The Feynman Path Goes Monte Carlo

Abstract

Path integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) simulations have become an important tool for the investigation of the statistical mechanics of quantum systems. I discuss some of the history of applying the Monte Carlo method to non-relativistic quantum systems in path-integral representation. The principle feasibility of the method was well established by the early eighties, a number of algorithmic improvements have been introduced in the last two decades.

12 pp. Latex. To appear in: Fluctuating Particles and Fields. Eds. W. Janke et al., World Scientific, Singapore 2001