In conventional Schrödinger representation the unitarity of the evolution of bound states is guaranteed by the Hermiticity of the Hamiltonian. A non-unitary isospectral simplification of the Hamiltonian, $\mathfrak{h} \to H=Ω\,\mathfrak{h}\,Ω\neq H^\dagger$ induces the change ${\cal L} \to {\cal K}$ of the Hilbert space of states, reflected by the loss of the Hermiticity of $H\neq H^\dagger$. In such a reformulation of the theory the introduction of an {\it ad hoc} inner-product metric reconverts ${\cal K}$ into the third, correct physical Hilbert space ${\cal H}$, unitarily equivalent to ${\cal L}$. The situation encountered, typically, in ${\cal PT}-$symmetric or relativistic quantum mechanics is shown more complicated after an inclusion of perturbations. The formulation and solution of the problem are presented. Some of the consequences relevant, e.g., in the analysis of stability are discussed.
We discuss the dynamical quantum systems which turn out to be bi-unitary with respect to the same alternative Hermitian structures in a infinite-dimensional complex Hilbert space. We give a necessary and sufficient condition so that the Hermitian structures are in generic position. Finally the transformations of the bi-unitary group are explicitly obtained.
The PT-symmetric (PTS) quantum brachistochrone problem is reanalyzed as quantum system consisting of a non-Hermitian PTS component and a purely Hermitian component simultaneously. Interpreting this specific setup as subsystem of a larger Hermitian system, we find non-unitary operator equivalence classes (conjugacy classes) as natural ingredient which contain at least one Dirac-Hermitian representative. With the help of a geometric analysis the compatibility of the vanishing passage time solution of a PTS brachistochrone with the Anandan-Aharonov lower bound for passage times of Hermitian brach…
We propose a method of computing and studying entanglement quantities in non-Hermitian systems by use of a biorthogonal basis. We find that the entanglement spectrum characterizes the topological properties in terms of the existence of mid-gap states in the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model with parity and time-reversal symmetry (PT symmetry) and the non-Hermitian Chern insulators. In addition, we find that at a critical point in the PT symmetric SSH model, the entanglement entropy has a logarithmic scaling with corresponding central charge $c=-2$. This critical point then is a fr…
We provide a new perspective on non-Hermitian evolution in quantum mechanics by emphasizing the same method as in the Hermitian quantum evolution. We first give a precise description of the non unitary evolution, and collecting the basic results around it and postulating the norm preserving. This cautionary postulate imposing that the time evolution of a non Hermitian quantum system preserves the inner products between the associated states must not be read naively. We also give an example showing that the solutions of time-dependent non Hermitian Hamiltonian systems given by a linear combinat…
Observables are believed that they must be Hermitian in quantum theory. Based on the obviously physical fact that only eigenstates of observable and its corresponding probabilities, i.e., spectrum distribution of observable are actually observed, we argue that observables need not necessarily to be Hermitian. More generally, observables should be reformulated as normal operators including Hermitian operators as a subclass. This reformulation is consistent with the quantum theory currently used and does not change any physical results. The Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) inequality is taken a…
A reformulation of quantum mechanics called ``hybrid interaction picture'' (HIP) is proposed. In contrast to its current non-Hermitian-interaction-picture (NIP) predecessor the new formalism combines a simplification of the NIP Hilbert-space metric with an innovative preconditioning of the observables of interest. Via an illustrative example it is shown that the idea might open new ways towards optimal model-building strategies in quantum theory of unitary systems.
