Videos

Tutorial: Counting and sampling on lattices, a computer science perspective

Presenter
January 13, 2012
Keywords:
  • lattice theory
  • lattice models in mechanics
  • sampling algorithm
  • mathematical statistical mechanics
  • Markov process
  • tilings
  • phase transitions
  • colloids
  • image segmentation
MSC:
  • 60K35
  • 60J65
  • 60J67
  • 60Jxx
  • 60-xx
  • 82-xx
  • 06-xx
  • 82B26
  • 82B27
  • 94A20
  • 05B45
  • 05B40
Abstract
Sampling algorithms are used throughout the sciences to learn about large data sets, to estimate their cardinality, and to approximate statistical quantities associated with these sets. Markov chains provide a fundamental tool for achieving all of these objectives. This tutorial will present a primer for designing efficient sampling algorithm using Markov chains and analyzing their convergence times. We will focus on lattice models from statistical physics where mixing rates can be bounded using insights from the underlying combinatorial and statistical models.
Supplementary Materials