Recently, apparent nonphysical implications of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics (NHQM) have been discussed in the literature. In particular, the apparent violation of the no-signaling theorem, discrimination of nonorthogonal states, and the increase of quantum entanglement by local operations were reported, and therefore NHQM was not considered as a fundamental theory. Here we show that these and other no-go principles (including the no-cloning and no-deleting theorems) of conventional quantum mechanics still hold in finite-dimensional non-Hermitian quantum systems, including parity-time symmetric and pseudo-Hermitian cases, if its formalism is properly applied. We have developed a modified formulation of NHQM based on the geometry of Hilbert spaces which is consistent with the conventional quantum mechanics for Hermitian systems. Using this formulation the validity of these principles can be shown in a simple and uniform approach.
We give a simple proof of the fact that every diagonalizable operator that has a real spectrum is quasi-Hermitian and show how the metric operators associated with a quasi-Hermitian Hamiltonian are related to the symmetry generators of an equivalent Hermitian Hamiltonian.
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.
An algorithm for finding the bound-state eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of a Hermitian Hamiltonian operator using Green's method, developed by Waxman\cite{W98},has been extended to include non-Hermitian Hamiltonian operators.
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.
A complexified von Roos Hamiltonian is considered and a Hermitian first-order intertwining differential operator is used to obtain the related position dependent mass $η$-weak-pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians. Using a Liouvillean-type change of variables, the $η$-weak-pseudo-Hermitian von Roos Hamiltonians H(x) are mapped into the traditional Schrodinger Hamiltonian form H(q), where exact isospectral correspondence between H(x) and H(q) is obtained. Under a user-friendly position dependent mass settings, it is observed that for each exactly-solvable $η$-weak-pseudo-Hermitian reference-Hamiltonian…
We investigate some questions on the construction of $η$ operators for pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians. We give a sufficient condition which can be exploited to systematically generate a sequence of $η$ operators starting from a known one, thereby proving the non-uniqueness of $η$ for a particular pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian. We also study perturbed Hamiltonians for which $η$'s corresponding to the original Hamiltonian still work.
We explore a way of finding the link between a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian and a Hermitian one. Based on the analysis of Bethe Ansatz solutions for a class of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians and the scattering problems for the corresponding Hermitian Hamiltonians. It is shown that a scattering state of an arbitrary Hermitian lattice embedded in a chain as the scattering center shares the same wave function with the corresponding non-Hermitian tight binding lattice, which consists of the Hermitian lattice with two additional on-site complex potentials, no matter the non-Hermitian is broken PT symmetry…
In this work we address systems described by time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonians under time-dependent Dyson maps. We shown that when starting from a given time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonian which is not itself an observable, an infinite chain of gauge linked time-dependent non-observable non-Hermitian Hamiltonians can be derived from it. The matrix elements of the observables associated with all these non observable Hamiltonians are, however, all linked to each other, and in the particular case where global gauges exist, these matrix elements becomes all identical to each other. In…
Currently, it has been claimed that certain Hermitian Hamiltonians have parity (P) and they are PT-invariant. We propose generalized definitions of time-reversal operator (T) and orthonormality such that all Hermitian Hamiltonians are P, T, PT, and CPT invariant. The PT-norm and CPT-norm are indefinite and definite respectively. The energy-eigenstates are either E-type (e.g., even) or O-type (e.g., odd). C mimics the charge-conjugation symmetry which is recently found to exist for a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian. For a Hermitian Hamiltonian it coincides with P.
We generalize a recently proposed approach for the construction of pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians with real spectra. Present technique is based on a simple and straightforward similarity transformation of the coordinate and momentum.
