Variational Monte Carlo technique

In this article, I discuss the use of the Variational Monte Carlo technique in the determination of ground state energies of quantum harmonic oscillators in one and three dimensions. In order to provide a better understanding of this technique, a pre-requisite concept of Monte Carlo integration is also discussed along with numerical examples. The technique can be easily extended to study the ground state energies of hydrogen atom, particle in a box, helium atom and other complex microscopic systems involving N particles in d-dimensions.