Editing Path integral formulation

The '''path integral formulation''', here from the [[statistical mechanics | statistical mechanical]] point of view,  is an elegant method by which [[quantum mechanics | quantum mechanical]] contributions can be incorporated 
within a classical [[Computer simulation techniques |simulation]] using Feynman path integrals (see the [[Path integral formulation#Additional reading|additional reading ]] section). Such simulations are particularly  applicable to light atoms and molecules such as [[hydrogen]], [[helium]], [[neon]] and [[argon]], as well as quantum rotators such as [[methane]] and hydrogen-bonded systems such as [[water]]. From a more idealised point of view path integrals are often used to study [[quantum hard spheres]].
==Principles==
In the path integral formulation the canonical [[partition function]] (in one dimension) is written as 
(<ref  name="Berne">[http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.pc.37.100186.002153  B. J. Berne and D. Thirumalai "On the Simulation of Quantum Systems: Path Integral Methods", Annual Review of Physical Chemistry '''37''' pp. 401-424 (1986)]</ref>  Eq. 1)
:<math>Q(\beta, V)= \int {\mathrm d} x_1 \int_{x_1}^{x_1} Dx(\tau)e^{-S[x(\tau)]}</math> 
where <math>S[x(\tau)]</math> is the Euclidean action, given by (<ref  name="Berne"></ref> Eq. 2)
:<math>S[x(\tau)] = \int_0^{\beta \hbar} H(x(\tau)) ~{\mathrm d}\tau</math>
where <math>x(\tau)</math> is the path in time <math>\tau</math> and <math>H</math> is the [[Hamiltonian]].
This leads to (<ref  name="Berne"></ref> Eq. 3)
:<math>Q_P = \left( \frac{mP}{2 \pi \beta \hbar^2} \right)^{P/2} \int ... \int {\mathrm d}x_1... {\mathrm d}x_P e^{-\beta \Phi_P (x_1...x_P;\beta)}</math>
where the Euclidean time is discretised in units of 
:<math>\varepsilon = \frac{\beta \hbar}{P}, P \in {\mathbb Z}</math>
:<math>x_t = x(t \beta \hbar/P)</math>
:<math>x_{P+1}=x_1</math>
and (<ref  name="Berne"></ref> Eq. 4)
:<math>\Phi_P (x_1...x_P;\beta)= \frac{mP}{2\beta^2 \hbar^2} \sum_{t=1}^P (x_t - x_{t+1})^2 + \frac{1}{P}  \sum_{t=1}^P  V(x_t)</math>

where <math>P</math> is the Trotter number. In the Trotter limit, where <math>P \rightarrow \infty</math> these equations become exact. In the case where <math>P=1</math> these equations revert to a classical simulation. It has long been recognised that there is an isomorphism between this discretised quantum mechanical description, and the classical [[statistical mechanics]] of polyatomic fluids, in particular flexible ring molecules<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.441588      David Chandler and Peter G. Wolynes "Exploiting the isomorphism between quantum theory and classical statistical mechanics of polyatomic fluids", Journal of Chemical Physics '''74''' pp. 4078-4095 (1981)]</ref>, due to the periodic boundary conditions in imaginary time. It can be seen from the first term of the above equation that each particle <math>x_t</math> interacts with is neighbours <math>x_{t-1}</math> and <math>x_{t+1}</math> via a harmonic spring. The second term provides the internal potential energy. 

The following is a schematic for the interaction between atom <math>i</math> (green) and atom <math>j</math> (orange). Here we show the atoms having five  Trotter slices (<math>P=5</math>), forming what can be thought of as a "ring polymer molecule". The harmonic springs between Trotter slices are in yellow, and white/blue bonds represent the classical [[intermolecular pair potential]].

:{| border="1"
| [[Image:1bead_classical_ij.png|center|400px]]Classical limit (P=1)   || [[Image:5bead_pathIntegra_ij.png|center|400px]] Path integral (here with P=5) 
|}

In three dimensions one has the ''density operator''

:<math>\hat{\rho} (\beta) = \exp\left[ -\beta \hat{H} \right]</math>

which thanks to the [[Trotter formula]] we can tease out <math>\exp \left[ -\beta (U_{\mathrm {spring}}+ U_{\mathrm{internal}} ) \right]</math>, where 

:<math>U_{\mathrm {spring}} = \frac{mP}{2\beta^2 \hbar^2} \sum_{t=1}^P | \mathbf{r}_t - \mathbf{r}_{t+1} |^2</math>

and

:<math>U_{\mathrm{internal}}= \frac{1}{P}  \sum_{t=1}^P  V(\mathbf{r}_t)</math>

The [[internal energy]] is given by 

:<math>\langle U \rangle = \frac{3NP}{2\beta}- \langle U_{\mathrm {spring}}   \rangle  + \langle U_{\mathrm{internal}} \rangle </math>

The average kinetic energy is known as the ''primitive estimator'', i.e. 

