Path-integral and Ornstein-Zernike computations of quantum fluid structures under strong fluctuations

Abstract

This work deals with the computation of the structure factors of quantum fluids under complex conditions involving substantial density fluctuations and/or large particle delocalization effects. The method is based on the combination of path-integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) simulations and the pair Ornstein-Zernike framework (OZ2). PIMC provides the radial correlation functions (centroid, instantaneous, and thermalized-continuous total linear response), which are used as data input to the OZ2 calculations that lead to their associated structure factors. To undertake this project normal liquid 4He and supercritical 3He are selected, studying conditions in the range (T = 4.2 K; 0.01886 <ρN/Å-3 < 0.02687). Full inter-comparison between the structure factors determined via both OZ2 and direct PIMC calculations is made. In addition, comparison with experimental data, including thermodynamic properties, is made wherever possible. The results establish that, even under severe thermodynamic and/or quantum fluctuation conditions, OZ2 remains in the quantum domain as a highly reliable and cost-effective framework to determine accurate structure factors, also allowing one to understand the related isotopic shifts in fluid He.