Lattice computation of energy moments in canonical and Gaussian quantum statistics

Abstract

We derive a lattice approximation for a class of equilibrium quantum statistics describing the behaviour of any combination and number of bosonic and fermionic particles with any sufficiently binding potential. We then develop an intuitive Monte Carlo algorithm which can be used for the computation of expectation values in canonical and Gaussian ensembles and give lattice observables which will converge to the energy moments in the continuum limit. The focus of the discussion is two-fold: in the rigorous treatment of the continuum limit and in the physical meaning of the lattice approximation. In particular, it is shown how the concepts and intuition of classical physics can be applied in this sort of computation of quantum effects. We illustrate the use of the Monte Carlo methods by computing canonical energy moments and the Gaussian density of states for charged particles in a quadratic potential.