions
Many-Body Problem
Monte Carlo Method