A Comprehensive Study of the $^3$He-He II Sandwich System Using Monte Carlo Techniques

Abstract

We present a numerical investigation of the thermal and structural properties of the $^3$He-He II sandwich system adsorbed on a graphite substrate using the Worm Algorithm Quantum Monte Carlo (WAQMC) method (Boninsegni et al., Phys. Rev. E 74, 036701 (2006)). For this purpose, we modified a previously written WAQMC code originally adapted for $^4$He on graphite, by including the second $^3$He-component. In order to describe the fermions, a temperature-dependent statistical potential was used which proved very effective. To the best of our knowledge, the statistical potential has not been used before in Quantum Monte Carlo techniques for describing fermions. In an unprecedented task, the WAQMC calculations were conducted in the milli-Kelvin temperature regime. However, because of the heavy computations involved, only 30, 40, and 50 mK were considered for the time being. The pair correlations, Matsubara Green's function, structure factor, and density profiles were explored at theses temperatures. (Note: this paper is just a preliminary version and will be replaced by an updated version.