Artificial Neural Networks as Trial Wave Functions for Quantum Monte Carlo

Abstract

Inspired by the universal approximation theorem and widespread adoption of artificial neural network techniques in a diversity of fields, we propose feed-forward neural networks as a general purpose trial wave function for quantum Monte Carlo simulations of continous many-body systems. Whereas for simple model systems the whole many-body wave function can be represented by a neural network, the antisymmetry condition of non-trivial fermionic systems is incorporated by means of a Slater determinant. To demonstrate the accuracy of our trial wave functions, we have studied an exactly solvable model system of two trapped interacting particles, as well as the hydrogen dimer.