A new class of variance reduction techniques using lattice symmetries

Abstract

We present a general class of unbiased improved estimators for physical observables in lattice gauge theory computations which significantly reduces statistical errors at modest computational cost. The error reduction techniques, referred to as covariant approximation averaging, utilize approximations which are covariant under lattice symmetry transformations. We observed cost reductions from the new method compared to the traditional one, for fixed statistical error, of 16 times for the nucleon mass at $M_\pi\sim 330$ MeV (Domain-Wall quark) and 2.6-20 times for the hadronic vacuum polarization at $M_\pi\sim 480$ MeV (Asqtad quark). These cost reductions should improve with decreasing quark mass and increasing lattice sizes.