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In recent years efficient algorithms have been developed for the numerical computation of relativistic single-particle path integrals in quantum field theory. Here, we adapt this "worldline Monte Carlo" approach to the standard problem of the numerical approximation of the non-relativistic path integral, resulting in a formalism whose characteristic feature is the fast, non-recursive generation of an ensemble of trajectories that is independent of the potential, and thus universally applicable. The numerical implementation discretises the trajectories with respect to their time parametrisation but maintains a continuous spatial domain. In the case of singular potentials, the discretised action gets adapted to the singularity through a "smoothing" procedure. We show for a variety of examples (the harmonic oscillator in various dimensions, the modified P\"oschl-Teller potential, delta-function potentials, the Coulomb and Yukawa potentials) that the method allows one to obtain fast and reliable estimates for the Euclidean propagator and use them in a certain time window suitable for extracting the ground state energy. As an aside, we apply it for studying the classical limit where nearly classical trajectories are expected to dominate in the path integral. We expect the advances made here to be useful also in the relativistic case., Comment: 51 + 13 pages. Many figures

The 2d O(3) model is widely used as a toy model for ferromagnetism and for Quantum Chromodynamics. With the latter it shares --- among other basic aspects --- the property that the continuum functional integral splits into topological sectors. Topology can also be defined in its lattice regularised version, but semi-classical arguments suggest that the topological susceptibility $\chi_{\rm t}$ does not scale towards a finite continuum limit. Previous numerical studies confirmed that the quantity $\chi_{\rm t}\, \xi^{2}$ diverges at large correlation length $\xi$. Here we investigate the question whether or not this divergence persists when the configurations are smoothened by the Gradient Flow (GF). The GF destroys part of the topological windings; on fine lattices this strongly reduces $\chi_{\rm t}$. However, even when the flow time is so long that the GF impact range --- or smoothing radius --- attains $\xi/2$, we do still not observe evidence of continuum scaling., Comment: 26 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables, final version to appear in Phys. Rev. D

Quantum simulations would be highly desirable in order to investigate the finite density physics of QCD. $(1+1)$-d $\mathbb{C}P(N-1)$ quantum field theories are toy models that share many important features of QCD: they are asymptotically free, have a non-perturbatively generated massgap, as well as $\theta$-vacua. $SU(N)$ quantum spin ladders provide an unconventional regularization of $\mathbb{C}P(N-1)$ models that is well-suited for quantum simulation with ultracold alkaline-earth atoms in an optical lattice. In order to validate future quantum simulation experiments of $\mathbb{C}P(2)$ models at finite density, here we use quantum Monte Carlo simulations on classical computers to investigate $SU(3)$ quantum spin ladders at non-zero chemical potential. This reveals a rich phase structure, with single- or double-species Bose-Einstein "condensates", with or without ferromagnetic order.

We study the impact of the Gradient Flow on the topology in various models of lattice field theory. The topological susceptibility $\chi_{\rm t}$ is measured directly, and by the slab method, which is based on the topological content of sub-volumes ("slabs") and estimates $\chi_{\rm t}$ even when the system remains trapped in a fixed topological sector. The results obtained by both methods are essentially consistent, but the impact of the Gradient Flow on the characteristic quantity of the slab method seems to be different in 2-flavour QCD and in the 2d O(3) model. In the latter model, we further address the question whether or not the Gradient Flow leads to a finite continuum limit of the topological susceptibility (rescaled by the correlation length squared, $\xi^{2}$). This ongoing study is based on direct measurements of $\chi_{\rm t}$ in $L \times L$ lattices, at $L/\xi \simeq 6$., Comment: 8 pages, LaTex, 5 figures, talk presented at the 35th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, June 18-24, 2017, Granada, Spain

