Ground-State Properties of a One-Dimensional System of Hard Rods

A quantum Monte Carlo simulation of a system of hard rods in one dimension is presented and discussed. The calculation is exact since the analytical form of the wavefunction is known, and is in excellent agreement with predictions obtained from asymptotic expansions valid at large distances. The analysis of the static structure factor and the pair distribution function indicates that a solid-like and a gas-like phases exist at high and low densities, respectively. The one-body density matrix decays following a power-law at large distances and produces a divergence in the low density momentum distribution at k=0 which can be identified as a quasi-condensate.