Advances in Computer Simulation, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1998 Lectures Held at the Eötvös Summer School in Budapest, Hungary, 16–20 July 1996 Lecture Notes in Physics Series, Vol. 501

Computer simulation has become a basic tool in many branches of physics such as statistical physics, particle physics, or materials science. The application of efficient algorithms is at least as important as good hardware in large-scale computation. This volume contains didactic lectures on such techniques based on physical insight. The emphasis is on Monte Carlo methods (introduction, cluster algorithms, reweighting and multihistogram techniques, umbrella sampling), efficient data analysis and optimization methods, but aspects of supercomputing, the solution of stochastic differential equations, and molecular dynamics are also discussed. The book addresses graduate students and researchers in theoretical and computational physics.

to Monte Carlo algorithms.- Cluster algorithms.- Optimized monte carlo methods.- Monte Carlo on parallel and vector computers.- Error estimates on averages of correlated data.- Stochastic differential equations.- Frustrated systems: Ground state properties via combinatorial optimization.- Molecular dynamics.