Convex optimization of contour deformations

Journal Article · 14 July 2024 · Physical Review. D.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.110.014508 · OSTI ID:2474389

Lawrence, Scott ; Yamauchi, Yukari

We discuss various formal aspects of contour deformations used to alleviate sign problems; most importantly, relating these contour deformations to a certain convex optimization problem. As a consequence of this connection we describe a general method for proving upper bounds on the average phase achievable by the contour deformation method. Using this method we show that Abelian lattice Yang-Mills in two spacetime dimensions possesses, for many values of the complex coupling, an exponential sign problem that cannot be removed via any contour deformation. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001; FG02-00ER41132; SC0017905
• OSTI ID: 2474389
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--23-29893; 014508
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D., Journal Name: Physical Review. D. Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 110; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 2470-0010
• Publisher: American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English