The presence of symmetries, be they discrete or continuous, in a physical system typically leads to a reduction in the problem to be solved. Here we report that neither translational invariance nor rotational invariance reduce the computational complexity of simulating Hamiltonian dynamics; the problem is still BQP complete, and is believed to be hard on a classical computer. This is achieved by designing a system to implement a Universal Quantum Interface, a device which enables control of an entire computation through the control of a fixed number of spins, and using it as a building-block to entirely remove the need for control, except in the system initialisation. Finally, it is shown that cooling such Hamiltonians to their ground states in the presence of random magnetic fields solves a QMA-complete problem.
This paper investigates finite-dimensional representations of PT-symmetric Hamiltonians. In doing so, it clarifies some of the claims made in earlier papers on PT-symmetric quantum mechanics. In particular, it is shown here that there are two ways to extend real symmetric Hamiltonians into the complex domain: (i) The usual approach is to generalize such Hamiltonians to include complex Hermitian Hamiltonians. (ii) Alternatively, one can generalize real symmetric Hamiltonians to include complex PT-symmetric Hamiltonians. In the first approach the spectrum remains real, while in the second approa…
By embedding a $\cal PT$-symmetric (pseudo-Hermitian) system into a large Hermitian one, we disclose the relations between $\cal{PT}$-symmetric Hamiltonians and weak measurement theory. We show that the amplification effect in weak measurement on a conventional quantum system can be used to effectively simulate a local broken $\cal PT$-symmetric Hamiltonian system, with the pre-selected state in the $\cal PT$-symmetric Hamiltonian system and its post-selected state resident in the dilated Hamiltonian system.
We construct an isospectrum systems in terms of a real and complex potential to show that the underlying PT symmetric Hamiltonian possesses a real spectrum which is shared by its real partner.
We study the factorization of the PT symmetric Hamiltonian. The general expression for the superpotential corresponding to the PT symmetric potential is obtained and explicit examples are presented.
A transformation of the form x to iy; x,y in R, or an equivalent similarity transformation with a metric operator $η$ are shown to transform non-Hermitian PT-symmetric Hamiltonians into Hermitian partner Hamiltonians in Hilbert space. Isospectrality and mass signature are discussed.
We prove that any symmetric Hamiltonian that is a quadratic function of the coordinates and momenta has a pseudo-Hermitian adjoint or regular matrix representation. The eigenvalues of the latter matrix are the natural frequencies of the Hamiltonian operator. When all the eigenvalues of the matrix are real, then the spectrum of the symmetric Hamiltonian is real and the operator is Hermitian. As illustrative examples we choose the quadratic Hamiltonians that model a pair of coupled resonators with balanced gain and loss, the electromagnetic self-force on an oscillating charged particle and an ac…
It is believed that unbroken PT symmetry is sufficient to guarantee that the spectrum of a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian is real. We prove that this is not true. We study a Hamiltonian with complex spectrum for which PT symmetry is not spontaneously broken.
A non-standard generalisation of the Bender potentials $x^2(\ii x^\ve)$ is suggested. The spectra are obtained numerically and some of their particular properties are discussed.
The supersymmetric solutions of PT-symmetric and Hermitian/non-Hermitian forms of quantum systems are obtained by solving the Schrodinger equation for the Exponential-Cosine Screened Coulomb potential. The Hamiltonian hierarchy inspired variational method is used to obtain the approximate energy eigenvalues and corresponding wave functions.
A family of spherical non-Hermitian potentials is studied. It is shown that the corresponding non-Hermitian Hamiltonians admit some "new" P$phi$T$phi$-symmetry. It is observed that whilst such P$phi$T$phi$-symmetric Hamiltonians just copy the eigenvalues of V(r), the corresponding wavefunctions would rather indulge some new probabilistic interpretations due to the change in the azimuthal part.
The supersymmetric solutions of PT-/non-PT-symmetric and non-Hermitian deformed Morse and Pöschl-Teller potentials are obtained by solving the Schrödinger equation. The Hamiltonian hierarchy method is used to get the real energy eigenvalues and corresponding eigenfunctions. \newline {PACS:05.20.-y; 05.30.-d; 05.70. Ce; 03.65.-w}\newline {\it Keywords}{\small : Supersymmetric quantum mechanics, Hamiltonian Hierarchy Method, Morse potential, Pöschl-Teller potential}
Parity-time (PT) symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians bring about many novel features and interesting applications such as quantum gates faster than those in Hermitian systems, and topological state transfer. The performance of evolutions under $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric Hamiltonians is degraded by the inevitable noise and errors due to system-environment interaction and experimental imperfections. In contrast to Hermitian Hamiltonians, the fluctuations in dissipative beams that are utilized to generate non-Hermitian contributions in the PT-symmetric Hamiltonians cause additional errors. Here we…
An analytical approximation for the eigenvalues of $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetric Hamiltonian $\mathsf{H} = -d^{2}/dx^{2} - (\mathrm{i}x)^{ε+2}$, $ε> -1$ is developed via simple basis sets of harmonic-oscillator wave functions with variable frequencies and equilibrium positions. We demonstrate that our approximation provides high accuracy for any given energy level for all values of $ε> -1$.
