Quantum Monte Carlo methods in few-body physics

Monte Carlo methods are being used to bridge the gap between few- and many-body quantum systems. In electronic systems, Quantum Monte Carlo methods can be used to study the stability and orientation of various arrangements of atoms and molecules. In nuclear physics, Monte Carlo methods provide a unique opportunity to study light nuclei with realistic nuclear interactions. In this article, we discuss why and how Monte Carlo methods have been adapted to few-body physics, and a variety of the recent applications of such methods. We highlight applications in nuclear physics, where studies of the nuclear interaction are extremely important. Three-nucleon interactions and relativistic effects are being studied in different nuclei with a variety of techniques. Nuclei beyond A=4 offer unique opportunities to study the isospin dependence of the three-nucleon interaction, as well as studies of bound states with important contributions from odd-parity partial waves. We have also begun to study the parity-violating NN interaction, where some interesting new few-nucleon experiments are planned and underway.