Revista Mexicana de Física
The density matrix renormalization group: a new approach to large-scale nuclear structure calculations
Stuart Pittel, J. Dukelsky
Abstract
A new approach to large-scale nuclear structure calculations, based on the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG), is described. The DMRG method, which was developed originally in the framework of low-dimensional quantum lattices, has recently been extended to finite Fermi systems. Following a general description of this extended DMRG methodology, we briefly review its first application to a pairing hamiltonian. We then discuss its application to a schematic nuclear model involving many identical nucleons constrained to move in a single large-j shell. In those cases in which exact diagonalization of the hamiltonian is possible, the method is able to reproduce the exact results with extreme precision. Results are also presented for a model problem in which exact solution is not feasible.