Non-Hermitian systems can manifest rich static and dynamical properties at their exceptional points (EPs). Here, we identify yet another class of distinct phenomena that is hinged on EPs, namely, the emergence of a series of non-Hermitian conservation laws. We demonstrate these distinct phenomena concretely in the non-Hermitian Heisenberg chain and formulate a general theory for identifying these emergent non-Hermitian conservation laws at EPs. By establishing a one-to-one correspondence between the constant of motions at EPs and those in corresponding auxiliary Hermitian systems, we trace their physical origin back to the presence of emergent symmetries in the auxiliary systems. Concrete simulations on quantum circuits show that these emergent conserved dynamics can be readily observed in current digital quantum computing systems.
Exceptional points associated with non-hermitian operators, i.e. operators being non-hermitian for real parameter values, are investigated. The specific characteristics of the eigenfunctions at the exceptional point are worked out. Within the domain of real parameters the exceptional points are the points where eigenvalues switch from real to complex values. These and other results are exemplified by a classical problem leading to exceptional points of a non-hermitian matrix.
We show a parameter-dependent $3\times 3$ non-Hermitian matrix that exhibits both degeneracy and coalescence of eigenvalues at an exceptional point (Hermitian and non-Hermitian degeneracies). This simple non-Hermitian model is suitable for the discussion of those concepts in an undergraduate or graduate course on quantum-mechanics. We also study the symmetry group responsible for the degeneracy.
The exceptional points of non-Hermitian systems, where $n$ different energy eigenstates merge into an identical one, have many intriguing properties that have no counterparts in Hermitian systems. In particular, the $ε^{1/n}$ dependence of the energy level splitting on a perturbative parameter $ε$ near an $n$-th order exceptional point stimulates the idea of metrology with arbitrarily high sensitivity, since the susceptibility $dε^{1/n}/dε$ diverges at the exceptional point. Here we theoretically study the sensitivity of parameter estimation near the exceptional points, using the exact formali…
Non-Hermitian systems with parity-time symmetry have been developed rapidly and hold great promise for future applications. Unlike most existing works considering the symmetry of the free energy terms (e.g., gain-loss system), in this paper, we report that a realizable non-Hermitian interaction between two quantum resonances can also have a real spectrum after the exceptional point. That phenomenon is similar with that in the gain-loss system so that the non-Hermitian interaction can be an excellent substitute for quantum gain. Such a non-Hermitian interaction can be realized in designed optom…
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 …
Complex potential and non-Hermitian hopping amplitude are building blocks of a non-Hermitian quantum network. Appropriate configuration, such as PT-symmetric distribution, can lead to the full real spectrum. To investigate the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon, we study the phase diagram of a semi-infinite non-Hermitian system. It consists of a finite non-Hermitian cluster and a semi-infinite lead. Based on the analysis of the solution of the concrete systems, it is shown that it can have the full real spectrum without any requirements on the symmetry and the wave function within the lea…
In contrast to Hermitian systems, eigenstates of non-Hermitian ones are in general nonorthogonal. This feature is most pronounced at exceptional points where several eigenstates are linearly dependent. In this work we show that near this point a new effect takes place. It exhibits in energy increases in the system when its parameters change periodically. This effect resembles parametric resonance in a Hermitian system but there is a fundamental difference. It comes from the unique properties of the exceptional point that leads to parametric instability that occurs almost at any change in a par…
Exceptional points, the spectral degeneracy points in the complex parameter space, are fundamental to non-Hermitian quantum systems. The dynamics of non-Hermitian systems in the presence of exceptional points differ significantly from those of Hermitian ones. Here we investigate non-adiabatic transitions in non-Hermitian $\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}$-symmetric systems, in which the exceptional points are driven through at finite speed which are quadratic or cubic functions of time. We identity different transmission dynamics separated by exceptional points, and derive analytical approximate formula…
We study quantum phase transitions in non-Hermitian XY and transverse-field Ising spin chains, in which the non-Hermiticity arises from the imaginary magnetic field. Analytical and numerical results show that at exceptional points, coalescing eigenstates in these models close to W, distant Bell and GHZ states, which can be steady states in dynamical preparation scheme proposed by T. D. Lee et. al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 250401 (2014)). Selecting proper initial states, numerical simulations demonstrate the time evolution process to the target states with high fidelity.
Exceptional points are complex-valued spectral singularities that lead to a host of intriguing features such as loss-induced transparency - a counterintuitive process in which an increase in the system's overall loss can lead to enhanced transmission. In general, the associated enhancements scale with the order of the exceptional points. Consequently, it is of great interest to devise new strategies to implement realistic devices capable of exhibiting high-order exceptional points. Here, we show that high-order N-photon exceptional points can be generated by exciting non-hermitian waveguide ar…
The spectral and transport properties of a non-Hermitian tight-binding lattice with unidirectional hopping are theoretically investigated in three different geometrical settings. It is shown that, while for the infinitely-extended (open) and for the ring lattice geometries the spectrum is complex, lattice truncation makes the spectrum real. However, an exceptional point of order equal to the number of lattice sites emerges. When a homogeneous dc force is applied to the lattice, in all cases an equally-spaced real Wannier-Stark ladder spectrum is obtained, corresponding to periodic oscillatory …
We have investigated the exceptional points (EPs) which are degeneracies of a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, in the case that three modes are interacting with each other. Even though the parametric evolution of the modes cannot be uniquely determined when encircling more than two EPs once, we can recover the initial configuration of the modes by encircling two EPs three times or three EPs twice. We confirm our expectation by numerically calculating the modes of an open quantum system, two dielectric microdisks, and 3$\times$3 matrix model.
