Simulating quantum systems on classical computers with matrix product states

In this thesis, the numerical simulation of strongly-interacting many-body quantum-mechanical systems using matrix product states (MPS) is considered. Compared to classical systems, quantum many-body systems possess an exponentially enlarged number of degrees of freedom, significantly complicating a simulation on a classical computer. Matrix-Product-States are a novel representation of arbitrary quantum many-body states. Using quantum information theory, it is possible to show that Matrix-Product-States provide a polynomial-sized representation of one-dimensional quantum systems, thus allowing an efficient simulation of one-dimensional quantum system on classical computers. Matrix-Product-States form the conceptual framework of the density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG). Based upon this connection, deeper understanding of the density matrix renormalization group can be obtained. After a general introduction in the first chapter of this thesis, the second chapter deals with Matrix-Product-States, focusing on the development of fast and stable algorithms. It is possible to extend the Matrix-Product-States approach to be able to represent arbitrary operators, the so-called Matrix-Product-Operators, which allows a fast and flexible calculation of arbitrary expectation values. To obtain algorithms to efficiently calculate groundstates, the density-matrix renormalization group is reformulated using the Matrix-Product-States framework. Further, time-dependent problems are considered. Two different algorithms are presented, one based on a Trotter decomposition of the time-evolution operator, the other one on Krylov subspaces. Finally, the evaluation of dynamical spectral functions is discussed, and a correction vector-based method is presented. In the following chapters, the methods presented in the second chapter, are applied to a number of different physical problems. The third chapter deals with the existence of chiral phases in isotropic one-dimensional quantum spin systems. A preceding analytical study based on a mean-field approach indicated the possible existence of those phases in an isotopic Heisenberg model with a frustrating zig-zag interaction and a magnetic field. In this thesis, the existence of the chiral phases will be shown numerically by using Matrix-Product-States-based algorithms. A key effect of interacting one-dimensional quantum-mechanical many-body systems is the spin-charge separation. However, up to now only signs of the spin-charge separation have been observed in experiments. In the fourth chapter, we propose an experiment using ultracold atomic gases in optical lattices, which allows a well controlled observation of the spin-charge separation (of different hyperfine states of the ultracold atoms) with current state of the art experimental techniques. Ultracold atoms in optical lattices are well described by (Bose)-Hubbard models. In order to support this proposal, we present numerical results for realistic system parameters. Matrix-Product-States are an excellent tool for the simulation of one-dimensional quantum systems, however, they are not well suited for the simulation of higher dimensional systems. For strongly-correlated systems, for instance cuprates-based high-temperature superconductors, quantum fluctuations play an essential role. Classical mean-field theories neglect any kind of fluctuations, thus they are not suitable to describe strongly-correlated systems. The dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) fully takes local quantum fluctuations into account but neglects any kind of spatial fluctuations. The many-body problem on the lattice is mapped onto an impurity problem, which needs to be solved self-consistently. In the last chapter of this thesis, Matrix-Product-States-based algorithms are used to solve the impurity problem of the dynamical mean-field theory. We present results for a Hubbard model on a one-dimensional lattice and on a Bethe lattice obtained by the dynamical mean-field and compare them with exact results.

Grantor dc:publisher

Publikationsserver der RWTH Aachen University

Year dc:date

2010

Author dc:creator

• Kleine, Adrian

Contributors dc:contributor

• Schollwöck, Ulrich

• info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/530
• Festkörpertheorie
• Vielteilchentheorie
• Computersimulation
• Entropie <Informationstheorie>
• Maximum-Entropie-Methode
• Quantenmechanisches System
• Starke Kopplung
• Bose-Einstein-Kondensation
• Physik
• DMRG
• DMFT

Statement dc:rights

• info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

https://publications.rwth-aachen.de/search?p=id:%22RWTH-CONV-124759%22

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:publications.rwth-aachen.de:63324