The 2d Heisenberg model --- or 2d O(3) model --- is popular in condensed matter physics, and in particle physics as a toy model for QCD. Along with other analogies, it shares with 4d Yang-Mills theories, and with QCD, the property that the configurations are divided in topological sectors. In the lattice regularisation the topological charge $Q$ can still be defined such that $Q \in \mathbb{Z}$. It has generally been observed, however, that the topological susceptibility $\chi_{\rm t} = \langle Q^2 \rangle / V$ does not scale properly in the continuum limit, i.e. that the quantity $\chi_{\rm t} \xi^2$ diverges for $\xi \to \infty$ (where $\xi$ is the correlation length in lattice units). Here we address the question whether or not this divergence persists after the application of the Gradient Flow., Comment: 10 pages, LaTex, 7 figures, 2 tables, talk presented at the XXXI Reuni\'on Anual de la Divisi\'on de Part\'iculas y Campos de la Sociedad Mexicana de F\'isica (CINVESTAV, Mexico City)

We introduce two new integral transforms of the quantum mechanical transition kernel that represent physical information about the path integral. These transforms can be interpreted as probability distributions on particle trajectories measuring respectively the relative contribution to the path integral from paths crossing a given spatial point (the hit function) and the likelihood of values of the line integral of the potential along a path in the ensemble (the path averaged potential)., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, 2 appendices. Updated to published version

We study the ground state energy and the critical screening parameter of the Yukawa potential in non-relativistic quantum mechanics. After a short review of the existing literature on these quantities, we apply fifth-order perturbation theory to the calculation of the ground state energy, using the exact solutions of the Coulomb potential together with a cutoff on the principal number summations. We also perform a variational calculation of the ground state energy using a Coulomb-like radial wave function and the exact solution of the corresponding minimization condition. For not too large values of the screening parameter, close agreement is found between the perturbative and variational results. For the critical screening parameter, we devise a novel method that permits us to determine it to ten digits. This is the most precise calculation of this quantity to date, and allows us to resolve some discrepancies between previous results., Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures

The 2016 Physics Nobel Prize honors a variety of discoveries related to topological phases and phase transitions. Here we sketch two exciting facets: the groundbreaking works by John Kosterlitz and David Thouless on phase transitions of infinite order, and by Duncan Haldane on the energy gaps in quantum spin chains. These insights came as surprises in the 1970s and 1980s, respectively, and they have both initiated new fields of research in theoretical and experimental physics., Comment: 26 pages, 10 figures, minor corrections in Section 3, one reference added

Recently the simulation of quantum field theories using man-made physical systems has become realistic. In this publication we present numerical results which support the use of quantum simulation experiments to study quantum field theories at non-zero chemical potential. We have numerically simulated the (1+1)-d $\mathbb{C}$P(2) model, which shares several interesting features with QCD, namely asymptotic freedom, a dynamically generated mass gap and topological sectors, via dimensional reduction of a (2+1)-d microscopic theory of SU(3) quantum spins. Numerical results for the particle number density as a function of chemical potential are presented., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures. Presented at the 34th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, 24-30 July 2016, University of Southampton, UK; figure legend and acknowledgements updated

In simulations of a model with topological sectors, algorithms which proceed in small update steps tend to get stuck in one sector, especially on fine lattices. This distorts the numerical results; in particular it is not straightforward to measure the topological susceptibility chi_t. We test a method to measure chi_t even if configurations from only one sector are available. It is based on the topological charges in sub-volumes, which we denote as "slab". This enables the evaluation of chi_t, as we demonstrate with numerical results for non-linear sigma-models and for 2-flavour QCD. In the latter case, the gradient flow is applied for the smoothing of the gauge configurations, and the slab method results for chi_t are stable over a broad range of flow times., Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, talk presented at the 34th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, 24-30 July 2016, Southampton, UK. Minor corrections, references added, Fig. 5 replaced

For quantum field theories with topological sectors, Monte Carlo simulations on fine lattices tend to be obstructed by an extremely long auto-correlation time with respect to the topological charge. Then reliable numerical measurements are feasible only within individual sectors. The challenge is to assemble such restricted measurements in a way that leads to a substantiated approximation to the fully fledged result, which would correspond to the correct sampling over the entire set of configurations. We test an approach for such a topological summation, which was suggested by Brower, Chandrasekharan, Negele and Wiese. Under suitable conditions, energy levels and susceptibilities can be obtained to a good accuracy, as we demonstrate for O(N) models, SU(2) Yang-Mills theory, and for the Schwinger model., Comment: 43 pages, LaTex, 12 figures, 10 tables, an appendix and some references were added, final version published in Phys. Rev. D

