  In low-temperature high-density plasmas quantum effects of the electrons are
becoming increasingly important. This requires the development of new
theoretical and computational tools. Quantum Monte Carlo methods are among the
most successful approaches to first-principle simulations of many-body quantum
systems. In this chapter we present a recently developed method---the
configuration path integral Monte Carlo (CPIMC) method for moderately coupled,
highly degenerate fermions at finite temperatures. It is based on the second
quantization representation of the $N$-particle density operator in a basis of
(anti-)symmetrized $N$-particle states (configurations of occupation numbers)
and allows to tread arbitrary pair interactions in a continuous space.
  We give a detailed description of the method and discuss the application to
electrons or, more generally, Coulomb-interacting fermions. As a test case we
consider a few quantum particles in a one-dimensional harmonic trap. Depending
on the coupling parameter (ratio of the interaction energy to kinetic energy),
the method strongly reduces the sign problem as compared to direct path
integral Monte Carlo (DPIMC) simulations in the regime of strong degeneracy
which is of particular importance for dense matter in laser plasmas or compact
stars. In order to provide a self-contained introduction, the chapter includes
a short introduction to Metropolis Monte Carlo methods and the second
quantization of quantum mechanics.