:<math>\langle K_P \rangle = \frac{3NP}{2\beta}- \langle U_{\mathrm {spring}}   \rangle    </math>

==Harmonic oscillator==
The density matrix for a harmonic oscillator is given by (<ref>R. P. Feynman and A. R. Hibbs "Path-integrals and Quantum Mechanics", McGraw-Hill, New York (1965) ISBN 0-07-020650-3</ref> Eq. 10-44)

:<math>\rho(x',x)= \sqrt{ \frac{m \omega}{2 \pi \hbar \sinh \omega \beta \hbar} } \exp \left( - \frac{m \omega}{2  \hbar (\sinh \omega \beta \hbar)^2 }  \left( (x^2 + x'^2 ) \cosh \omega \beta \hbar - 2xx'\right)\right)</math> 

See also refs
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.18910 Barry R. Holstein "The harmonic oscillator propagator", American Journal of Physics '''66''' pp. 583-589 (1998)]</ref>
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.1715108 L. Moriconi "An elementary derivation of the harmonic oscillator propagator", American Journal of Physics '''72''' pp. 1258-1259  (2004)]</ref>
==Wick rotation and imaginary time==
Wick rotation <ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.96.1124 G. C. Wick "Properties of Bethe-Salpeter Wave Functions", Physical Review '''96''' pp. 1124-1134 (1954)]</ref>. One can identify the [[Temperature#Inverse_temperature | inverse temperature]], <math>\beta</math> with an imaginary time <math>it/\hbar</math> (see <ref>M. J. Gillan "The path-integral simulation of quantum systems" in "Computer Modelling of Fluids Polymers and Solids" eds. C. R. A. Catlow, S. C. Parker and M. P. Allen,  NATO ASI Series C '''293''' pp. 155-188 (1990) ISBN 978-0-7923-0549-1</ref> &sect; 2.4).
==Rotational degrees of freedom==
In the case of systems having (<math>d</math>) rotational [[degree of freedom | degrees of freedom]] the [[Hamiltonian]] can be written in the form (<ref  name="Marx">[http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/11/11/003 Dominik Marx and Martin H Müser "Path integral simulations of rotors: theory and applications", Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter '''11''' pp. R117-R155  (1999)]</ref> Eq. 2.1):
:<math>\hat{H} = \hat{T}^{\mathrm {translational}} + \hat{T}^{\mathrm {rotational}}+ \hat{V}</math>

where the rotational part of the kinetic energy operator is given by (<ref  name="Marx"></ref> Eq. 2.2)

:<math>T^{\mathrm {rotational}} = \sum_{i=1}^{d^{\mathrm {rotational}}} \frac{\hat{L}_i^2}{2\Theta_{ii}}</math>

