Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:cond-mat/0306542 · AIP conference proceedings

The Directed-Loop Algorithm

Anders W. Sandvik

Published Jan 1, 2003• 7 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The directed‐loop scheme is a framework for generalized loop‐type updates in quantum Monte Carlo, applicable both to world‐line and stochastic series expansion methods. Here, the directed‐loop equations, the solution of which gives the probabilities of the various loop‐building steps, are discussed in the context of the anisotropic S = 1/2 Heisenberg model in a uniform magnetic field. This example shows how the directed‐loop concept emerges as a natural generalization of the conventional loop algorithm, where the loops are selfavoiding, to cases where selfintersection must be allowed in order to satisfy detailed balance.

DOI
10.1063/1.1632141

Related papers

Quantum Monte Carlo with directed loops

Olav F. Syljuåsen, Anders W. Sandvik

We introduce the concept of directed loops in stochastic series expansion and path-integral quantum Monte Carlo methods. Using the detailed balance rules for directed loops, we show that it is possible to smoothly connect generally applicable simulation schemes (in which it is necessary to include backtracking processes in the loop construction) to more restricted loop algorithms that can be constructed only for a limited range of Hamiltonians (where backtracking can be avoided). The "algorithmic discontinuities" between general and special points (or regions) in parameter space can hence be eliminated. As a specific example, we consider the anisotropic S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet in an external magnetic field. We show that directed-loop simulations are very efficient for the full range of magnetic fields (zero to the saturation point) and anisotropies. In particular, for weak fields and anisotropies, the autocorrelations are significantly reduced relative to those of previous approaches. The back-tracking probability vanishes continuously as the isotropic Heisenberg point is approached. For the XY model, we show that back tracking can be avoided for all fields extending up to the saturation field. The method is hence particularly efficient in this case. We use directed-loop simulations to study the magnetization process in the two-dimensional Heisenberg model at very low temperatures. For LxL lattices with L up to 64, we utilize the step structure in the magnetization curve to extract gaps between different spin sectors. Finite-size scaling of the gaps gives an accurate estimate of the transverse susceptibility in the thermodynamic limit: chi( perpendicular )=0.0659+/-0.0002.

arXiv:cond-mat/0202316•Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics•Oct 2, 2002•825 citations

Generalized directed loop method for quantum Monte Carlo simulations

Fabien Alet, Stefan Weßel, Matthias Troyer

Efficient quantum Monte Carlo update schemes called directed loops have recently been proposed, which improve the efficiency of simulations of quantum lattice models. We propose to generalize the detailed balance equations at the local level during the loop construction by accounting for the matrix elements of the operators associated with open world-line segments. Using linear programming techniques to solve the generalized equations, we look for optimal construction schemes for directed loops. This also allows for an extension of the directed loop scheme to general lattice models, such as high-spin or bosonic models. The resulting algorithms are bounce free in larger regions of parameter space than the original directed loop algorithm. The generalized directed loop method is applied to the magnetization process of spin chains in order to compare its efficiency to that of previous directed loop schemes. In contrast to general expectations, we find that minimizing bounces alone does not always lead to more efficient algorithms in terms of autocorrelations of physical observables, because of the nonuniqueness of the bounce-free solutions. We therefore propose different general strategies to further minimize autocorrelations, which can be used as supplementary requirements in any directed loop scheme. We show by calculating autocorrelation times for different observables that such strategies indeed lead to improved efficiency; however, we find that the optimal strategy depends not only on the model parameters but also on the observable of interest.

arXiv:cond-mat/0308495•Physical Review E•Mar 22, 2005•244 citations

Stochastic series expansion method with operator-loop update

Anders W. Sandvik

A cluster update (the ``operator loop'') is developed within the framework of a numerically exact quantum Monte Carlo method based on the power series expansion of $\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\beta}H)$ (stochastic series expansion). The method is generally applicable to a wide class of lattice Hamiltonians for which the expansion is positive definite. For some important models the operator-loop algorithm is more efficient than loop updates previously developed for ``worldline'' simulations. The method is here tested on a two-dimensional anisotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnet in a magnetic field.

