New simulation strategies for lattice gauge theory

Abstract

Despite the numerous successful applications of lattice QCD in nuclear and particle theory, fundamental algorithmic challenges remain. Among those, relevant for numerical studies of QCD on a space-time torus, is topological freezing--a form of critical slowing down, which becomes particularly acute for lattice spacings less than 0.05 fm. In these proceedings, I highlight several recently proposed simulation strategies for ameliorating the problem of topological freezing, and discuss both their advantages and disadvantages. Then, I turn focus toward potential strategies for addressing critical slowing down in a more general context.

Comments: 15 pages, 11 figures; presented at The 34th annual International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, University of Southampton, UK (July 24 -30, 2016)