Efficient molecular dynamics and hybrid Monte Carlo algorithms for path integrals

Abstract

New path integral molecular dynamics (PIMD) and path integral hybrid Monte Carlo (PIHMC) algorithms are developed. It is shown that the use of a simple noncanonical change of variables that naturally divides the quadratic part of the action into long and short wavelength modes and multiple time scale integration techniques results in very efficient algorithms. The PIMD method also employs a constant temperature MD technique that has been shown to give canonical averages even for stiff systems. The new methods are applied to the simple quantum mechanical harmonic oscillator and to electron solvation in fluid helium and xenon. Comparisons are made with PIMC and the more basic PIMD and PIHMC methods.