Using microcomputers for teaching lattice gauge theory computational techniques

An interactive program for teaching students some of the basic ideas of lattice gauge theory has been written in BASIC on both Apple II+/e‐ and IBM‐type microcomputers. An initial introductory section discusses the basic concepts of lattice gauge theory and the Monte Carlo method. An outline of the features of the computer program used in a U(1) lattice gauge theory numerical simulation is presented. Finally, the limitations and results of this simulation are discussed. This program can serve as the basis for a laboratory demonstration in computational physics without the use of a large mainframe or supercomputer. The program can also be modified to include other variables that can be simulated using the same technique.