Quantum Monte Carlo simulation method for spin systems

A quantum Monte Carlo simulation scheme for spin systems is presented. The method is a generalization of Handscomb’s method but applicable to any length of the spin, i.e., when the spin traces cannot be evaluated analytically. The Monte Carlo sampling is extended to the space of spin vectors in addition to the usual operator-index sequences. An important technical point is that the index sequences are augmented with the aid of unit operators to a constant, self-consistently determined length. The scheme is applied to the one-dimensional antiferromagnetic spin-S Heisenberg model. Results at low temperatures are reported for S=1 and S=3/2 and system sizes up to N=64. The computed magnetic structure factor in the S=1 chain is in agreement with earlier ground-state calculations. For S=3/2 we find the exponent γ¯=0.49±0.04 for the divergence of the antiferromagnetic structure factor. Further, the susceptibility as a function of the wave number is computed. For S=1 the staggered susceptibility χ(π) at T=0 is found to take the value 20.0±1.5 in units such that χ(q)→${\mathit{T}}^{\mathrm{-}1}$ at high temperatures (with the temperature scale defined by ${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{B}}$=1). For S=3/2 we obtain the exponent γ=1.45±0.05 for the divergence of the staggered susceptibility.