Simulation of quantum systems using path integrals in a generalized ensemble

The possibility of using path-integral simulations in a generalized ensembl e based on the Tsallis statistics is explored. The primitive model algorith m with the Tsallis ensemble replacing the canonical ensemble converges to t he quantum-mechanical result with a smaller number of beads in the isomorph ic chain. Examples considered are the harmonic oscillator, two. double-well systems and a double-well system immersed in an adiabatic solvent. (C) 200 1 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.