Abstract
The first path-integral calculations of the properties of a strongly correlated continuum fermion system are described. The paths are restricted to the region of phase space with a positive trial density matrix, thereby avoiding the fermion sign problem. This restriction is exact if the nodes of the trial density matrix are correctly placed, but otherwise gives a physically reasonable approximation generalizing the "fixed-node" approximation used at zero temperature. Computations show that restricting the walks with the noninteracting density matrix gives good results for liquid 3He above 1 K. Using imaginary-time-independent nodes or not allowing atomic exchange results in substantially poorer agreement with experimental energies.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 331-334 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Physical review letters |
Volume | 69 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1992 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy