Fermion Bag Approach Research Articles

Fermion-bag inspired Hamiltonian lattice field theory for fermionic quantum criticality

Motivated by the fermion bag approach we construct a new class of Hamiltonian lattice field theories that can help us to study fermionic quantum critical points, particularly those with four-fermion interactions. Although these theories are constructed in discrete-time with a finite temporal lattice spacing $\varepsilon$, when $\varepsilon\rightarrow 0$, conventional continuous-time Hamiltonian lattice field theories are recovered. The fermion bag algorithms run relatively faster when $\varepsilon=1$ as compared to $\varepsilon \rightarrow 0$, but still allow us to compute universal quantities near the quantum critical point even at such a large value of $\varepsilon$. As an example of this new approach, here we study the $N_f=1$ Gross-Neveu chiral Ising universality class in $2+1$ dimensions by calculating the critical scaling of the staggered mass order parameter. We show that we are able to study lattice sizes up to $100^2$ sites when $\varepsilon=1$, while with comparable resources we can only reach lattice sizes of up to $64^2$ when $\varepsilon \rightarrow 0$. The critical exponents obtained in both these studies match within errors.

Accurate simulation of the finite density lattice Thirring model

We present a study of the finite density lattice Thirring model in 1+1 dimensions using the world-line/fermion-bag algorithm. The model has features similar to QCD and provides a test case for exploring the accuracy of various methods of solving sign problems. In the massless limit and with open boundary conditions we show that the sign problem is an artifact of the auxiliary field approach and is completely eliminated in the fermion bag approach. With periodic boundary conditions the sign problem is mild in the fermion bag method. We present accurate results for various quantities in the model that can be used as a benchmark for comparison with other methods of solving sign problems.

Fermion Bag Approach to Lattice Hamiltonian Field Theories

Using a model in the Gross-Neveu Ising universality class, we show how the fermion bag idea can be applied to develop algorithms to Hamiltonian lattice field theories. We argue that fermion world lines suggest an alternative method to the traditional techniques for calculating ratios of determinants in a stable manner. We show the power behind these ideas by extracting the physics of the model on large lattices.

Fermion bag approach to Hamiltonian lattice field theories in continuous time

We extend the idea of fermion bags to Hamiltonian lattice field theories in the continuous time formulation. Using a class of models we argue that the temperature is a parameter that splits the fermion dynamics into small spatial regions that can be used to identify fermion bags. Using this idea we construct a continuous time quantum Monte Carlo algorithm and compute critical exponents in the 3d Ising Gross-Neveu universality class using a single flavor of massless Hamiltonian staggered fermions. We find $\eta$=0.54(6) and $\nu$=0.88(2) using lattices up to N=2304 sites. We argue that even sizes up to N=10,000 sites should be accessible with supercomputers available today.

Fermion bag approach for the massive Thirring model at finite density

We consider the 2+1 dimensional massive Thirring model with one flavor at finite density. Two numerical methods, fermion bag approach and complex Langevin dynamics, are used to calculate the chiral condensate and fermion density of this model. The numerical results obtained by fermion bag approach are compared with those obtained by complex Langevin dynamics. They are also compared with those obtained under phase quenched approximation. We show that in some range of fermion coupling strength and chemical potential the sign problem in fermion bag approach is mild, while it becomes severe for the complex Langevin dynamics.

Quantum critical behavior in three dimensional lattice Gross-Neveu models

We study quantum critical behavior in three dimensional lattice Gross-Neveu models containing two massless Dirac fermions. We focus on two models with SU(2) flavor symmetry and either a $Z_2$ or a U(1) chiral symmetry. Both models could not be studied earlier due to sign problems. We use the fermion bag approach which is free of sign problems and compute critical exponents at the phase transitions. We estimate $\nu = 0.83(1)$, $\eta = 0.62(1)$, $\eta_\psi = 0.38(1)$ in the $Z_2$ and $\nu = 0.849(8)$, $\eta = 0.633(8)$, $\eta_\psi = 0.373(3)$ in the U(1) model.

Fermion bag approach to fermion sign problems

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.

Fermion bag solutions to some sign problems in four-fermion field theories

Lattice four-fermion models containing N flavors of staggered fermions, that are invariant under Z2 and U(1) chiral symmetries, are known to suffer from sign problems when formulated using the auxiliary field approach. Although these problems have been ignored in previous studies, they can be severe. In this talk, we show that the sign problems disappear when the models are formulated in the fermion bag approach, allowing us to solve them rigorously for the first time.

Fermion bag solutions to some sign problems in four-fermion field theories

Lattice four-fermion models containing $N$ flavors of staggered fermions, which are invariant under ${Z}_{2}$ and $U(1)$ chiral symmetries, are known to suffer from sign problems when formulated using the auxiliary field approach. Although these problems have been ignored in previous studies, they can be severe. Here we show that the sign problems disappear when the models are formulated in the fermion bag approach, allowing us to solve them rigorously for the first time.

Fermion Bags, Duality, and the Three Dimensional Massless Lattice Thirring Model

The recently proposed fermion-bag approach is a powerful technique to solve some four-fermion lattice field theories. Because of the existence of a duality between strong and weak couplings, the approach leads to efficient Monte Carlo algorithms in both these limits. The new method allows us for the first time to accurately compute quantities close to the quantum critical point in the three dimensional lattice Thirring model with massless fermions on large lattices. The critical exponents at the quantum critical point are found to be ν=0.85(1), η=0.65(1), and η(ψ)=0.37(1).

Fermion bag approach to the sign problem in strongly coupled lattice QED with Wilson fermions

We explore the sign problem in strongly coupled lattice QED with one flavor of Wilson fermions in four dimensions using the fermion bag formulation. We construct rules to compute the weight of a fermion bag and show that even though the fermions are confined into bosons, fermion bags with negative weights do exist. By classifying fermion bags as either simple or complex, we find numerical evidence that complex bags with positive and negative weights come with almost equal probabilities and this leads to a severe sign problem. On the other hand simple bags mostly have a positive weight. Since the complex bags almost cancel each other, we suggest that eliminating them from the partition function may be a good approximation. This modified partition function suffers only from a mild sign problem. We also find a simpler model which does not suffer from any sign problem and may still be a good approximation at small and intermediate values of the hopping parameter. We also prove that when the hopping parameter is strictly infinite all fermion bags are non-negative.

Fermion bag approach to lattice field theories

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 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 $\ensuremath{\nu}=0.87(2)$ and $\ensuremath{\eta}=0.62(2)$.