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…
The phenomenon of degeneracy of an $N-$plet of bound states is studied in the framework of quantum theory of closed (i.e., unitary) systems. For an underlying Hamiltonian $H=H(λ)$ the degeneracy occurs at a Kato's exceptional point $λ^{(EPN)}$ of order $N$ and of the spectral geometric multiplicity $K<N$. In spite of the phenomenological appeal of the concept (tractable as a quantum phase transition, or as a unitary processes of the loss of the observability of the system), the dedicated literature deals, predominantly, just with the models where $N=2$ and $K=1$. In our paper it is shown that …
We study Hermitian unitary matrices $\mathcal{S}\in\mathbb{C}^{n,n}$ with the following property: There exist $r\geq0$ and $t>0$ such that the entries of $\mathcal{S}$ satisfy $|\mathcal{S}_{jj}|=r$ and $|\mathcal{S}_{jk}|=t$ for all $j,k=1,\ldots,n$, $j\neq k$. We derive necessary conditions on the ratio $d:=r/t$ and show that these conditions are very restrictive except for the case when $n$ is even and the sum of the diagonal elements of $§$ is zero. Examples of families of matrices $\mathcal{S}$ are constructed for $d$ belonging to certain intervals. The case of real matrices $\mathcal{S}$…
We introduce Gilmore-Perelomov coherent states for non-unitary representations of non-compact groups, and discuss the main similarities and differences with respect to ordinary unitary Gilmore-Perelomov coherent states. The example of coherent states for the non-unitary finite dimensional representations of $SU(1,1)$ is considered and they are used to describe the propagation of light in coupled PT-symmetric optical devices.
Non-Hermitian degeneracies are classified as defective and nondefective exceptional points~(EP). While in defective EPs, both eigenvalues and eigenenergies coalesce, nondefective EPs are characterized merely by the occurrence of degeneracies in their eigenvalues. It is also known that all degeneracies are either symmetry-protected or accidental. In this paper, I prove that anti-unitary symmetries protect all nondefective twofold EPs. By developing a 2D non-Hermitian tight-binding model, I have demonstrated that these symmetries are composite of various symmetry operations such as discrete or s…
The Hermitian systems possess unitary scattering; however, the Hermiticity is unnecessary for a unitary scattering although the scattering under the influence of non-Hermiticity is mostly non-unitary. Here we prove that the unitary scattering is protected by certain type of pseudo-Hermiticity and unaffected by the degree of non-Hermiticity. The energy conservation is violated in the scattering process and recovers after scattering. The subsystem of the pseudo-Hermitian scattering center including only the connection sites is Hermitian. These findings provide fundamental insights on the unitary…
Non-Hermitian topological phases exhibit a number of exotic features that have no Hermitian counterparts, including the skin effect and breakdown of the conventional bulk-boundary correspondence. Here, we implement the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) Hamiltonian, which is a prototypical model for studying non-Hermitian topological phases, with a solid-state quantum simulator consisting of an electron spin and a $^{13}$C nuclear spin in a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in a diamond. By employing a dilation method, we realize the desired non-unitary dynamics for the electron spin and map …
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 show that a quantum system possessing an exact antilinear symmetry, in particular PT-symmetry, is equivalent to a quantum system having a Hermitian Hamiltonian. We construct the unitary operator relating an arbitrary non-Hermitian Hamiltonian with exact PT-symmetry to a Hermitian Hamiltonian. We apply our general results to PT-symmetry in finite-dimensions and give the explicit form of the above-mentioned unitary operator and Hermitian Hamiltonian in two dimensions. Our findings lead to the conjecture that non-Hermitian CPT-symmetric field theories are equivalent to certain nonlocal Hermiti…
The non-Hermitian Schrödinger equation is re-expressed generally in the form of Hamilton's canonical equation without any approximation. Its quantization called non-Hermitian quantum field theory is discussed. By virtue of the canonical equation, the theory of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics is totally reformulated, including the probability amplitudes of states, the expectations of operators, as well as the expressions of interaction terms. The conventional difficulties in non-Hermitian quantum mechanics are totally overcome by the reformulation. Specifically, the imaginary parts the non-Herm…
The quantum measurement axiom dictates that physical observables and in particular the Hamiltonian must be diagonalizable and have a real spectrum. For a time-independent Hamiltonian (with a discrete spectrum) these conditions ensure the existence of a positive-definite inner product that renders the Hamiltonian self-adjoint. Unlike for a time-independent Hamiltonian, this does not imply the unitarity of the Schroedinger time-evolution for a general time-dependent Hamiltonian. We give an additional necessary and sufficient condition for the unitarity of time-evolution. In particular, we obtain…
A non-Hermitian operator with a real spectrum and a complete set of eigenvectors may serve as the Hamiltonian operator for a unitary quantum system provided that one makes an appropriate choice for the defining inner product of the physical Hilbert state. We study the consequences of such a choice for the representation of states in terms of projection operators and the geometry of the state space. This allows for a careful treatment of the quantum Brachistochrone problem and shows that it is indeed impossible to achieve faster unitary evolutions using PT-symmetric or other non-Hermitian Hamil…
In arXiv:0710.5653v1 M. Znojil claims that he has found and corrected an error in my paper: [Phys. Lett. B \textbf{650}, 208 (2007), arXiv:0706.1872v2] and that it is possible to escape its main conclusion, namely that the unitarity of the time-evolution and observability of the Hamiltonian imply time-independence of the metric operator. In this note I give a very short calculation showing that the analysis given by M. Znojil also leads to the same conclusion as of my above-mentioned paper. This is actually a reconfirmation of the validity of the results of the latter paper.