We discuss Hamiltonian symmetries and invariants for quantum systems driven by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. For time-independent Hermitian Hamiltonians, a unitary or antiunitary transformation $AHA^\dagger$ that leaves the Hamiltonian $H$ unchanged represents a symmetry of the Hamiltonian, which implies the commutativity $[H,A]=0$, and a conservation law, namely the invariance of expectation values of $A$. For non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, $H^\dagger$ comes into play as a distinct operator that complements $H$ in generalized unitarity relations. The above description of symmetries has to be exten…
Simple examples of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with purely real spectra defined in $L^2(R^+)$ having spectral singularities inside the continuous spectrum are given. It is shown that such Hamiltonians may appear by shifting the ndependent variable of a real potential into the complex plane. Also they may be created as SUSY partners of Hermitian Hamiltonians. In the latter case spectral singularities of a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian are ordinary points of the continuous spectrum for its Hermitian SUSY partner. Conditions for transformation functions are formulated when a complex potential with com…
A condition to have a real spectrum for a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian is given. As special cases, it is shown that the condition is reduced to Hermiticity and PT symmetric conditions.
We study the time evolution of quantum systems with a time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonian given by a linear combination of SU(1,1) and SU(2) generators.With a time-dependent metric, the pseudo-Hermitian invariant operator is constructed in the same manner as for both the SU(1,1) and SU(2) systems. The exact common solutions of the Schrödinger equations for both the SU(1,1) and SU(2) systems are obtained in terms of eigenstates of the pseudo-Hermitian invariant operator.
The formalism for non-Hermitian quantum systems sometimes blurs the underlying physics. We present a systematic study of the vielbein-like formalism which transforms the Hilbert space bundles of non-Hermitian systems into the conventional ones, rendering the induced Hamiltonian to be Hermitian. In other words, any non-Hermitian Hamiltonian can be "transformed" into a Hermitian one without altering the physics. Thus we show how to find a reference frame (corresponding to Einstein's quantum elevator) in which a non-Hermitian system, equipped with a non-trivial Hilbert space metric, reduces to a …
We generalize a recently proposed algebraic method in order to treat non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. The approach is applied to several quadratic Hamiltonians studied earlier by other authors. Instead of solving the Schrödinger equation we simply obtain the eigenvalues of a suitable matrix representation of the operator. We take into account the existence of unitary and antiunitary symmetries in the quantum-mechanical problem.
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…
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.
We consider the description of open quantum systems with probability sinks (or sources) in terms of general non-Hermitian Hamiltonians.~Within such a framework, we study novel possible definitions of the quantum linear entropy as an indicator of the flow of information during the dynamics. Such linear entropy functionals are necessary in the case of a partially Wigner-transformed non-Hermitian Hamiltonian (which is typically useful within a mixed quantum-classical representation). Both the case of a system represented by a pure non-Hermitian Hamiltonian as well as that of the case of non-Hermi…
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.
Here we present an strategy for the derivation of a time-dependent Dyson map which ensures simultaneously the unitarity of the time evolution and the observability of a quasi-Hermitian Hamiltonian. The time-dependent Dyson map is derived through a constructed Schrödinger-like equation governed by the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian itself; despite its time-dependence our scheme ensures the time-independence of the metric operator, a necessary condition for the observability of the quasi-Hermitian Hamiltonian. As an illustrative example we consider a driven Harmonic oscillator described by a time-dep…
In contrast to classical systems, actual implementation of non-Hermitian Hamiltonian dynamics for quantum systems is a challenge because the processes of energy gain and dissipation are based on the underlying Hermitian system-environment dynamics that is trace preserving. Recently, a scheme for engineering non-Hermitian Hamiltonians as a result of repetitive measurements on an anicillary qubit has been proposed. The induced conditional dynamics of the main system is described by the effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonian arisng from the procedure. In this paper we demonstrate the effectiveness o…
We generalize the concept of population for non-Hermitian systems in different ways and identify the one best suited to characterize adiabaticity. An approximate adiabaticity criterion consistent with this choice is also worked out. Examples are provided for different processes involving two-level atoms with decay.
It is shown that the radial part of the Hydrogen Hamiltonian factorizes as the product of two not mutually adjoint first order differential operators plus a complex constant epsilon. The 1-susy approach is used to construct non-hermitian Hamiltonians with hydrogen spectra. Other non-hermitian Hamiltonians are shown to admit an extra `complex energy' at epsilon. New self-adjoint hydrogen-like Hamiltonians are also derived by using a 2-susy transformation with complex conjugate pairs epsilon, (c.c) epsilon.
