Finite element approximation in quantum theory (Q1079939)

We use the method of finite elements to solve operator quantum field equations in Minkowski space directly. An accurate evaluation of a functional integral requires a great many Monte Carlo passes through the lattice. In our approach, we do operator time-stepping, which requires only one pass through the lattice. We believe that the finite element method is advantagenous in quantum field theory because, unlike other methods, it treats bosons and fermions on an equal footing. This is possible because in this method one does not introduce a finite difference approximation for derivatives.