In lattice quantum field theories with topological sectors, simulations at fine lattice spacings --- with typical algorithms --- tend to freeze topologically. In such cases, specific topological finite size effects have to be taken into account to obtain physical results, which correspond to infinite volume or unfixed topology. Moreover, when a theory like QCD is simulated in a moderate volume, one also has to overcome ordinary finite volume effects (not related to topology freezing). To extract physical results from simulations affected by both types of finite volume effects, we extend a known relation between hadron masses at fixed and unfixed topology by additionally incorporating ordinary finite volume effects. We present numerical results for SU(2) Yang-Mills theory., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. Talk presented at the 33rd International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice 2015), 14-18 July 2015, Kobe International Conference Center, Kobe, Japa

The 2d CP(N-1) models share a number of features with QCD, like asymptotic freedom, a dynamically generated mass gap and topological sectors. They have been formulated and analysed successfully in the framework of the so-called D-theory, which provides a smooth access to the continuum limit. In that framework, we propose an experimental set-up for the quantum simulation of the CP(2) model. It is based on ultra-cold Alkaline-Earth Atoms (AEAs) located on the sites of an optical lattice, where the nuclear spins represent the relevant degrees of freedom. We present numerical results for the correlation length and for the real time decay of a false vacuum, to be compared with such a future experiment. The latter could also enable the exploration of theta-vacua and of the phase diagram at finite chemical potentials, since it does not suffer from any sign problem., Comment: 7 pages, LaTex, 5 figures, contribution to the 33rd International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory

In quantum field theories with topological sectors, a non-perturbative quantity of interest is the topological susceptibility chi_t. In principle it seems straightforward to measure chi_t by means of Monte Carlo simulations. However, for local update algorithms and fine lattice spacings, this tends to be difficult, since the Monte Carlo history rarely changes the topological sector. Here we test a method to measure chi_t even if data from only one sector are available. It is based on the topological charges in sub-volumes, which we denote as slabs. Assuming a Gaussian distribution of these charges, this method enables the evaluation of chi_t, as we demonstrate with numerical results for non-linear sigma-models., Comment: 23 pages, 8 figures, 6 tables

Lattice QCD simulations tend to get stuck in a single topological sector at fine lattice spacing, or when using chirally symmetric quarks. In such cases computed observables differ from their full QCD counterparts by finite volume corrections, which need to be understood on a quantitative level. We extend a known relation from the literature between hadron masses at fixed and at unfixed topology by incorporating in addition to topological finite volume effects, also ordinary finite volume effects. We present numerical results for SU(2) Yang-Mills theory., Comment: 6 pages, presented at Excited QCD 2015: Tatra Lominska, Slovakia

For field theories with a topological charge Q, it is often of interest to measure the topological susceptibility chi_t = ( < Q^2 > - < Q >^2 ) / V. If we manage to perform a Monte Carlo simulation where Q changes frequently, chi_t can be evaluated directly. However, for local update algorithms and fine lattices, the auto-correlation time with respect to Q tends to be extremely long, which invalidates the direct approach. Nevertheless, the measurement of chi_t is still feasible, even when the entire Markov chain is topologically frozen. We test a method for this purpose, based on the correlation of the topological charge density, as suggested by Aoki, Fukaya, Hashimoto and Onogi. Our studies in non-linear sigma-models and in 2d Abelian gauge theory yield accurate results for chi_t, which confirm that the method is applicable. We also obtain promising results in 4d SU(2) Yang-Mills theory, which suggest the applicability of this method in QCD., Comment: 28 pages, LaTex, 13 figures, 3 tables, new results for 2d U(1) and 4d SU(2) gauge theory. Final version to be published in Phys. Rev. D

