Jarzynski's theorem for lattice gauge theory

TL;DR

This paper explores the application of Jarzynski's theorem within lattice gauge theory to compute free energies and equations of state, offering new computational approaches for challenging problems in quantum chromodynamics and related gauge theories.

Contribution

It introduces the use of Jarzynski's theorem in lattice gauge theory, demonstrating its utility in calculating interface free energies and equations of state.

Findings

Successful application to interface free energies

Effective in determining the equation of state

Potential for broader applications in QCD simulations

Abstract

Jarzynski's theorem is a well-known equality in statistical mechanics, which relates fluctuations in the work performed during a non-equilibrium transformation of a system, to the free-energy difference between two equilibrium ensembles. In this article, we apply Jarzynski's theorem in lattice gauge theory, for two examples of challenging computational problems, namely the calculation of interface free energies and the determination of the equation of state. We conclude with a discussion of further applications of interest in QCD and in other strongly coupled gauge theories, in particular for the Schroedinger functional and for simulations at finite density using reweighting techniques.