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A Guide to Monte Carlo Simulations in Statistical Physics

David P. Landau Kurt Binder

Cambridge University Press

A Guide to Monte Carlo Simulations in Statistical Physics
This book deals with all aspects of Monte Carlo simulation of complex physical systems encountered in condensed-matter physics and statistical mechanics as well as in related ®elds, for example polymer science and lattice gauge theory. After brie¯y recalling essential background in statistical mechanics and probability theory, the authors give a succinct overview of simple sampling methods. The next several chapters develop the importance sampling method, both for lattice models and for systems in continuum space. The concepts behind the various simulation algorithms are explained in a comprehensive fashion, as are the techniques for ef®cient evaluation of system con®gurations generated by simulation (histogram extrapolation, multicanonical sampling, thermodynamic integration and so forth). The fact that simulations deal with small systems is emphasized, and the text incorporates various ®nite size scaling concepts to show how a careful analysis of ®nite size effects can be a useful tool for the analysis of simulation results. Other chapters also provide introductions to quantum Monte Carlo methods, aspects of simulations of growth phenomena and other systems far from equilibrium, and the Monte Carlo renormalization group approach to critical phenomena. Throughout the book there are many applications, examples, and exercises to help the reader in a thorough study of this book; furthermore, many up-to-date references to more specialized literature are also provided. This book will be bought by graduate students who have to deal with computer simulations in their research, as well as by postdoctoral researchers, in both physics and physical chemistry. It can be used as a textbook for graduate courses on computer simulations in physics and related disciplines.

DAVID P. LANDAU was born