Understanding the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo through its Physics Fundamentals and Examples

Fuente: arXiv
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Auteurs principaux: Granados, Abraham, Bañales, Isaías
Format: Preprint
Publié: 2025
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author Granados, Abraham
Bañales, Isaías
author_facet Granados, Abraham
Bañales, Isaías
contents The Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) algorithm is a powerful Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method that uses Hamiltonian dynamics to generate samples from a target distribution. To fully exploit its potential, we must understand how Hamiltonian dynamics work and why they can be used in a MCMC algorithm. This work elucidates the Monte Carlo Hamiltonian, providing comprehensive explanations of the underlying physical concepts. It is intended for readers with a solid foundation in mathematics who may lack familiarity with specific physical concepts, such as those related to Hamiltonian dynamics. Additionally, we provide Python code for the HMC algorithm, examples and comparisons with the Random Walk Metropolis-Hastings (RWMH) and t-walk algorithms to highlight HMC's strengths and weaknesses when applied to Bayesian Inference.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2501_13932
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Understanding the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo through its Physics Fundamentals and Examples
Granados, Abraham
Bañales, Isaías
Computation
Applications
The Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) algorithm is a powerful Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method that uses Hamiltonian dynamics to generate samples from a target distribution. To fully exploit its potential, we must understand how Hamiltonian dynamics work and why they can be used in a MCMC algorithm. This work elucidates the Monte Carlo Hamiltonian, providing comprehensive explanations of the underlying physical concepts. It is intended for readers with a solid foundation in mathematics who may lack familiarity with specific physical concepts, such as those related to Hamiltonian dynamics. Additionally, we provide Python code for the HMC algorithm, examples and comparisons with the Random Walk Metropolis-Hastings (RWMH) and t-walk algorithms to highlight HMC's strengths and weaknesses when applied to Bayesian Inference.
title Understanding the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo through its Physics Fundamentals and Examples
topic Computation
Applications
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.13932