An Introduction to Quantum Monte Carlo Methods

In nearly a century, we have witnessed a steady progress in the computational study of scientific problems. Now, many complex issues in all the technical fields are analyzed and tackled on computers. New paradigms of global-scale computing have emerged, such as the cloud or grid computing. Computers are faster and bigger than ever and come with many more functionalities and applications. There has never been a better time to study scientific problems on computers. Among all the computer techniques used in scientific studies, Monte Carlo approach appears to be most prominent. This book provides a concise but complete introduction to two computer simulation methods, the diffusion quantum Monte Carlo and the path-integral quantum Monte Carlo, primarily used in the research of the many-body problem. There is no assumption of previous experience in computer simulation of the readers but a minimum knowledge of physics typically possessed by an upper-division student or a beginning graduate in physics. To make this book practical, two complete programs in Java, one for the diffusion quantum Monte Carlo simulation of ⁴He clusters on the graphite surface and the other for the path-integral quantum Monte Carlo simulation of the cold atoms in a potential trap, are ready to be downloaded and altered for any research project that the reader wants. These programs will be maintained and improved over time. There will also be additions to the existing programs and they are all accessible at www.physics.unlv.edu/~pang.