Numerical Simulation of Quantum Field Fluctuations

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Taylor, Emily R., Yencho, Samuel, Ford, L. H.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2023
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author Taylor, Emily R.
Yencho, Samuel
Ford, L. H.
author_facet Taylor, Emily R.
Yencho, Samuel
Ford, L. H.
contents The quantum fluctuations of fields can exhibit subtle correlations in space and time. As the interval between a pair of measurements varies, the correlation function can change sign, signaling a shift between correlation and anti-correlation. A numerical simulation of the fluctuations requires a knowledge of both the probability distribution and the correlation function. Although there are widely used methods to generate a sequence of random numbers which obey a given probability distribution, the imposition of a given correlation function can be more difficult. Here we propose a simple method in which the outcome of a given measurement determines a shift in the peak of the probability distribution, to be used for the next measurement. We illustrate this method for three examples of quantum field correlation functions, and show that the resulting simulated function agree well with the original, analytically derived function. We then discuss the application of this method to numerical studies of the effects of correlations on the random walks of test particles coupled to the fluctuating field.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2312_17155
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Numerical Simulation of Quantum Field Fluctuations
Taylor, Emily R.
Yencho, Samuel
Ford, L. H.
Quantum Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
The quantum fluctuations of fields can exhibit subtle correlations in space and time. As the interval between a pair of measurements varies, the correlation function can change sign, signaling a shift between correlation and anti-correlation. A numerical simulation of the fluctuations requires a knowledge of both the probability distribution and the correlation function. Although there are widely used methods to generate a sequence of random numbers which obey a given probability distribution, the imposition of a given correlation function can be more difficult. Here we propose a simple method in which the outcome of a given measurement determines a shift in the peak of the probability distribution, to be used for the next measurement. We illustrate this method for three examples of quantum field correlation functions, and show that the resulting simulated function agree well with the original, analytically derived function. We then discuss the application of this method to numerical studies of the effects of correlations on the random walks of test particles coupled to the fluctuating field.
title Numerical Simulation of Quantum Field Fluctuations
topic Quantum Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.17155