Results from Shell Model Monte Carlo Studies

Abstract

We review results obtained using Shell Model Monte Carlo (SMMC) techniques. These methods reduce the imaginary-time many-body evolution operator to a coherent superposition of one-body evolutions in fluctuating one-body fields; the resultant path integral is evaluated stochastically. After a brief review of the methods, we discuss a variety of nuclear physics applications. These include studies of the ground-state properties of pf-shell nuclei, Gamow-Teller strength distributions, thermal and rotational pairing properties of nuclei near N=Z, $γ$-soft nuclei, and $ββ$-decay in ^{76}Ge. Several other illustrative calculations are also reviewed. Finally, we discuss prospects for further progress in SMMC and related calculations.