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We develop the worldline formalism for computations of composite operators such as the fluctuation induced energy-momentum tensor. As an example, we use a fluctuating real scalar field subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions. The resulting worldline representation can be evaluated by worldline Monte-Carlo methods in continuous spacetime. We benchmark this worldline numerical algorithm with the aid of analytically accessible single-plate and parallel-plate Casimir configurations, providing a detailed analysis of statistical and systematic errors. The method generalizes straightforwardly to arbitrary Casimir geometries and general background potentials.

We apply the worldline formalism and its numerical Monte-Carlo approach to computations of fluctuation induced energy-momentum tensors. For the case of a fluctuating Dirichlet scalar, we derive explicit worldline expressions for the components of the canonical energy-momentum tensor that are straightforwardly accessible to partly analytical and generally numerical evaluation. We present several simple proof-of-principle examples, demonstrating that efficient numerical evaluation is possible at low cost. Our methods can be applied to an investigation of positive-energy conditions.

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