where <math>\hat{L}_i</math> are the components of the angular momentum operator, and <math>\Theta_{ii}</math> are the moments of inertia. 
==Rigid rotators==
:''Main article: [[Rigid top propagator]]''
==Computer simulation techniques==
The following are a number of commonly used [[computer simulation techniques]] that make use of the path integral formulation applied  to phases of condensed matter
====Path integral Monte Carlo====
Path integral Monte Carlo (PIMC)
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.437829 J. A. Barker "A quantum-statistical Monte Carlo method; path integrals with boundary conditions", Journal of Chemical Physics '''70''' pp. 2914- (1979)]</ref>
====Path integral molecular dynamics====
Path integral molecular dynamics (PIMD)
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.446740 M. Parrinello and A. Rahman  "Study of an F center in molten KCl", Journal of Chemical Physics  '''80''' pp. 860- (1984)]</ref>
====Centroid molecular dynamics====
Centroid molecular dynamics (CMD)
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.467175     Jianshu Cao and Gregory A. Voth "The formulation of quantum statistical mechanics based on the Feynman path centroid density. I. Equilibrium properties", Journal of Chemical Physics '''100''' pp. 5093-5105 (1994)]</ref>
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.467176 Jianshu Cao and Gregory A. Voth "The formulation of quantum statistical mechanics based on the Feynman path centroid density. II. Dynamical properties", Journal of Chemical Physics '''100''' pp. 5106- (1994)]</ref>
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.479515 Seogjoo Jang and Gregory A. Voth "A derivation of centroid molecular dynamics and other approximate time evolution methods for path integral centroid variables", Journal of Chemical Physics '''111''' pp. 2371- (1999)]</ref>
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.479666     Rafael Ramírez and Telesforo López-Ciudad  "The Schrödinger formulation of the Feynman path centroid density", Journal of Chemical Physics '''111''' pp. 3339-3348 (1999)]</ref>
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3484490  E. A. Polyakov, A. P. Lyubartsev, and P. N. Vorontsov-Velyaminov "Centroid molecular dynamics: Comparison with exact results for model systems", Journal of Chemical Physics '''133''' 194103 (2010)]</ref>
====Ring polymer molecular dynamics====
Ring polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD)
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1777575  Ian R. Craig and David E. Manolopoulos "Quantum statistics and classical mechanics: Real time correlation functions from ring polymer molecular dynamics", Journal of Chemical Physics '''121''' pp. 3368- (2004)]</ref>
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2357599 Bastiaan J. Braams and David E. Manolopoulos "On the short-time limit of ring polymer molecular dynamics",  Journal of Chemical Physics  '''125''' 124105 (2006)]</ref>
(Contraction scheme
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2953308 Thomas E. Markland and David E. Manolopoulos "An efficient ring polymer contraction scheme for imaginary time path integral simulations",  Journal of Chemical Physics '''129''' 024105 (2008)]</ref>
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2008.09.019 Thomas E. Markland and David E. Manolopoulos "A refined ring polymer contraction scheme for systems with electrostatic interactions" Chemical Physics Letters '''464''' pp. 256-261 (2008)]</ref>)
====Normal mode PIMD====
====Grand canonical Monte Carlo====
A path integral version of the [[Widom test-particle method]] for [[grand canonical Monte Carlo]] simulations:
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.474874 Qinyu Wang, J. Karl Johnson and Jeremy Q. Broughton "Path integral grand canonical Monte Carlo", Journal of Chemical Physics '''107''' pp. 5108-5117 (1997)]</ref>
==Applications==
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.470898     Jianshu Cao and Gregory A. Voth "Semiclassical approximations to quantum dynamical time correlation functions", Journal of Chemical Physics '''104''' pp. 273-285 (1996)]</ref>
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1316105 C. Chakravarty and R. M. Lynden-Bell "Landau free energy curves for melting of quantum solids", Journal of Chemical Physics '''113''' pp. 9239-9247 (2000)]</ref>
==References==
<references/>
==Additional reading==
* P. A. M. Dirac "The Lagrangian in Quantum Mechanics", Physikalische Zeitschrift der Sowjetunion '''3''' pp. 64-72 (1933)
*R. P. Feynman "Statistical Mechanics", Benjamin, Reading, Massachusetts, (1972) ISBN 0-201-36076-4  Chapter 3.
*[http://dx.doi.org/10.1143/JPSJ.35.980 Tohru Morita "Solution of the Bloch Equation for Many-Particle Systems in Terms of the Path Integral", Journal of the Physical Society of Japan '''35''' pp. 980-984 (1973)]
*[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0370-1573(75)90030-7 F. W. Wiegel "Path integral methods in statistical mechanics", Physics Reports '''16''' pp. 57-114 (1975)] 
*[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.437829 J. A. Barker "A quantum-statistical Monte Carlo method; path integrals with boundary conditions", Journal of Chemical Physics  '''70''' pp. 2914-2918 (1979)]
*[http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.67.279 D. M. Ceperley "Path integrals in the theory of condensed helium", Reviews of Modern Physics '''67''' 279 - 355 (1995)]
*[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/014423597230190 Charusita Chakravarty "Path integral simulations of atomic and molecular systems", International Reviews in Physical Chemistry '''16''' pp. 421-444 (1997)]
*[http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Path_integral Jean Zinn-Justin "Path integral"  Scholarpedia, 4(2):8674 (2009)]

==External links==
*[http://www.smac.lps.ens.fr/index.php/Programs_Chapter_3:_Density_matrices_and_path_integrals Density matrices and path integrals] computer code on SMAC-wiki.
*[http://www.deleramentum.net/codes/repimd/ A simple implementation of PIMD integrator (C++).]
[[Category: Monte Carlo]]
[[category: Quantum mechanics]]