Reading 7: Stochastic Processes & Ising Model

Reading 7: Stochastic Processes & Ising Model#

For the class on Monday, February 3rd

Reading assignments#

Read the following sections of [CT14] (note that these two sections are from different chapters):

  • Sec. 1.6 “Monte Carlo sampling of random walks” (You can stop when the text starts to discuss the indefinitely growing self-avoiding random walk, or IGSAW, which is not very relevant to this class.)

  • Sec. 8.3 “Monte Carlo simulations of the Ising model”, including all of its subsections, 8.3.1–8.3.5.

Questions#

Submit your answer on Canvas. Due at noon, Monday, February 3rd.

  1. List anything from your reading that confuses you. Explain why they confuse you. If nothing confuses you, briefly summarize what you have learned from this reading assignment.

  2. Based on what you have learned from this reading, the last reading, and the Jan 27 class, briefly discuss the importance of importance sampling in the simulation of the Ising model.

  3. Briefly define detailed balance using your own words. What is its importance in the simulation of the Ising model?