We in this paper demonstrate that the $PT$-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonian for a periodically driven system can be generated from a kernel Hamiltonian by a generalized gauge transformation. The kernel Hamiltonian is Hermitian and static, while the time-dependent transformation operator has to be $PT$ symmetric and non-unitary in general. Biorthogonal sets of eigenstates appear necessarily as a consequence of non-Hermitian Hamiltonian. We obtain analytically the wave functions and associated non-adiabatic Berry phase $γ_{n}$ for the $n$th eigenstate. The classical version of the non-Hermiti…
We utilize quantum Fisher information to investigate the damping parameter precision of a dissipative qubit. PT symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonian is used to enhance the parameter precision in two models: one is direct PT symmetric quantum feedback; the other is that the damping rate is encoded into a effective PT symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonian conditioned on the absence of decay events. We find that compared with the case without feedback and with Hermitian quantum feedback, direct PT symmetric non-Hermitan quantum feedback can obtain better precision of damping rate. And in the second …
We extend the study of supersymmetric tridiagonal Hamiltonians to the case of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with real or complex conjugate eigenvalues. We find the relation between matrix elements of the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian $H$ and its supersymmetric partner $H^{+}$ in a given basis. Moreover, the orthogonal polynomials in the eigenstate expansion problem attached to $H^{+}$ can be recovered from those polynomials arising from the same problem for $H$ with the help of kernel polynomials. Besides its generality, the developed formalism in this work is a natural home for using the numerically…
We discuss three Hamiltonians, each with a central-field part $H_{0}$ and a PT-symmetric perturbation $igz$. When $H_{0}$ is the isotropic Harmonic oscillator the spectrum is real for all $g$ because $H$ is isospectral to $H_{0}+g^{2}/2$. When $H_{0}$ is the Hydrogen atom then infinitely many eigenvalues are complex for all $g$. If the potential in $H_{0}$ is linear in the radial variable $r$ then the spectrum of $H$ exhibits real eigenvalues for $0<g<g_{c}$ and a PT phase transition at $g_c$.
We apply the quantum Hamilton-Jacobi formalism, naturally defined in the complex domain, to a number of complex Hamiltonians, characterized by discrete parity and time reversal (PT) symmetries and obtain their eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. Examples of both quasi-exactly and exactly solvable potentials are analyzed and the subtle differences, in the singularity structures of their quantum momentum functions, are pointed out. The role of the PT symmetry in the complex domain is also illustrated.
We present results concerning aspects of quantum thermodynamics under the background of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics for the dynamics of a quantum harmonic oscillator. Since a better control over the parameters in quantum thermodynamics processes is desired, we use concepts from collisional model to introduce a simple prototype of thermal reservoir based on $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric Hamiltonians and study its effects under the thermalization process of a single harmonic oscillator prepared in a displaced thermal state. We verify that controlling the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric features of the r…
The concept of parity-time (PT) symmetry originates from the framework of quantum mechanics, where if the Hamiltonian operator satisfies the commutation relation with the parity and time operators, it shows all real eigen-energy spectrum. Recently, PT symmetry was introduced into optics, electronic circuits, acoustics, and so many other classical fields to further study the dynamics of the Hamiltonian and the energy of the system. Focusing on the dynamical evolution of the quantum state under the action of PT symmetric Hamiltonian, here we experimentally demonstrated the general dynamical evol…
We formulate a systematic algorithm for constructing a whole class of Hermitian position-dependent-mass Hamiltonians which, to lowest order of perturbation theory, allow a description in terms of PT-symmetric Hamiltonians. The method is applied to the Hermitian analogue of the PT-symmetric cubic anharmonic oscillator. A new example is provided by a Hamiltonian (approximately) equivalent to a PT-symmetric extension of the one-parameter trigonometric Poschl-Teller potential.
