Simulations of Discrete Quantum Systems in Continuous Euclidean Time

Abstract

Path integrals are usually formulated in discrete Euclidean time using the Trotter formula. We propose a new method to study discrete quantum systems, in which we work directly in the Euclidean time continuum. The method is of general interest and can be applied to studies of quantum spin systems, lattice fermions, and in principle also lattice gauge theories. Here it is applied to the Heisenberg quantum antiferromagnet using a continuous-time version of a loop cluster algorithm. The computational advantage of this algorithm is exploited to confirm the predictions of chiral perturbation theory in the extreme low temperature regime, down to $T = 0.01 J$. A fit of the low-energy parameters of chiral perturbation theory gives excellent agreement with previous results and with experiments.