A class of non-Dirac-hermitian many-particle quantum systems admitting entirely real spectra and unitary time-evolution is presented. These quantum models are isospectral with Dirac-hermitian systems and are exactly solvable. The general method involves a realization of the basic canonical commutation relations defining the quantum system in terms of operators those are hermitian with respect to a pre-determined positive definite metric in the Hilbert space. Appropriate combinations of these operators result in a large number of pseudo-hermitian quantum systems admitting entirely real spectra …
Non-unitary operations generated by an effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonian can be used to create quantum state manipulations which are impossible in Hermitian quantum mechanics. These operations include state preparation (or cooling) and non-orthogonal state discrimination. In this work we put a lower bound on the resources needed for the construction of some given non-unitary evolution. Passive systems are studied in detail and a general feature of such a system is derived. After interpreting our results using the singular value decomposition, several examples are studied analytically. In par…
I point out that if one defines the operator $U_R(t)$ as done by M. Znojil in his reply [arXiv:0711.0514v1] to my comment [arXiv:0711.0137v1] and also accepts the validity of the defining relation of $U_R(t)$ as given in his paper [arXiv:0710.5653v1], one finds that the time-evolution of the associated quantum system is not governed by the Schrödinger equation for the Hamiltonian operator $H$ but an operator $H'$ which differs from $H$ if the metric operator is time-dependent. In the latter case this effective Hamiltonian $H'$ is not observable. This is consistent with the conclusions of my pa…
Minimal, open quantum systems that are governed by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians have been realized across multiple platforms in the past two years. Here we investigate the dynamics of open systems with Hermitian or anti-Hermitian Hamiltonians, both of which can be implemented in such platforms. For a single system subject to unitary and thermal dynamics in a periodic manner, we show that the corresponding Floquet Hamiltonian has a rich phase diagram with numerous exceptional-point (EP) degeneracy contours. This protocol can be used to realize a quantum Hatano-Nelson model that is characterized b…
Motivated by the existence of bi-Hamiltonian classical systems and the correspondence principle, in this paper we analyze the problem of finding Hermitian scalar products which turn a given flow on a Hilbert space into a unitary one. We show how different invariant Hermitian scalar products give rise to different descriptions of a quantum system in the Ehrenfest and Heisenberg picture.
We first recall a fact which is well-known among mathematical physicists although lesser-known among theoretical physicists that the standard quantum mechanics over a complex Hilbert space, is a Hamiltonian mechanics, regarding the Hilbert space as a linear real manifold equipped with its canonical symplectic form and restricting only to the expectation-value functions of Hermitian operators. Then in this framework, we reformulate the structure of quantum mechanics in the language of symplectic manifolds and avoid linear structure of Hilbert space in such a way that the results can be stated f…
We investigate the properties of two anti-parity-time (anti-PT )-symmetric four-site scattering centers. The anti-PT -symmetric scattering center may have imaginary couplings, real couplings, and real on-site potentials. The only difference between the two scattering centers is the coupling between two central sites of the scattering center, which plays a crucial role in determining the parity of anti-PT symmetry and significantly affects the scattering properties. For the imaginary coupling, the even-parity anti-PT -symmetric scattering center possesses nonunitary scattering and the differenc…
Topological phases and the associated multiple edge states are studied for parity and time-reversal $(\mathcal{PT})$ symmetric non-Hermitian open quantum systems by constructing a non-unitary three-step quantum walk retaining $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry in one dimension. We show that the non-unitary quantum walk has large topological numbers of the $\mathbb{Z}$ topological phase and numerically confirm that multiple edge states appear as expected from the bulk-edge correspondence. Therefore, the bulk-edge correspondence is valid in this case. Moreover, we study the stability of the multiple edge s…
We introduce the concept of Almost-Companion Matrix (ACM) by relaxing the non-derogatory property of the standard Companion Matrix (CM). That is, we define an ACM as a matrix whose characteristic polynomial coincides with a given monic and generally complex polynomial. The greater flexibility inherent in the ACM concept, compared to CM, allows the construction of ACMs that have convenient matrix structures satisfying desired additional conditions, compatibly with specific properties of the polynomial coefficients. We demonstrate the construction of Hermitian and Unitary ACMs starting from appr…