For the symmetric harmonic oscillator and the symmetric bouncer defined in 2-D, two different Hamiltonian are given describing the same classical dynamics; however, their quantum dynamics behavior are different.
We examine in detail the possibilty of applying Darboux transformation to non Hermitian hamiltonians. In particular we propose a simple method of constructing exactly solvable PT symmetric potentials by applying Darboux transformation to higher states of an exactly solvable PT symmetric potential. It is shown that the resulting hamiltonian and the original one are pseudo supersymmetric partners. We also discuss application of Darboux transformation to hamiltonians with spontaneously broken PT symmetry.
To find and realize the optimal evolution between two states is significant both in theory and application. In quantum mechanics, the minimal evolution is bounded by the gap between the largest and smallest eigenvalue of the Hamiltonian. In the parity-time-symmetric(PT-symmetric) Hamiltonian theory, it was predicted that the optimized evolution time can be reduced drastically comparing to the bound in the Hermitian case, and can become even zero. In this Letter, we report the experimental observation of the fast evolution of a PT-symmetric Hamiltonian in an nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) qua…
We study in this paper the time evolution of $PT$-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonian consisting of periodically driven $SU(1,1)$ generators. A non-Hermitian invariant operator is adopted to solve the Schrödinger equation, since the time-dependent Hamiltonian is no longer a conserved quantity. We propose a scheme to construct the non-Hermitian invariant with a $PT$-symmetric but non-unitary transformation operator. The eigenstates of invariant and its complex conjugate form a bi-orthogonal basis to formulate the exact solution. We obtain the non-adiabatic Berry phase, which reduces to the adia…
Searching for non-Hermitian (parity-time)$\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric Hamiltonians \cite{bender} with real spectra has been acquiring much interest for fourteen years. In this article, we have introduced a $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonian model which is given as $\hat{\mathcal{H}}=ω(\hat{b}^\dagger\hat{b}+\frac{1}{2})+ α(\hat{b}^{2}-(\hat{b}^\dagger)^{2})$ where $ω$ and $α$ are real constants, $\hat{b}$ and $\hat{b^\dagger}$ are first order differential operators. Moreover, Pseudo-Hermiticity that is a generalization of $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry has been attracting a growing intere…
Bootstrapping in Quantum Mechanics uses positivity condition to derive the Eigenspectum. For non-hermitian systems usual positivity condition does not work. In this paper we define positivity condition for special class of non-hermitian hamiltonian, the PT symmetric Hamiltonian. We illustrate this modified positivity condition with several examples and obtain eigenspectrum.
We present a method to experimentally realize large-scale permutation-symmetric Hamiltonians for continuous-time quantum protocols such as quantum walk and adiabatic quantum computation. In particular, the method can be used to perform an encoded continuous-time quantum search on a hypercube graph with 2^n vertices encoded into 2n qubits. We provide details for a realistically achievable implementation in Rydberg atomic systems. Although the method is perturbative, the realization is always achieved at second order in perturbation theory, regardless of the size of the mapped system. This highl…
The Hilbert space in PT-symmetric quantum mechanics is formulated as a linear vector space with a dynamic inner product. The most general PT-symmetric matrix Hamiltonians are constructed for 2*2 and 3*3 cases. In the former case, the PT-symmetric Hamiltonian represents the most general matrix Hamiltonian with a real spectrum. In both cases, Hermitian matrices are shown to be special cases of PT-symmetric matrices. This finding confirms and strengthens the early belief that the PT-symmetric quantum mechanics is a generalization of the conventional Hermitian quantum mechanics.
Quantum annealing (QA) is a promising approach for not only solving combinatorial optimization problems but also simulating quantum many-body systems such as those in condensed matter physics. However, non-adiabatic transitions constitute a key challenge in QA. The choice of the drive Hamiltonian is known to affect the performance of QA because of the possible suppression of non-adiabatic transitions. Here, we propose the use of a drive Hamiltonian that preserves the symmetry of the problem Hamiltonian for more efficient QA. Owing to our choice of the drive Hamiltonian, the solution is searche…
We have studied a three-level Λ-type atomic system with all the energy levels exhibiting decay. The system is described by a pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian and subject to certain conditions, the Hamiltonian shows parity-time (PT) symmetry. The probability amplitudes of various atomic levels both below and above the PT-theshold is worked out.
Matrix quasi exactly solvable operators are considered and new conditions are determined to test whether a matrix differential operator possesses one or several finite dimensional invariant vector spaces. New examples of $2\times 2$-matrix quasi exactly solvable operators are constructed with the emphasis set on PT-symmetric Hamiltonians.
