Work

Applying the Variational Principle to ( 1+1 )-Dimensional Quantum Field Theories

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: We extend the recently introduced continuous matrix product state variational class to the setting of (1+1)-dimensional relativistic quantum field theories. This allows one to overcome the difficulties highlighted by Feynman concerning the application of the variational procedure to relativistic theories, and provides a new way to regularize quantum field theories. A fermionic version of the continuous matrix product state is introduced which is manifestly free of fermion doubling and sign problems. We illustrate the power of the formalism by studying the momentum occupation for free massive Dirac fermions and the chiral symmetry breaking in the Gross-Neveu model.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.251601

Authors: Jutho Haegeman, J. Ignacio Cirac, Tobias J. Osborne, Henri Verschelde, Frank Verstraete

Institutions: Ghent University, Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Institute for Advanced Study, University of Vienna

Language: Latvian

Topic: Quantum many-body systems

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Universität Wien, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Vlaamse regering

OpenAlex ID: W2072083256

FWCI: 1.236

Cites: 22

Cited by: 62

Related to: 10