We provide the first solution of a time-dependent metric operator for the non-Hermitian Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian. We use this solution to calculate the entanglement between two identical isolated such Hamiltonians. The presence of a non-Hermitian interaction term leads to a spontaneously broken $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regime which manifests itself in the exotic time-evolution of entanglement. When the symmetry is broken, oscillatory modes transition into decay. As such that there is a drastic difference in behaviour between the broken and unbroken regimes.
We extend the definition of generalized parity $P$, charge-conjugation $C$ and time-reversal $T$ operators to nondiagonalizable pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians, and we use these generalized operators to describe the full set of symmetries of a pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian according to a fourfold classification. In particular we show that $TP$ and $CTP$ are the generators of the antiunitary symmetries; moreover, a necessary and sufficient condition is provided for a pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian $H$ to admit a $P$-reflecting symmetry which generates the $P$-pseudounitary and the $P$-pseudoantiunit…
In principle, non-Hermitian quantum equations of motion can be formulated using as a starting point either the Heisenberg's or the Schrödinger's picture of quantum dynamics. Here it is shown in both cases how to map the algebra of commutators, defining the time evolution in terms of a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, onto a non-Hamiltonian algebra with a Hermitian Hamiltonian. The logic behind such a derivation is reversible, so that any Hermitian Hamiltonian can be used in the formulation of non-Hermitian dynamics through a suitable algebra of generalized (non-Hamiltonian) commutators. These result…
We investigate in this paper time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, which consist respectively of SU(1,1) and SU(2) generators. The former Hamiltonian is PT symmetric but the latter one is not. A time-dependent non-unitary operator is proposed to construct the non-Hermitian invariant, which is verified as pseudo-Hermitian with real eigenvalues. The exact solutions are obtained in terms of the eigenstates of the pseudo-Hermitian invariant operator for both the SU(1,1)and SU(2)systems in a unified manner. Then, we derive the LR phase, which can be separated to the dynamic phase and the geome…
We consider a class of (possibly nondiagonalizable) pseudo-Hermitian operators with discrete spectrum, showing that in no case (unless they are diagonalizable and have a real spectrum) they are Hermitian with respect to a semidefinite inner product, and that the pseudo-Hermiticity property is equivalent to the existence of an antilinear involutory symmetry. Moreover, we show that a typical degeneracy of the real eigenvalues (which reduces to the well known Kramers degeneracy in the Hermitian case) occurs whenever a fermionic (possibly nondiagonalizable) pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian admits an a…
In the context of two particularly interesting non-Hermitian models in quantum mechanics we explore the relationship between the original Hamiltonian H and its Hermitian counterpart h, obtained from H by a similarity transformation, as pointed out by Mostafazadeh. In the first model, due to Swanson, h turns out to be just a scaled harmonic oscillator, which explains the form of its spectrum. However, the transformation is not unique, which also means that the observables of the original theory are not uniquely determined by H alone. The second model we consider is the original PT-invariant Ham…
We calculate the eigenvalues of some two-dimensional non-Hermitian Hamiltonians by means of a pseudospectral method and straightforward diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix in a suitable basis set. Both sets of results agree remarkably well but differ considerably from the eigenvalues obtained some time ago by other authors. In particular, we do not observe the multiple phase transitions claimed to occur in one of the anharmonic oscillators.
We show that the consequences of an introduction of a manifest time-dependence in a pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian H=H(t) are by far less drastic than suggested by A. Mostafazadeh in Phys. Lett. B 650 (2007) 208 (arXiv:0706.1872v2 [quant-ph]). In particular, the unitarity of the evolution does not necessitate the time-independence of the metric $η_+=η_+(t)$.
