Sign-Problem-Free Nuclear Quantum Monte Carlo Simulation

Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods offer exact solutions for quantum many-body systems but face severe limitations in fermionic systems like atomic nuclei due to the sign problem. While sign-problem-free QMC algorithms exist and provide valuable insights across disciplines, they have been restricted to simple models with limited quantitative predictive power. Here we overcome this barrier by developing a novel lattice nuclear force that is rigorously sign-problem-free for even-even nuclei. This interaction achieves a standard deviation of σ=2.932 MeV from experimental binding energies for 76 even-even nuclei (N,Z≤28), matching state-of-the-art phenomenological mean-field models. Key innovations include the first sign-problem-free implementation of spin-orbit coupling for shell evolutions and an efficient QMC-optimized framework for global parameter fitting. Using this approach, we compute binding energies from ^{4}He to ^{132}Sn with unprecedented one-thousandth level numerical precision, reproduce symmetric nuclear matter saturation, and reveal novel spin-orbit-driven clustering in light nuclei. This Letter transforms sign-problem-free QMC simulation into a scalable and predictive nuclear structure tool, while establishing a high-fidelity, nonperturbative foundation for ab initio calculations of heavy nuclei.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical Review Letters
Published
2025-11-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/pn99-6dxt
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Nuclear physics research studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
3.74
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article

Sign-Problem-Free Nuclear Quantum Monte Carlo Simulation

Bing-Nan Lu, Zhong-Wang Niu
2 citations
Physical Review Letters
Nuclear physics research studies
3.74
article

Sign-Problem-Free Nuclear Quantum Monte Carlo Simulation

Bing-Nan Lu, Zhong-Wang Niu
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods offer exact solutions for quantum many-body systems but face severe limitations in fermionic systems like atomic nuclei due to the sign problem. While sign-problem-free QMC algorithms exist and provide valuable insights across disciplines, they have been restricted to simple models with limited quantitative predictive power. Here we overcome this barrier by developing a novel lattice nuclear force that is rigorously sign-problem-free for even-even nuclei. This interaction achieves a standard deviation of σ=2.932 MeV from experimental binding energies for 76 even-even nuclei (N,Z≤28), matching state-of-the-art phenomenological mean-field models. Key innovations include the first sign-problem-free implementation of spin-orbit coupling for shell evolutions and an efficient QMC-optimized framework for global parameter fitting. Using this approach, we compute binding energies from ^{4}He to ^{132}Sn with unprecedented one-thousandth level numerical precision, reproduce symmetric nuclear matter saturation, and reveal novel spin-orbit-driven clustering in light nuclei. This Letter transforms sign-problem-free QMC simulation into a scalable and predictive nuclear structure tool, while establishing a high-fidelity, nonperturbative foundation for ab initio calculations of heavy nuclei.

Physical Review LettersVol. 135(22)
China Academy of Engineering Physics (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Nuclear physics research studies
3.74
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