Non-Hermitian systems exhibit many peculiar dynamic behaviors which never showed up in Hermitian systems. The existence of spectral singularity (SS) for a non-Hermitian scattering center provides a lasing mechanism in the context of quantum mechanics. In this paper we show exactly that a finite system at exceptional point (EP) can also provide an alternative laser solution. We investigate the dynamics of non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model around EP, based on the analysis of parity-time (PT ) and chiral-time (CT ) symmetries of the Hamiltonian. In contrast to the SS lasing mechanism…
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…
We show that the author of a recent paper [arXiv:2008.04929] put forward some false statements about the eigenstates of Hermitian and non-Hermitian systems. We conjecture that one of the non-Hermitian Hamiltonians for a one-dimensional lattice is similar to an Hermitian one and, consequently, exhibits real eigenvalues. Present theoretical analysis of the eigenvalue equation suggests that one of the sets of numerical results in the criticized paper may not be correct.
Tuning topological phases and exceptional points in a non-Hermitian Rice Mele model beyond nearest neighbors
Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC)（圣塞巴斯蒂安国际物理中心）；Chemistry Faculty (UPV/EHU)（巴斯克地区理工大学化学学院）；IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science（伊克拉巴斯基奎巴斯克科学基金会）；Wrocław University of Science and Technology（弗罗茨瓦夫科技大学）
The balance of gain and loss in an open system may maintain certain Hermitian dynamical behaviors, which can be hardly observed in a popular Hermitian system. In this paper, we systematically study a 1D PT -symmetry non-Hermitian SSH model with open boundary condition based on exact approximate solution. We show that the long-wave length standing-wave modes can be achieved within the linear dispersion region when the system is tuned at the exceptional point (EP). The whole Hilbert space can be decomposed into two quasi-Hermitian subspaces, which are consisted of positive and negative energy le…
Entanglement Dynamics with a Stochastic Non-Hermitian Hamiltonian away from Exceptional Points
Beijing Computational Science Research Center（北京计算科学研究中心）；Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Southeast University（东南大学物理学院量子材料与器件教育部重点实验室）
Higher-order exceptional points (EPs), resulting from non-Hermitian degeneracies, have shown greater advantages in sensitive enhancement than second-order EPs (EP2s). Therefore, seeking higher-order EPs in various quantum systems is important for quantum information science. Here we propose a benchmark cavity optomechanical (COM) system consisting of a mechanical resonator (MR) coupled to two cavities via radiation pressure for predicting the third-order exceptional point (EP3). We first give the pseudo-Hermitian condition for the non-Hermitian COM system by taking the bath effects into accoun…
Non-Hermitian quantum systems with explicit time dependence are of ever-increasing importance. There are only a handful of models that have been analytically studied in this context. Here, a PT-symmetric non-Hermitian $N$-level Landau-Zener type problem with two exceptional points of $N$th order is introduced. The system is Hermitian for asymptotically large times, far away from the exceptional points, and has purely imaginary eigenvalues between the exceptional points. The full Landau-Zener transition probabilities are derived, and found to show a characteristic binomial behaviour. In the adi…
We systematically study the topology of the exceptional point (EP) in the finite non-Hermitian system. Based on the concrete form of the Berry connection, we demonstrate that the exceptional line (EL), at which the eigenstates coalesce, can act as a vortex filament. The direction of the EL can be identified by the corresponding Berry curvature. In this context, such a correspondence makes the topology of the EL clear at a glance. As an example, we apply this finding to the non-Hermitian Rice-Mele (RM) model, the non-Hermiticity of which arises from the staggered on-site complex potential. The …
The exceptional point, known as the non-Hermitian degeneracy, has special topological structure, leading to various counterintuitive phenomena and novel applications, which are refreshing our cognition of quantum physics. One particularly intriguing behavior is the mode switch phenomenon induced by dynamically encircling an exceptional point in the parameter space. While these mode switches have been explored in classical systems, the experimental investigation in the quantum regime remains elusive due to the difficulty of constructing time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonians in a real quantu…
Exceptional points (EPs), the degeneracy point of non-Hermitian systems, have recently attracted great attention after its ability to greatly enhance the sensitivity of micro-cavities is demonstrated experimentally. Unlike the usual degeneracies in Hermitian systems, at EPs, both the eigenenergies and eigenvectors coalesce. Although some of the exotic properties and potential applications of EPs are explored, the range of EPs studied is largely limited by the experimental capability. Some of the systems, e.g. with higher-order EPs, are hard to achieve with conventional simulations. Here we pro…
Non-Hermitian classical and open quantum systems near an exceptional point (EP) are known to undergo strong deviations in their dynamical behavior under small perturbations or slow cycling of parameters as compared to Hermitian systems. Such a strong sensitivity is at the heart of many interesting phenomena and applications, such as the asymmetric breakdown of the adiabatic theorem, enhanced sensing, non-Hermitian dynamical quantum phase transitions and photonic catastrophe. Like for Hermitian systems, the sensitivity to perturbations on the dynamical evolution can be captured by Loschmidt ech…
