The fermion bag approach to lattice field theories

We propose a new approach to the fermion sign problem in systems where there is a coupling $U$ such that when it is infinite the fermions are paired into bosons and there is no fermion permutation sign to worry about. We argue that as $U$ becomes finite fermions are liberated but are naturally confined to regions which we refer to as {\em fermion bags}. The fermion sign problem is then confined to these bags and may be solved using the determinantal trick. In the parameter regime where the fermion bags are small and their typical size does not grow with the system size, construction of Monte Carlo methods that are far more efficient than conventional algorithms should be possible. In the region where the fermion bags grow with system size, the fermion bag approach continues to provide an alternative approach to the problem but may lose its main advantage in terms of efficiency. The fermion bag approach also provides new insights and solutions to sign problems. A natural solution to the "silver blaze problem" also emerges. Using the three dimensional massless lattice Thirring model as an example we introduce the fermion bag approach and demonstrate some of these features. We compute the critical exponents at the quantum phase transition and find $\nu=0.87(2)$ and $\eta=0.62(2)$.Comment: 31 pages, 9 figures, 5 table

Solution of the Complex Action Problem in the Potts Model for Dense QCD

Monte Carlo simulations of lattice QCD at non-zero baryon chemical potential $\mu$ suffer from the notorious complex action problem. We consider QCD with static quarks coupled to a large chemical potential. This leaves us with an SU(3) Yang-Mills theory with a complex action containing the Polyakov loop. Close to the deconfinement phase transition the qualitative features of this theory, in particular its Z(3) symmetry properties, are captured by the 3-d 3-state Potts model. We solve the complex action problem in the Potts model by using a cluster algorithm. The improved estimator for the $\mu$-dependent part of the Boltzmann factor is real and positive and is used for importance sampling. We localize the critical endpoint of the first order deconfinement phase transition line and find consistency with universal 3-d Ising behavior. We also calculate the static quark-quark, quark-anti-quark, and anti-quark-anti-quark potentials which show screening as expected for a system with non-zero baryon density.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figure

From Spin Ladders to the 2-d O(3) Model at Non-Zero Density

The numerical simulation of various field theories at non-zero chemical potential suffers from severe complex action problems. In particular, QCD at non-zero quark density can presently not be simulated for that reason. A similar complex action problem arises in the 2-d O(3) model -- a toy model for QCD. Here we construct the 2-d O(3) model at non-zero density via dimensional reduction of an antiferromagnetic quantum spin ladder in a magnetic field. The complex action problem of the 2-d O(3) model manifests itself as a sign problem of the ladder system. This sign problem is solved completely with a meron-cluster algorithm.Comment: Based on a talk by U.-J. Wiese, 6 pages, 12 figures, to be published in computer physics communication

Meron-Cluster Approach to Systems of Strongly Correlated Electrons

Numerical simulations of strongly correlated electron systems suffer from the notorious fermion sign problem which has prevented progress in understanding if systems like the Hubbard model display high-temperature superconductivity. Here we show how the fermion sign problem can be solved completely with meron-cluster methods in a large class of models of strongly correlated electron systems, some of which are in the extended Hubbard model family and show s-wave superconductivity. In these models we also find that on-site repulsion can even coexist with a weak chemical potential without introducing sign problems. We argue that since these models can be simulated efficiently using cluster algorithms they are ideal for studying many of the interesting phenomena in strongly correlated electron systems.Comment: 36 Pages, 13 figures, plain Late

Meron-cluster algorithms and chiral symmetry breaking in a (2+1)-d staggered fermion model

The recently developed Meron-Cluster algorithm completely solves the exponentially difficult sign problem for a number of models previously inaccessible to numerical simulation. We use this algorithm in a high-precision study of a model of N=1 flavor of staggered fermions in (2+1)-dimensions with a four-fermion interaction. This model cannot be explored using standard algorithms. We find that the Z(2) chiral symmetry of this model is spontaneously broken at low temperatures and that the finite-temperature chiral phase transition is in the universality class of the 2-d Ising model, as expected.Comment: 18 pages, LaTe

An Introduction to Chiral Symmetry on the Lattice

The $SU(N_f)_L \otimes SU(N_f)_R$ chiral symmetry of QCD is of central importance for the nonperturbative low-energy dynamics of light quarks and gluons. Lattice field theory provides a theoretical framework in which these dynamics can be studied from first principles. The implementation of chiral symmetry on the lattice is a nontrivial issue. In particular, local lattice fermion actions with the chiral symmetry of the continuum theory suffer from the fermion doubling problem. The Ginsparg-Wilson relation implies L\"uscher's lattice variant of chiral symmetry which agrees with the usual one in the continuum limit. Local lattice fermion actions that obey the Ginsparg-Wilson relation have an exact chiral symmetry, the correct axial anomaly, they obey a lattice version of the Atiyah-Singer index theorem, and still they do not suffer from the notorious doubling problem. The Ginsparg-Wilson relation is satisfied exactly by Neuberger's overlap fermions which are a limit of Kaplan's domain wall fermions, as well as by Hasenfratz and Niedermayer's classically perfect lattice fermion actions. When chiral symmetry is nonlinearly realized in effective field theories on the lattice, the doubling problem again does not arise. This review provides an introduction to chiral symmetry on the lattice with an emphasis on the basic theoretical framework.Comment: (41 pages, to be published in Prog. Part. Nucl. Phys. Vol. 53, issue 1 (2004)

Modeling pion physics in the ϵ\epsilon-regime of two-flavor QCD using strong coupling lattice QED

In order to model pions of two-flavor QCD we consider a lattice field theory involving two flavors of staggered quarks interacting strongly with U(1) gauge fields. For massless quarks, this theory has an $SU_L(2)\times SU_R(2) \times U_A(1)$ symmetry. By adding a four-fermion term we can break the U_A(1) symmetry and thus incorporate the physics of the QCD anomaly. We can also tune the pion decay constant F, to be small compared to the lattice cutoff by starting with an extra fictitious dimension, thus allowing us to model low energy pion physics in a setting similar to lattice QCD from first principles. However, unlike lattice QCD, a major advantage of our model is that we can easily design efficient algorithms to compute a variety of quantities in the chiral limit. Here we show that the model reproduces the predictions of chiral perturbation theory in the $\epsilon$-regime.Comment: 24 pages, 7 figure

Meron-Cluster Simulation of a Chiral Phase Transition with Staggered Fermions

We examine a (3+1)-dimensional model of staggered lattice fermions with a four-fermion interaction and Z(2) chiral symmetry using the Hamiltonian formulation. This model cannot be simulated with standard fermion algorithms because those suffer from a very severe sign problem. We use a new fermion simulation technique - the meron-cluster algorithm - which solves the sign problem and leads to high-precision numerical data. We investigate the finite temperature chiral phase transition and verify that it is in the universality class of the 3-d Ising model using finite-size scaling.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figure

Green's Functions from Quantum Cluster Algorithms

We show that cluster algorithms for quantum models have a meaning independent of the basis chosen to construct them. Using this idea, we propose a new method for measuring with little effort a whole class of Green's functions, once a cluster algorithm for the partition function has been constructed. To explain the idea, we consider the quantum XY model and compute its two point Green's function in various ways, showing that all of them are equivalent. We also provide numerical evidence confirming the analytic arguments. Similar techniques are applicable to other models. In particular, in the recently constructed quantum link models, the new technique allows us to construct improved estimators for Wilson loops and may lead to a very precise determination of the glueball spectrum.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX, with four figures. Added preprint numbe