arXiv subjects

Emilie Huffman

Publications and source records attributed to Emilie Huffman.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Emergence of Gauss' Law in a $Z_2$ Lattice Gauge Theory

We explore a $Z_2$ Hamiltonian lattice gauge theory in one spatial dimension with a coupling $h$, without imposing any Gauss' law constraint. We show that in our model $h=0$ is a free deconfined quantum critical point containing massless fermions where all Gauss' law sectors are equivalent. The coupling $h$ is a relevant perturbation of this critical point and fermions become massive due to confinement and chiral symmetry breaking. To study the emergent Gauss' law sectors at low temperatures in this massive phase we use a quantum Monte Carlo method that samples configurations of the partition function written in a basis in which local conserved charges are diagonal. We find that two Gauss' law sectors, related by particle-hole symmetry, emerge naturally. When the system is doped with an extra particle, many more Gauss's law sectors related by translation invariance emerge. Using results in the range $0.01 < h \leq 0.15 $ we find that three different mass scales of the model behave like $h^{p}$ where $p \approx 0.579$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

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.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Fermion Bag Approach for Hamiltonian Lattice Field Theories

Two formidable bottlenecks to the applicability of QMC include: (1) the sign problem and (2) algorithmic update inefficiencies. In this thesis, I overcome both these difficulties for a class of problems by extending the fermion bag approach to the Hamiltonian formalism and demonstrating progress using the example of a specific quantum system known as the $t$-$V$ model, which exhibits a transition from a semimetal to an insulator phase for a single flavor of four-component Dirac fermions. The success of this extension is demonstrated in two ways: first, through solutions to sign problems, and second, through the development of new efficient QMC algorithms. In addressing the first point, I present a solution to the sign problem for the aforementioned $t$-$V$ model, which is then extended to many other Hamiltonian models within a class that involves fermions interacting with quantum spins. Some of these models contain an interesting quantum phase transition between a massless/semimetal phase to a massive/insulator phase in the Gross-Neveu universality class. The second point is addressed through the construction of a Hamiltonian fermion bag algorithm, which is then used to compute critical exponents for the second-order phase transition in the $t$-$V$ model and is described in detail here. The largest lattice sizes of $64^2$ at a comparably low temperature are reachable due to efficiency gains from this Hamiltonian fermion bag algorithm. The two independent critical exponents I find, which completely characterize the phase transition, are $η=.51(3)$ and $ν=.89(1)$. The finite size scaling fit is excellent with a $χ^2/DOF=.90$, showing strong evidence for a second-order critical phase transition, and hence a non-perturbative QFT can be defined at the critical point.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

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 $η$=0.54(6) and $ν$=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.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Monte Carlo methods in continuous time for lattice Hamiltonians

We solve a variety of sign problems for models in lattice field theory using the Hamiltonian formulation, including Yukawa models and simple lattice gauge theories. The solutions emerge naturally in continuous time and use the dual representation for the bosonic fields. These solutions allow us to construct quantum Monte Carlo methods for these problems. The methods could provide an alternative approach to understanding non-perturbative dynamics of some lattice field theories.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Real-Time Evolution of Strongly Coupled Fermions driven by Dissipation

We consider the real-time evolution of a strongly coupled system of lattice fermions whose dynamics is driven entirely by dissipative Lindblad processes, with linear or quadratic quantum jump operators. The fermion 2-point functions obey a closed set of differential equations, which can be solved with linear algebra methods. The staggered occupation order parameter of the t-V model decreases exponentially during the dissipative time evolution. The structure factor associated with the various Fourier modes shows the slowing down of low-momentum modes, which is due to particle number conservation. The processes with nearest-neighbor-dependent Lindblad operators have a decay rate that is proportional to the coordination number of the spatial lattice.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Solution to sign problems in models of interacting fermions and quantum spins

We show that solutions to fermion sign problems in the CT-INT formulation can be extended to systems involving fermions interacting with dynamical quantum spins. While these sign problems seem unsolvable in the auxiliary field approach, solutions emerge in the worldline representation of quantum spins. Combining the idea with meron-cluster methods, we are able to extend the solvable models even further. We demonstrate these novel solutions to sign problems by considering several examples of strongly correlated systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Leggett-Garg test of superconducting qubit addressing the clumsiness loophole

The Leggett-Garg inequality holds for any macrorealistic system that is being measured noninvasively. A violation of the inequality can signal that a system does not conform to our primal intuition about the physical world. Alternatively, a violation can simply indicate that "clumsy" experimental technique led to invasive measurements. Here, we consider a recent Leggett-Garg test designed to try to rule out the mundane second possibility. We tailor this Leggett-Garg test to the IBM 5Q Quantum Experience system and find compelling evidence that qubit $Q_2$ of the system cannot be described by noninvasive macrorealism.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Solution to the sign problem in a frustrated quantum impurity model

In this work we solve the sign problem of a frustrated quantum impurity model consisting of three quantum spin-half chains interacting through an anti-ferromagnetic Heisenberg interaction at one end. We first map the model into a repulsive Hubbard model of spin-half fermions hopping on three independent one dimensional chains that interact through a triangular hopping at one end. We then convert the fermion model into an inhomogeneous one dimensional model and express the partition function as a weighted sum over fermion worldline configurations. By imposing a pairing of fermion worldlines in half the space we show that all negative weight configurations can be eliminated. This pairing naturally leads to the original frustrated quantum spin model at half filling and thus solves its sign problem.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Solution to new sign problems with Hamiltonian Lattice Fermions

We present a solution to the sign problem in a class of particle-hole symmetric Hamiltonian lattice fermion models on bipartite lattices using the idea of fermion bags. The solution remains valid when the particle-hole symmetry is broken through a staggered chemical potential term. This solution allows, for the first time, simulations of some massless four-fermion models with minimal fermion doubling and with an odd number of fermion flavors using ultra-local actions. One can thus study a variety of quantum phase transitions that have remained unexplored so far due to sign problems.

hep-lat↗