arXiv:cond-mat/9902226•Physical review. B, Condensed matter•Jun 1, 1999•747 citations

Improved directed loop method for Quantum Monte Carlo simulations

Fabien Alet

Efficient schemes called directed loops for cluster updates in Quantum Monte Carlo simulations have recently been proposed, which improve both the efficiency and precision for simulations of quantum models. In this work we show that local detailed balance is not necessary in order to fulfill global detailed balance during the construction of these loops. We therefore propose to insert additional degrees of freedom into the directed loop equations, resulting in even more efficient algorithms. Our approach works directly in the natural representation of an extended space where the matrix elements of the operators defining the worm (broken worldline segments) are taken into account.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 2003•0 citations

Deterministic Loop Stochastic Series Expansion Algorithm for Quantum Spin Models in Magnetic Fields

Liuyun Dao, Yan-Cheng Wang, Hui Shao

The stochastic series expansion (SSE) algorithm is one of the most powerful quantum Monte Carlo methods and has been extensively applied to the study of quantum many body systems. Its efficiency is particularly enhanced with a deterministic loop update scheme in the study of the S=1/2 quantum spin systems that preserve SU(2) spin rotational symmetry. Once the symmetry is broken, such as by an external field, a directed loop method is typically required, resulting in a significant reduction in efficiency. Inspired by the SSE approach developed for the quantum Ising model, we introduce a deterministic loop SSE method that is particularly suited for antiferromagnetic systems under a staggered magnetic field. This method enables separate investigations of longitudinal and transverse modes in magnetically ordered phases arising from spontaneous symmetry breaking. We benchmark the performance of our algorithm against the standard directed loop approach applied to the antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain and demonstrate that our method substantially reduces CPU time per Monte Carlo step, thereby can outperform the directed loop algorithm in efficiency.

arXiv:2604.04635•Apr 6, 2026•0 citations

Directed-Loop Quantum Monte Carlo Method for Retarded Interactions

Manuel Weber, Fakher F. Assaad, Martin Hohenadler

The directed-loop quantum Monte Carlo method is generalized to the case of retarded interactions. Using the path integral, fermion-boson or spin-boson models are mapped to actions with retarded interactions by analytically integrating out the bosons. This yields an exact algorithm that combines the highly efficient loop updates available in the stochastic series expansion representation with the advantages of avoiding a direct sampling of the bosons. The application to electron-phonon models reveals that the method overcomes the previously detrimental issues of long autocorrelation times and exponentially decreasing acceptance rates. For example, the resulting dramatic speedup allows us to investigate the Peierls quantum phase transition on chains of up to 1282 sites.