We study unitary evolution of bipartite entanglement in a circuit with nearest-neighbor random gates. Deriving a compact non-unitary description of purity dynamics on qudits we find a sudden transition in the purity relaxation rate the origin of which is in the underlying boundary localized eigenmodes -- the skin effect. We provide the full solution of the problem, being one of the simplest iterations of two-site matrices, namely, that each is a sum of only two projectors. This leads to rich dynamics influenced by the Jordan normal form of the kernel and, most importantly, a spectrum that is c…
We discuss transformations generated by dynamical quantum systems which are bi-unitary, i.e. unitary with respect to a pair of Hermitian structures on an infinite-dimensional complex Hilbert space. We introduce the notion of Hermitian structures in generic relative position. We provide few necessary and sufficient conditions for two Hermitian structures to be in generic relative position to better illustrate the relevance of this notion. The group of bi-unitary transformations is considered in both the generic and non-generic case. Finally, we generalize the analysis to real Hilbert spaces and…
The time-evolution operator obtained from the fractional-time Schrödinger equation (FTSE) is said to be non-unitary since it does not preserve the norm of the vector state in time. As done in the time-dependent non-Hermitian quantum formalism, for a traceless non-Hermitian two-level quantum system, we demonstrate that it is possible to map the non-unitary time-evolution operator in a unitary one. It is done by considering a dynamical Hilbert space with a time-dependent metric operator, constructed from a Hermitian time-dependent Dyson map, in respect to which the system evolves in a unitary wa…
We propose a quantum algorithm for finding eigenvalues of non-unitary matrices. We show how to construct, through interactions in a quantum system and projective measurements, a non-Hermitian or non-unitary matrix and obtain its eigenvalues and eigenvectors. This proposal combines ideas of frequent measurement, measured quantum Fourier transform, and quantum state tomography. It provides a generalization of the conventional phase estimation algorithm, which is limited to Hermitian or unitary matrices.
In his fresh "Comment" (arXiv:0711.0137v1), A. Mostafazadeh reacts on my very recent letter (arXiv:0710.5653v1) where I tried to clarify certain misunderstandings which occurred in A. M., Phys. Lett. B \textbf{650}, 208 (2007) [arXiv:0706.1872v2, "Paper"]. As long as the "Comment" offers a new support of the original assertions made in the "Paper", I feel obliged to re-clarify the matter by extending my argumentation. I insist that it is possible to escape the main conclusion of the "Paper", indeed. In particular, I point out a gap in the new calculations in "Comment", add a few remarks on the…
The phenomenon of quantum phase transition is considered in the special case in which the evolution laws remain unitary and in which the bound-state energies remain observable. The conventional Hermiticity of observables is lost at the interface, replaced by the so called quasi-Hermiticity. Several features of the passage of the system through the interface are discussed and illustrated by elementary illustrative ${\cal PT}-$symmetric examples.
An order $2m$ complex tensor $\cH$ is said to be Hermitian if \[\mathcal{H}_\ijm=\mathcal{H}_\jim ^*\mathrm{\ for\ all\ }\ijm .\] It can be regarded as an extension of Hermitian matrix to higher order. A Hermitian tensor is also seen as a representation of a quantum mixed state. Motivated by the separability discrimination of quantum states, we investigate properties of Hermitian tensors including: unitary similarity relation, partial traces, nonnegative Hermitian tensors, Hermitian eigenvalues, rank-one Hermitian decomposition and positive Hermitian decomposition, and their applications to qu…
In this paper we obtain a description of the Hermitian operators acting on the Hilbert space $\C^n$, description which gives a complete solution to the over parameterization problem. More precisely we provide an explicit parameterization of arbitrary $n$-dimensional operators, operators that may be considered either as Hamiltonians, or density matrices for finite-level quantum systems. It is shown that the spectral multiplicities are encoded in a flag unitary matrix obtained as an ordered product of special unitary matrices, each one generated by a complex $n-k$-dimensional unit vector, $k=0,1…
The author discusses a different kind of Hermitian quantum mechanics, called $J$-Hermitian quantum mechanics. He shows that $PT$-symmetric quantum mechanics is indeed $J$-Hermitian quantum mechanics, and that time evolution (in the Krein space of states) is unitary if and only if Hamiltonian is $J$-Hermitian (or equivalently $PT$-symmetric). An issue with unitarity comes up when time evolution is considered in the Hilbert space of states rather than in the Krein space of states. The author offers possible scenarios with this issue.
