Suppressing Discretization Error in Langevin Simulations of (2+1)-dimensional Field Theories

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Physics
Degree name
Master of Science
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Physics and Astronomy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2006
Authors
Wojtas, David Heinrich
Abstract

Lattice simulations are a popular tool for studying the non-perturbative physics of nonlinear field theories. To perform accurate lattice simulations, a careful account of the discretization error is necessary. Spatial discretization error as a result of lattice spacing dependence in Langevin simulations of anisotropic (2 + 1)-dimensional classical scalar field theories is studied. A transfer integral operator (TIO) method and a one-loop renormalization (1LR) procedure are used to formulate effective potentials. The effective potentials contain counterterms which are intended to suppress the lattice spacing dependence. The two effective potentials were tested numerically in the case of a phi-4 model. A high accuracy modified Euler method was used to evolve a phenomenological Langevin equation. Large scale Langevin simulations were performed in parameter ranges determined to be appropriate. Attempts at extracting correlation lengths as a means of determining effectiveness of each method were not successful. Lattice sizes used in this study were not of a sufficient size to obtain an accurate representation of thermal equilibrium. As an alternative, the initial behaviour of the ensemble field average was observed. Results for the TIO method showed that it was successful at suppressing lattice spacing dependence in a mean field limit. Results for the 1LR method showed that it performed poorly.

Description
Citation
Keywords
quantum field theory, Langevin simulations, transfer matrix, discretization
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
Copyright David Heinrich Wojtas