arXiv:1704.07913•Physical Review Letters•Aug 31, 2017•19 citations
The directed‐loop scheme is a framework for generalized loop‐type updates in quantum Monte Carlo, applicable both to world‐line and stochastic series expansion methods. Here, the directed‐loop equations, the solution of which gives the probabilities of the various loop‐building steps, are discussed in the context of the anisotropic S = 1/2 Heisenberg model in a uniform magnetic field. This example shows how the directed‐loop concept emerges as a natural generalization of the conventional loop algorithm, where the loops are selfavoiding, to cases where selfintersection must be allowed in order to satisfy detailed balance.
We introduce the concept of directed loops in stochastic series expansion and path-integral quantum Monte Carlo methods. Using the detailed balance rules for directed loops, we show that it is possible to smoothly connect generally applicable simulation schemes (in which it is necessary to include backtracking processes in the loop construction) to more restricted loop algorithms that can be constructed only for a limited range of Hamiltonians (where backtracking can be avoided). The "algorithmic discontinuities" between general and special points (or regions) in parameter space can hence be eliminated. As a specific example, we consider the anisotropic S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet in an external magnetic field. We show that directed-loop simulations are very efficient for the full range of magnetic fields (zero to the saturation point) and anisotropies. In particular, for weak fields and anisotropies, the autocorrelations are significantly reduced relative to those of previous approaches. The back-tracking probability vanishes continuously as the isotropic Heisenberg point is approached. For the XY model, we show that back tracking can be avoided for all fields extending up to the saturation field. The method is hence particularly efficient in this case. We use directed-loop simulations to study the magnetization process in the two-dimensional Heisenberg model at very low temperatures. For LxL lattices with L up to 64, we utilize the step structure in the magnetization curve to extract gaps between different spin sectors. Finite-size scaling of the gaps gives an accurate estimate of the transverse susceptibility in the thermodynamic limit: chi( perpendicular )=0.0659+/-0.0002.
Efficient quantum Monte Carlo update schemes called directed loops have recently been proposed, which improve the efficiency of simulations of quantum lattice models. We propose to generalize the detailed balance equations at the local level during the loop construction by accounting for the matrix elements of the operators associated with open world-line segments. Using linear programming techniques to solve the generalized equations, we look for optimal construction schemes for directed loops. This also allows for an extension of the directed loop scheme to general lattice models, such as high-spin or bosonic models. The resulting algorithms are bounce free in larger regions of parameter space than the original directed loop algorithm. The generalized directed loop method is applied to the magnetization process of spin chains in order to compare its efficiency to that of previous directed loop schemes. In contrast to general expectations, we find that minimizing bounces alone does not always lead to more efficient algorithms in terms of autocorrelations of physical observables, because of the nonuniqueness of the bounce-free solutions. We therefore propose different general strategies to further minimize autocorrelations, which can be used as supplementary requirements in any directed loop scheme. We show by calculating autocorrelation times for different observables that such strategies indeed lead to improved efficiency; however, we find that the optimal strategy depends not only on the model parameters but also on the observable of interest.
A cluster update (the ``operator loop'') is developed within the framework of a numerically exact quantum Monte Carlo method based on the power series expansion of $\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\beta}H)$ (stochastic series expansion). The method is generally applicable to a wide class of lattice Hamiltonians for which the expansion is positive definite. For some important models the operator-loop algorithm is more efficient than loop updates previously developed for ``worldline'' simulations. The method is here tested on a two-dimensional anisotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnet in a magnetic field.
Efficient schemes called directed loops for cluster updates in Quantum Monte Carlo simulations have recently been proposed, which improve both the efficiency and precision for simulations of quantum models. In this work we show that local detailed balance is not necessary in order to fulfill global detailed balance during the construction of these loops. We therefore propose to insert additional degrees of freedom into the directed loop equations, resulting in even more efficient algorithms. Our approach works directly in the natural representation of an extended space where the matrix elements of the operators defining the worm (broken worldline segments) are taken into account.
The stochastic series expansion (SSE) algorithm is one of the most powerful quantum Monte Carlo methods and has been extensively applied to the study of quantum many body systems. Its efficiency is particularly enhanced with a deterministic loop update scheme in the study of the S=1/2 quantum spin systems that preserve SU(2) spin rotational symmetry. Once the symmetry is broken, such as by an external field, a directed loop method is typically required, resulting in a significant reduction in efficiency. Inspired by the SSE approach developed for the quantum Ising model, we introduce a deterministic loop SSE method that is particularly suited for antiferromagnetic systems under a staggered magnetic field. This method enables separate investigations of longitudinal and transverse modes in magnetically ordered phases arising from spontaneous symmetry breaking. We benchmark the performance of our algorithm against the standard directed loop approach applied to the antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain and demonstrate that our method substantially reduces CPU time per Monte Carlo step, thereby can outperform the directed loop algorithm in efficiency.
The directed-loop quantum Monte Carlo method is generalized to the case of retarded interactions. Using the path integral, fermion-boson or spin-boson models are mapped to actions with retarded interactions by analytically integrating out the bosons. This yields an exact algorithm that combines the highly efficient loop updates available in the stochastic series expansion representation with the advantages of avoiding a direct sampling of the bosons. The application to electron-phonon models reveals that the method overcomes the previously detrimental issues of long autocorrelation times and exponentially decreasing acceptance rates. For example, the resulting dramatic speedup allows us to investigate the Peierls quantum phase transition on chains of up to 1282 sites.