In Monte Carlo simulations with a local update algorithm, the auto-correlation with respect to the topological charge tends to become very long. In the extreme case one can only perform reliable measurements within fixed sectors. We investigate approaches to extract physical information from such topologically frozen simulations. Recent results in a set of sigma-models and gauge theories are encouraging. In a suitable regime, the correct value of some observable can be evaluated to a good accuracy. In addition there are ways to estimate the value of the topological susceptibility., Comment: 7 pages, LaTex, 4 figures, 1 table. Talk presented at the 32nd International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, 23-28 June, 2014, Columbia University, NY

We consider models with topological sectors, and difficulties with their Monte Carlo simulation. In particular we are concerned with the situation where a simulation has an extremely long auto-correlation time with respect to the topological charge. Then reliable numerical measurements are possible only within single topological sectors. The challenge is to assemble such restricted measurements to obtain an approximation for the full-fledged result, which corresponds to the correct sampling over the entire set of configurations. Under certain conditions this is possible, and it provides in addition an estimate for the topological susceptibility chi_t. Moreover, the evaluation of chi_t might be feasible even from data in just one topological sector, based on the correlation of the topological charge density. Here we present numerical test results for these techniques in the framework of non-linear sigma-models., Comment: 8 pages, LaTex, 6 figures, 2 tables. Poster presented at the XIV Mexican Workshop on Particles and Fields, Oaxaca, November 2013

We investigate the 2d XY model by using the constraint angle action, which belongs to the class of topological lattice actions. These actions violate important features usually demanded for a lattice action, such as the correct classical continuum limit and the applicability of perturbation theory. Nevertheless, they still lead to the same universal quantum continuum limit and show excellent scaling behavior. By using the constraint angle action we gain new insight into the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition of the 2d XY model. This phase transition is of special interest since it is one of the few examples of a phase transition beyond second order. It is of infinite order and therefore an essential phase transition. In particular, we observe an excellent scaling behavior of the helicity modulus, which characterizes this phase transition. We also observe that the mechanism of (un)binding vortex--anti-vortex pairs follows the usual pattern, although free vortices do not require any energy in the formulation of the 2d XY model using the constraint angle action., Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, talk presented at the XIV Mexican Workshop on Particles and Fields, Oaxaca, Nov. 2013

A variety of lattice discretisations of continuum actions has been considered, usually requiring the correct classical continuum limit. Here we discuss "weird" lattice formulations without that property, namely lattice actions that are invariant under most continuous deformations of the field configuration, in one version even without any coupling constants. It turns out that universality is powerful enough to still provide the correct quantum continuum limit, despite the absence of a classical limit, or a perturbative expansion. We demonstrate this for a set of O(N) models (or non-linear $\sigma$-models). Amazingly, such "weird" lattice actions are not only in the right universality class, but some of them even have practical benefits, in particular an excellent scaling behaviour., Comment: 7 pages, LaTex, 4 figures, 1 table, talk presented at the 31st Symposium on Lattice Field Theory

The 2d XY model exhibits an essential phase transition, which was predicted long ago --- by Berezinskii, Kosterlitz and Thouless (BKT) --- to be driven by the (un)binding of vortex--anti-vortex pairs. This transition has been confirmed for the standard lattice action, and for actions with distinct couplings, in agreement with universality. Here we study a highly unconventional formulation of this model, which belongs to the class of topological lattice actions: it does not have any couplings at all, but just a constraint for the relative angles between nearest neighbour spins. By means of dynamical boundary conditions we measure the helicity modulus Upsilon, which shows that this formulation performs a BKT phase transition as well. Its finite size effects are amazingly mild, in contrast to other lattice actions. This provides one of the most precise numerical confirmations ever of a BKT transition in this model. On the other hand, up to the lattice sizes that we explored, there are deviations from the spin wave approximation, for instance for the Binder cumulant U_4 and for the leading finite size correction to Upsilon. Finally we observe that the (un)binding mechanism follows the usual pattern, although free vortices do not require any energy in this formulation. Due to that observation, one should reconsider an aspect of the established picture, which estimates the critical temperature based on this energy requirement., Comment: 39 pages, LaTex, 17 figures, 5 tables, final version to appear in JSTAT (Journal of Statistical Mechanics: Theory and Experiment). A section about the Binder cumulant U_4 and the second moment correlation lenght xi_2 has been added