Engineered non-Hermitian systems featuring exceptional points can lead to a host of extraordinary phenomena in diverse fields ranging from photonics, acoustics, opto-mechanics, electronics, to atomic physics. Here we introduce and present non-Hermitian dynamics of coupled optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) arising from phase-sensitive amplification and de-amplification, and show their distinct advantages over conventional non-Hermitian systems relying on laser gain and loss. OPO-based non-Hermitian systems can benefit from the instantaneous nature of the parametric gain, noiseless phase-sen…
We present the observation of diabolic points in Hermitian and non-Hermitian electronics dimers. The condition of unbreakable Parity-time symmetry is established for both PT-symmetric ZRC and RLC dimers. We show how appears non-Hermitian degeneracy points in the spectrum and how they are protected against a Hermitian perturbation. When a non- Hermitian perturbation is added in the setup, the non-Hermitian diabolic point (NHDP) turns into a ring of exceptional points as in some Dirac and Weyl semimetals. Some experimental simulations of oscillations around these particular points in LTspice are…
Imaginary eigenvalues of Hermitian Hamiltonian with an inverted potential well and transition to the real spectrum at exceptional point by a non-Hermitian interaction
Floquet exceptional points correspond to the coalescence of two (or more) quasi-energies and corresponding Floquet eigenstates of a time-periodic non-Hermitian Hamiltonian. They generally arise when the oscillation frequency satisfies a multiphoton resonance condition. Here we discuss the interplay between Floquet exceptional points and the chiral dynamics observed, over several oscillation cycles, in a wide class of non-Hermitian systems when they are slowly cycled in opposite directions of parameter space.
We demonstrate the occurrence of nodal non-Hermitian (NH) phases featuring exceptional degeneracies in chiral-symmetric disordered quantum wires, where NH physics naturally arises from the self-energy in a disorder-averaged Green's function description. Notably, we find that at least two nodal points in the clean Hermitian system are required for exceptional points to be effectively stabilized upon adding disorder. We identify and study experimental signatures of our theoretical findings both in the spectral functions and in mesoscopic quantum transport properties of the considered systems. Ou…
Exceptional points are universal level degeneracies induced by non-Hermiticity. Whereas past decades witnessed their new physics, the unified understanding has yet to be obtained. Here we present the complete classification of generic topologically stable exceptional points according to two types of complex-energy gaps and fundamental symmetries of charge conjugation, parity, and time reversal. This classification reveals unique non-Hermitian gapless structures with no Hermitian analogs and systematically predicts unknown non-Hermitian semimetals and nodal superconductors; a topological dumbbe…
We investigate a non-Hermitian extension of Kitaev chain by considering imaginary $p$-wave pairing amplitudes. The exact solution shows that the phase diagram consists two phases with real and complex \ Bogoliubov-de-gens spectra, associated with $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking, which is separated by a hyperbolic exceptional line. The exceptional points (EPs) correspond to a specific Cooper pair state $( 1+c_{k}^{\dagger }c_{-k}^{\dagger }) \left\vert 0\right\rangle $\ with movable $k$ when the parameters vary along the exceptional line. The non-Hermiticity around EP supports resonant generat…
Using the method of point canonical transformation, we derive some exactly solvable rationally extended quantum Hamiltonians which are non-Hermitian in nature and whose bound state wave functions are associated with Laguerre- or Jacobi-type $X_1$ exceptional orthogonal polynomials. These Hamiltonians are shown, with the help of imaginary shift of co-ordinate: $ e^{-αp} x e^{αp} = x+ i α$, to be both quasi and pseudo-Hermitian. It turns out that the corresponding energy spectra is entirely real.
The usual concepts of topological physics, such as the Berry curvature, cannot be applied directly to non-Hermitian systems. We show that another object, the quantum metric, which often plays a secondary role in Hermitian systems, becomes a crucial quantity near exceptional points in non-Hermitian systems, where it diverges in a way that fully controls the description of wavepacket trajectories. The quantum metric behaviour is responsible for a constant acceleration with a fixed direction, and for a non-vanishing constant velocity with a controllable direction. Both contributions are independe…
So far, topological band theory is discussed mainly for systems described by eigenvalue problems. Here, we develop a topological band theory described by a generalized eigenvalue problem (GEVP). Our analysis elucidates that non-Hermitian topological band structures may emerge for systems described by a GEVP with Hermitian matrices. The above result is verified by analyzing a two-dimensional toy model where symmetry-protected exceptional rings (SPERs) emerge although the matrices involved are Hermitian. Remarkably, these SPERs are protected by emergent symmetry, which is unique to the systems d…