In this work we consider a generalization of the symmetry classification of topological insulators to non-Hermitian Hamiltonians which satisfy a combined $PT$-symmetry (parity and time-reversal). We show via examples, and explicit bulk and boundary state proofs that the typical paradigm of forming topological insulator states from Dirac Hamiltonians is not compatible with the construction of non-Hermitian $PT$-symmetric Hamiltonians. The topological insulator states are $PT$-breaking phases and have energy spectra which are complex (not real) and thus such non-Hermitian Hamiltonians are not co…
We associate to every quantum channel $T$ acting on a Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$ a pair of Hamiltonian operators over the symmetric subspace of $\mathcal{H}^{\otimes 2}$. The expectation values of these Hamiltonians over symmetric product states give either the purity or the pure state fidelity of $T$. This allows us to analytically compute these measures for a wide class of channels, and to identify states that are optimal with respect to these measures.
We extend the application of the techniques developed within the framework of the pseudo-Hermitian quantum mechanics to study a unitary quantum system described by an imaginary PT-symmetric potential v(x) having a continuous real spectrum. For this potential that has recently been used, in the context of optical potentials, for modelling the propagation of electromagnetic waves travelling in a wave guide half and half filed with gain and absorbing media, we give a perturbative construction of the physical Hilbert space, observables, localized states, and the equivalent Hermitian Hamiltonian. I…
A class of spherically symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians and their η-weak-pseudo-Hermiticity generators are presented. An operators-based procedure is introduced so that the results for the 1D Schrodinger Hamiltonian may very well be reproduced. A generalization beyond the nodeless states is proposed. Our illustrative examples include η-weak-pseudo-Hermiticity generators for the non-Hermitian weakly perturbed 1D and radial oscillators, the non-Hermitian perturbed radial Coulomb, and the non-Hermitian radial Morse models.
We discuss how introducing an equilibrium frame, in which a given Hamiltonian has balanced loss and gain terms, can reveal PT symmetry hidden in non-Hermitian Hamiltonians of dissipative systems. Passive PT-symmetric Hamiltonians, in which only loss is present and gain is absent, can also display exceptional points, just like PT-symmetric systems, and therefore are extensively investigated. We demonstrate that non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, which can be divided into a PT-symmetric term and a term commuting with the Hamiltonian, possess hidden PT symmetries. These symmetries become apparent in the…
Parity-time ($PT$) symmetric Hamiltonians are generally non-Hermitian and give rise to exotic behaviour in quantum systems at exceptional points, where eigenvectors coalesce. The recent realisation of $PT$-symmetric Hamiltonians in quantum systems has ignited efforts to simulate and investigate many-particle quantum systems across exceptional points. Here we use a programmable integrated photonic chip to simulate a model comprised of twin pairs of $PT$-symmetric Hamiltonians, with each the time reverse of its twin. We simulate quantum dynamics across exceptional points including two- and three…
The physical condition that the expectation values of physical observables are real quantities is used to give a precise formulation of PT-symmetric quantum mechanics. A mathematically rigorous proof is given to establish the physical equivalence of PT-symmetric and conventional quantum mechanics. The results reported in this paper apply to arbitrary PT-symmetric Hamiltonians with a real and discrete spectrum. They hold regardless of whether the boundary conditions defining the spectrum of the Hamiltonian are given on the real line or a complex contour.
In this paper, we consider a typical continuous two dimensional $\cal PT$-symmetric Hamiltonian and propose two different approaches to quantitatively show the difference between the $η$-inner products. Despite the continuity of Hamiltonian, the $η$-inner product is not continuous in some sense. It is shown that the difference between the $η$-inner products of broken and unbroken $\cal PT$-symmetry is lower bounded. Moreover, such a property can lead to an uncertainty relation.
In this article, we discussed certain properties of non-Hermitian $\CP$-symmetry Hamiltonian, and it is shown that a consistent physical theory of quantum mechanics can be built on a ${\cal C} \CP$-symmetry Hamiltonian. In particular, we show that these theories have unitary time evolution, and conservation probability. Furthermore, transition from quantum mechanics to classical mechanics is investigate and it is found that the Ehrenfest theorem is satisfied.
