Full QCD Algorithms towards the Chiral Limit

Abstract

I discuss the behaviour of algorithms for dynamical fermions as the sea-quark mass decreases. I focus on the Hybrid-Monte-Carlo (HMC) algorithm applied to two degenerate flavours of Wilson fermions. First, I briefly review the performance obtained in large scale HMC simulations. Then I discuss a modified pseudo-fermion action for the HMC simulation that has been introduced three years ago. I summarize recent results obtained with this pseudo-fermion action by the QCDSF and the ALPHA collaborations. I comment on alternatives to the HMC, like the Multiboson algorithm and variants of it.

Comments: 7 pages, Lattice 2003 plenary talk, typos corrected, references updated, discussion of the MB algorithm corrected/extended