A new Monte Carlo method for quantum spins is described. The spin Hamiltonian is mapped onto a model of bosons, which may then be studied by a path-integral formalism. The power of this mapping comes from the fact that, by letting the system evolve through unphysical spin states between time slices, we obtain simple expressions for the needed matrix elements. The method is illustrated by measuring the energy and correlation functions for a spin-\textonehalf{} ring as well as the specific heat for the two-dimensional $\mathrm{XY}$ model.A new Monte Carlo method for quantum spins is described. The spin Hamiltonian is mapped onto a model of bosons, which may then be studied by a path-integral formalism. The power of this mapping comes from the fact that, by letting the system evolve through unphysical spin states between time slices, we obtain simple expressions for the needed matrix elements. The method is illustrated by measuring the energy and correlation functions for a spin-\textonehalf{} ring as well as the specific heat for the two-dimensional $\mathrm{XY}$ model.

Physical Review LettersNov 25, 19854 citations

A Quantum Monte Carlo Method for the Heisenberg Spin System

J. W. Lyklema

Springer eBooksJan 1, 19841 citation

\mathrm{XY}

model.