Convergence properties of Coherent State Path Integrals from Statistical Mechanics

Abstract

Coherent state path integral representations for matrix elements of density operators are compared to various formulations of coordinate space path integrals discussed recently [R. D. Coalson, J. Chem. Phys. 85, 926 (1986)]. The convergence properties of finite-dimensional approximations to these path integrals are tested for the harmonic oscillator. It is found that at low temperatures the coherent state path integrals converge much better than the coordinate space path integrals and thus should be preferred in numerical (e.g., Monte Carlo) calculations of low-temperature properties.