An ensemble of 2 x 2 pseudo-Hermitian random matrices is constructed that possesses real eigenvalues with level-spacing distribution exactly as for the Gaussian Unitary Ensemble found by Wigner. By a re-interpretation of Connes' spectral interpretation of the zeros of the Riemann zeta function, we propose to enlarge the scope of search of the Hamiltonian connected with the celebrated Riemann Hypothesis by suggesting that the Hamiltonian could also be PT-symmetric (or pseudo-Hermitian).
Being chosen as a differential operator of a special form, metric $η$ operator becomes unitary equivalent to a one-dimensional Hermitian Hamiltonian with a natural supersymmetric structure. We show that fixing the superpartner of this Hamiltonian permits to determine both the metric operator and corresponding non-Hermitian Hamiltonian. Moreover, under an additional restriction on the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, it becomes a superpartner of another Hermitian Hamiltonian.
In quantum mechanics the unitary evolution is most often described in a pre-selected Hilbert space ${\cal H}^{(textbook)}$ in which, due to the Stone theorem, the Schrödinger-picture Hamiltonian is self-adjoint, $\mathfrak{h}=\mathfrak{h}^\dagger$. Via a unitary transformation one can also translate the theory (i.e., usually, differential evolution equations) to the Heisenberg or interaction picture. Once we decide to treat ${\cal H}^{(textbook)}$ as a "Dyson's" non-unitary one-to-one image of a new, auxiliary Hilbert space ${\cal H}^{(friendlier)}$, the corresponding (i.e., presumably, user-f…
During the early history of unitary quantum theory the Kato's exceptional points (EPs, a.k.a. non-Hermitian degeneracies) of Hamiltonians $H(λ)$ did not play any significant role, mainly due to the Stone theorem which firmly connected the unitarity with the Hermiticity. During the recent wave of optimism people started believing that the corridors of a unitary access to the EPs could be opened leading, say, to a new picture of quantum phase transitions via an {\it ad hoc} weakening of the Hermiticty (replaced by the quasi-Hermiticity). Subsequently, the pessimism prevailed (the paths of access…
The time evolution of periodically driven non-Hermitian systems is in general non-unitary but can be stable. It is hence of considerable interest to examine the adiabatic following dynamics in periodically driven non-Hermitian systems. We show in this work the possibility of piecewise adiabatic following interrupted by hopping between instantaneous system eigenstates. This phenomenon is first observed in a computational model and then theoretically explained, using an exactly solvable model, in terms of the Stokes phenomenon. In the latter case, the piecewise adiabatic following is shown to be…
Discrete multiparametric 1D quantum well with PT-symmetric long-range boundary conditions is proposed and studied. As a nonlocal descendant of the square well families endowed with Dirac (i.e., Hermitian) and with complex Robin (i.e., non-Hermitian but still local) boundary conditions, the model is shown characterized by the survival of solvability in combination with an enhanced spectral-design flexibility. The solvability incorporates also the feasibility of closed-form constructions of the physical Hilbert-space inner products rendering the time-evolution unitary.
We consider one-dimensional Schroedinger-type operators in a bounded interval with non-self-adjoint Robin-type boundary conditions. It is well known that such operators are generically conjugate to normal operators via a similarity transformation. Motivated by recent interests in quasi-Hermitian Hamiltonians in quantum mechanics, we study properties of the transformations in detail. We show that they can be expressed as the sum of the identity and an integral Hilbert-Schmidt operator. In the case of parity and time reversal boundary conditions, we establish closed integral-type formulae for th…