Non-Hermitian but P(phi)T(phi)-symmetrized spherically-separable Dirac and Schrodinger Hamiltonians are considered. It is observed that the descendant Hamiltonians H(r), H(theta), and H(phi) play essential roles and offer some "user-feriendly" options as to which one (or ones) of them is (or are) non-Hermitian. Considering a P(phi)T(phi)-symmetrized H(phi), we have shown that the conventional Dirac (relativistic) and Schrodinger (non-relativistic) energy eigenvalues are recoverable. We have also witnessed an unavoidable change in the azimuthal part of the general wavefunction. Moreover, settin…
In this paper, a non-trivial system governed by a continuum PT-symmetric Hamiltonian is discussed. We show that this Hamiltonian is iso-spectral to the simple harmonic oscillator. We find its eigenfunctions and the path in the complex plane along which these functions form an orthonormal set. We also find the hidden symmetry operator, ${\cal C}$, for this system. All calculations are performed analytically and without approximation.
Two non-Hermitian PT-symmetric Hamiltonian systems are reconsidered by means of the algebraic method which was originally proposed for the pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian systems rather than for the PT-symmetric ones. Compared with the way converting a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian to its Hermitian counterpart, this method has the merit that keeps the Hilbert space of the non-Hermitian PT-symmetric Hamiltonian unchanged. In order to give the positive definite inner product for the PT-symmetric systems, a new operator V, instead of C, can be introduced. The operator V has the similar function to the o…
We present a large class of non-Hermitian non-PT-symmetric two-component Dirac Hamiltoninas with real energy spectra. These Hamiltonians are invariant under the combined action of "charge" conjugation (two-component transpose) and space-parity. Examples are given from the two subclasses of these systems having localized and/or continuum states with real energies.
While a Hamiltonian can be both Hermitian and $PT$ symmetric, it is $PT$ symmetry that is the more general, as it can lead to real energy eigenvalues even if the Hamiltonian is not Hermitian. We discuss some specific ways in which $PT$ symmetry goes beyond Hermiticity and is more far reaching than it. We show that simply by virtue of being the generator of time translations, the Hamiltonian must always be $PT$ symmetric, regardless of whether or not it might be Hermitian. We show that the reality of the Euclidean time path integral is a necessary and sufficient condition for $PT$ symmetry of a…
Carl Bender and collaborators have developed a quantum theory governed by Hamiltonians that are PT-symmetric rather than Hermitian. To implement this theory, the inner product was redefined to guarantee positive norms of eigenstates of the Hamiltonian. In the general case, which includes arbitrary time-dependence in the Hamiltonian, a modification of the Schrodinger equation is necessary as shown by Gong and Wang to conserve probability. In this paper, we derive the following selection rule: transitions induced by time dependence in a PT-symmetric Hamiltonian cannot occur between normalized st…
In a recent paper Jones and Mateo used operator techniques to show that the non-Hermitian $\cP\cT$-symmetric wrong-sign quartic Hamiltonian $H=\half p^2-gx^4$ has the same spectrum as the conventional Hermitian Hamiltonian $\tilde H=\half p^2+4g x^4-\sqrt{2g} x$. Here, this equivalence is demonstrated very simply by means of differential-equation techniques and, more importantly, by means of functional-integration techniques. It is shown that the linear term in the Hermitian Hamiltonian is anomalous; that is, this linear term has no classical analog. The anomaly arises because of the broken pa…
We investigate properties of the most general PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonian of cubic order in the annihilation and creation operators as a ten parameter family. For various choices of the parameters we systematically construct an exact expression for a metric operator and an isospectral Hermitian counterpart in the same similarity class by exploiting the isomorphism between operator and Moyal products. We elaborate on the subtleties of this approach. For special choices of the ten parameters the Hamiltonian reduces to various models previously studied, such as to the complex cubic pot…
The $(3 + 1)$-dimensional (generalized) Dirac equation is shown to have the same form as the equation expressing the condition that a given point lies on a given line in 3-dimensional projective space. The resulting Hamiltonian with a $γ_5$ mass term is not Hermitian, but is invariant under the combined transformation of parity reflection $\cal P$ and time reversal $\cal T$. When the $\cal PT$ symmetry is unbroken, the energy spectrum of the free spin-$\frac {1}{2}$ theory is real, with an appropriately shifted mass.
A possible method to investigate non-Hermitian Hamiltonians is suggested through finding a Hermitian operator $η_+$ and defining the annihilation and creation operators to be $η_+$-pseudo-Hermitian adjoint to each other. The operator $η_+$ represents the $η_+$-pseudo-Hermiticity of Hamiltonians. As an example, a non-Hermitian and non-$PT$-symmetric Hamiltonian with imaginary linear coordinate and linear momentum terms is constructed and analyzed in detail. The operator $η_+$ is found, based on which, a real spectrum and a positive-definite inner product, together with the probability explanati…
