No Arabic abstract
The fermion bag approach is a new method to tackle fermion sign problems in lattice field theories. Using this approach it is possible to solve a class of sign problems that seem unsolvable by traditional methods. The new solutions emerge when partition functions are written in terms of fermion bags and bosonic worldlines. In these new variables it is possible to identify hidden pairing mechanisms which lead to the solutions. The new solutions allow us for the first time to use Monte Carlo methods to solve a variety of interesting lattice field theories, thus creating new opportunities for understanding strongly correlated fermion systems.
We propose a new approach to the fermion sign problem in systems where there is a coupling $U$ such that when it is infinite the fermions are paired into bosons and there is no fermion permutation sign to worry about. We argue that as $U$ becomes finite fermions are liberated but are naturally confined to regions which we refer to as {em fermion bags}. The fermion sign problem is then confined to these bags and may be solved using the determinantal trick. In the parameter regime where the fermion bags are small and their typical size does not grow with the system size, construction of Monte Carlo methods that are far more efficient than conventional algorithms should be possible. In the region where the fermion bags grow with system size, the fermion bag approach continues to provide an alternative approach to the problem but may lose its main advantage in terms of efficiency. The fermion bag approach also provides new insights and solutions to sign problems. A natural solution to the silver blaze problem also emerges. Using the three dimensional massless lattice Thirring model as an example we introduce the fermion bag approach and demonstrate some of these features. We compute the critical exponents at the quantum phase transition and find $ u=0.87(2)$ and $eta=0.62(2)$.
Fermion masses can be generated through four-fermion condensates when symmetries prevent fermion bilinear condensates from forming. This less explored mechanism of fermion mass generation is responsible for making four reduced staggered lattice fermions massive at strong couplings in a lattice model with a local four-fermion coupling. The model has a massless fermion phase at weak couplings and a massive fermion phase at strong couplings. In particular there is no spontaneous symmetry breaking of any lattice symmetries in both these phases. Recently it was discovered that in three space-time dimensions there is a direct second order phase transition between the two phases. Here we study the same model in four space-time dimensions and find results consistent with the existence of a narrow intermediate phase with fermion bilinear condensates, that separates the two asymptotic phases by continuous phase transitions.
We study a lattice field theory model containing two flavors of massless staggered fermions with an onsite four-fermion interaction. The model contains a $SU(4)$ symmetry which forbids non-zero fermion bilinear mass terms, due to which there is a massless fermion phase at weak couplings. However, even at strong couplings fermion bilinear condensates do not appear in our model, although fermions do become massive. While the existence of this exotic strongly coupled massive fermion phase was established long ago, the nature of the transition between the massless and the massive phase has remained unclear. Using Monte Carlo calculations in three space-time dimensions, we find evidence for a direct second order transition between the two phases suggesting that the exotic lattice phase may have a continuum limit at least in three dimensions. A similar exotic second order critical point was found recently in a bilayer system on a honeycomb lattice.
We prove that sign problems in the traditional approach to some lattice Yukawa models can be completely solved when the fermions are formulated using fermion bags and the bosons are formulated in the worldline representation. We prove this within the context of two examples of three dimensional models, symmetric under $U_L(1) times U_R(1) times Z_2 ({Parity})$ transformations, one involving staggered fermions and the other involving Wilson fermions. We argue that these models have interesting quantum phase transitions that can now be studied using Monte Carlo methods.
We propose a novel approach to the Graphene system using a local field theory of 4 dimensional QED model coupled to 2+1 dimensional Dirac fermions, whose velocity is much smaller than the speed of light. Performing hybrid Monte Carlo simulations of this model on the lattice, we compute the chiral condensate and its susceptibility with different coupling constant, velocity parameter and flavor number. We find that the chiral symmetry is dynamically broken in the small velocity regime and obtain a qualitatively consistent behavior with the prediction from Schwinger-Dyson equations.