It is shown that if a Hamiltonian $H$ is Hermitian, then there always exists an operator P having the following properties: (i) P is linear and Hermitian; (ii) P commutes with H; (iii) P^2=1; (iv) the nth eigenstate of H is also an eigenstate of P with eigenvalue (-1)^n. Given these properties, it is appropriate to refer to P as the parity operator and to say that H has parity symmetry, even though P may not refer to spatial reflection. Thus, if the Hamiltonian has the form H=p^2+V(x), where V(x) is real (so that H possesses time-reversal symmetry), then it immediately follows that H has PT sy…
It has been argued that it is incompatible to maintain unitary time-evolution for time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonians when the metric operator is explicitly time-dependent. We demonstrate here that the time-dependent Dyson equation and the time-dependent quasi-Hermiticity relation can be solved consistently in such a scenario for a time-dependent Dyson map and time-dependent metric operator, respectively. These solutions are obtained at the cost of rendering the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian to be a non-observable operator as it ceases to be quasi-Hermitian when the metric becomes time-depen…
We study the connection between a family of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians H and Hermitian ones H based on exact solutions. In general, for a dynamic process in a non-Hermitian system H, there always exists a parallel dynamic process governed by the corresponding Hermitian conjugate Hamiltonian H†. We show that a linear superposition of the two parallel dynamics is exactly equivalent to the time evolution of a state under a Hermitian Hamiltonian H. It reveals a novel connection between non-Hermitian and Hermitian systems.
The counterpart of the rotating wave approximation for non-Hermitian Hamiltonians is considered, which allows for the derivation of a suitable effective Hamiltonian for systems with some states undergoing decays. In the limit of very high decay rates, on the basis of this effective description we can predict the occurrence of a quantum Zeno dynamics which is interpreted as the removal of some coupling terms and the vanishing of an operatorial pseudo-Lamb shift.
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…
A non-Hermitian P$_ϕ$T$_ϕ$-symmetrized spherically-separable Dirac Hamiltonian is considered. It is observed that the descendant Hamiltonians H$_{r}$, H$_θ$, and H$_ϕ$ 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$_ϕ$T$_ϕ$-symmetrized H$_ϕ$, we have shown that the conventional relativistic energy eigenvalues are recoverable. We have also witnessed an unavoidable change in the azimuthal part of the general wavefunction. Moreover, setting a possible interaction $V(θ)$=0 in the descendant Hamiltonian H$_θ$ w…
We provide a reviewlike introduction into the quantum mechanical formalism related to non-Hermitian Hamiltonian systems with real eigenvalues. Starting with the time-independent framework we explain how to determine an appropriate domain of a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian and pay particular attention to the role played by PT-symmetry and pseudo-Hermiticity. We discuss the time-evolution of such systems having in particular the question in mind of how to couple consistently an electric field to pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians. We illustrate the general formalism with three explicit examples: i) the g…
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…
The concept of energy-dependent forces in quantum mechanics is re-analysed. We suggest a simplification of their study via the representation of each self-adjoint and energy-dependent Hamiltonian H=H(E) with real spectrum by an auxiliary non-Hermitian operator K which remains energy-independent. Practical merits of such an approach to the Schroedinger equations with energy-dependent potentials are illustrated using their quasi-exactly solvable example.
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}
For a T-periodic non-Hermitian Hamiltonian H(t), we construct a class of adiabatic cyclic states of period T which are not eigenstates of the initial Hamiltonian H(0). We show that the corresponding adiabatic geometric phase angles are real and discuss their relationship with the conventional complex adiabatic geometric phase angles. We present a detailed calculation of the new adiabatic cyclic states and their geometric phases for a non-Hermitian analog of the spin 1/2 particle in a precessing magnetic field.
We show that similarity (or equivalent) transformations enable one to construct non-Hermitian operators with real spectrum. In this way we can also prove and generalize the results obtained by other authors by means of a gauge-like transformation and its generalization. Such similarity transformations also reveal the connection with pseudo-Hermiticity in a simple and straightforward way. In addition to it we consider the positive and negative eigenvalues of a three-parameter non-Hermitian oscillator.
