Semistochastic projector Monte Carlo method.

We introduce a semistochastic implementation of the power method to compute, for very large matrices, the dominant eigenvalue and expectation values involving the corresponding eigenvector. The method is semistochastic in that the matrix multiplication is partially implemented numerically exactly and partially stochastically with respect to expectation values only. Compared to a fully stochastic method, the semistochastic approach significantly reduces the computational time required to obtain the eigenvalue to a specified statistical uncertainty.

Excited States of weakly bound bosonic clusters: discrete variable representation and quantum Monte Carlo.

We compare two approaches for the accurate calculation of the energy levels of weakly bound boson trimers. The first approach is based on correlation function Monte Carlo employing optimized trial functions, while the second approach is based on the discrete variable representation. A trimer with atoms of half the mass of neon is used as a test problem for benchmark calculations.

Surface and bulk transitions in three-dimensional O(n) models.

Using Monte Carlo methods and finite-size scaling, we investigate surface criticality in the O(n) models on the simple-cubic lattice with n=1 , 2, and 3, i.e., the Ising, XY , and Heisenberg models.

Interdimensional degeneracies in van der Waals clusters and quantum Monte Carlo computation of rovibrational states.

Quantum Monte Carlo estimates of the spectrum of rotationally invariant states of noble gas clusters suggest interdimensional degeneracy in N-1 and N+1 spatial dimensions. We derive this property by mapping the Schrodinger eigenvalue problem onto an eigenvalue equation in which D appears as a continuous variable. We discuss implications for quantum Monte Carlo and dimensional scaling methods.

L-H transition in the mega-amp spherical tokamak.

H-mode plasmas have been achieved on the MAST spherical tokamak at input power considerably higher than predicted by conventional threshold scalings. Following L- H transition, a clear improvement in energy confinement is obtained, exceeding recent international scalings even at densities approaching the Greenwald density limit. Transition is accompanied by an order-of-magnitude increase in edge-density gradient, a marked decrease in turbulence, the efficient conversion of internal electron Bernstein waves into free space waves, and the onset and saturation of edge poloidal rotation.

Optimization of ground- and excited-state wave functions and van der Waals clusters.

A quantum Monte Carlo method is introduced to optimize excited-state trial wave functions. The method is applied in a correlation function Monte Carlo calculation to compute ground- and excited-state energies of bosonic van der Waals clusters of up to seven particles. The calculations are performed using trial wave functions with general three-body correlations.

H-Mode operation in the START spherical tokamak.

H-mode operation has been achieved in high current (I(p)>200 kA) plasmas in the START spherical tokamak for both neutral-beam-injection-heated and Ohmic discharges. The transition to H mode features the development of well-defined edge pedestals in density and temperature, which signifies the formation of an edge-transport barrier, and associated edge-localized modes. Recent operation at plasma currents exceeding 250 kA shows that these features are accompanied by increases in energy confinement time.