For a quantum system governed by a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, we studied the problem of obtaining an optimum Hamiltonian that generates nonunitary transformations of a given initial state into a certain final state in the smallest time $τ$. The analysis is based on the relationship between the states of the two-dimensional subspace of the Hilbert space spanned by the initial and final states and the points of the two-dimensional complex Bloch sphere.
A class of non-Hermitian d-dimensional Hamiltonias with position dependent mass and their $η$-pseudo-Hermiticity generators is presented. Illustrative examples are given in 1D, 2D, and 3D for different position dependent mass settings.
The complex eigenvalues of some non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, e.g. parity-time symmetric Hamiltonians, come in complex-conjugate pairs. We show that for non-Hermitian scattering Hamiltonians (of a structureless particle in one dimension) possesing one of four certain symmetries, the poles of the $S$-matrix eigenvalues in the complex momentum plane are symmetric about the imaginary axis, i.e. they are complex-conjugate pairs in complex-energy plane. This applies even to states which are not bounded eigenstates of the system, i.e. antibound or virtual states, resonances, and antiresonances. The fo…
We introduce and study a class of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians which have velocity dependent potentials. Since stability can not be advocated directly from the classical potential, we show that the energy spectra are real and bounded from below which proves the stability of the spectra of all members in the class. We find that the introduced class of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians do have a corresponding superpartner class of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. We were able to introduce supercharges which in conjunction with the corresponding super Hamiltonians constitute a closed super algebra. Among the i…
We present an evaluation of some recent attempts at understanding the role of pseudo-Hermitian and PT-symmetric Hamiltonians in modeling unitary quantum systems and elaborate on a particular physical phenomenon whose discovery originated in the study of complex scattering potentials.
We propose a scheme to deal with certain time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonian operators $H(t)$ that generate a real phase in their time-evolution. This involves the use of invariant operators $I_{PH}(t)$ that are pseudo-Hermitian with respect to the time-dependent metric operator, which implies that the dynamics is governed by unitary time evolution. Furthermore, $H(t)$ is not generally quasi-Hermitian and does not define an observable of the system but $I_{PH}(t)$ obeys a quasi-hermiticity transformation as in the completely time-independent Hamiltonian systems case. The harmonic oscillat…
We consider a generalization of the non-Hermitian ${\mathcal PT}$ symmetric Jaynes-Cummings {Hamiltonian, recently introduced for studying optical phenomena with time-dependent physical parameters, that includes environment-induced decay}. In particular, we investigate the interaction of a two-level fermionic system (such as a two-level atom) with a single bosonic field mode in a cavity. The states of {the} two-level system are allowed to decay because of the interaction with the environment, {and this is included phenomenologically in our non-Hermitian Hamiltonian by introducing complex energ…
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…
Imaginary eigenvalues of Hermitian Hamiltonian with an inverted potential well and transition to the real spectrum at exceptional point by a non-Hermitian interaction
Exceptional points (EPs) have recently attracted considerable attention in the study of non-Hermitian systems and in applications such as sensors and mode switching. In particular, nontrivial topological structures of EPs have been studied intensively in relation to encircling EPs. Thus, EP generation is currently an important issue in several fields. To generate multiple EPs, multiple levels or composite physical systems have been employed with Hermitian couplings. In this study, we generate multiple EPs on two-level systems in a single microcavity by adopting the non-Hermitian coupling of a …
Recently some authors have broadened the scope of canonical quantum mechanics by replacing the conventional Hermiticity condition on the Hamiltonian by a weaker requirement through the introduction of the notion of pseudo-Hermiticity. In the present study we investigate eigenvalues, transmission and reflection from complex optical potentials enjoying the property of pseudo-Hermiticity.
Explicitly time-dependent pseudo-Hermitian (TDPH) invariants theory systems, with a time-dependent (TD) metric, is developed for a time-dependent non Hermitian (TDNH) quantum systems. We derive a simple relation between the eigenstates of this pseudo-Hermitien (PH) invariant and the solutions of the Schrodinger equation. A physical system is treated in detail: the TD Swanson model, where an explicitly TDPH invariant is derived for this system, the eigenvalues and eigenstates of the invariant are calculated explicitly.
