PT-symmetric Quantum Mechanics: A Precise and Consistent Formulation

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.     

PT Symmetry in Quantum Field Theory

The Hamiltonian H specifies the energy levels and the time evolution of a quantum theory. It is an axiom of quantum mechanics that H be Hermitian. The Hermiticity of H guarantees that the energy spectrum is real and that the time evolution is unitary (probability preserving). In this talk we investigate an alternative formulation of quantum mechanics in which the mathematical requirement of Hermiticity is replaced by the more physically transparent condition of space-time reflection (PT) symmetry. We show that if the PT symmetry of a Hamiltonian H is not broken, then the spectrum of H is real. Examples of PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians are H=p ²+ix ³ and H=p ²-x ⁴. The crucial question is whether PT-symmetric Hamiltonians specify physically acceptable quantum theories in which the norms of states are positive and the time evolution is unitary. The answer is that a Hamiltonian that has an unbroken PT symmetry also possesses a physical symmetry that we call C. Using C, we show how to construct an inner product whose associated norm is positive definite. The result is a new class of fully consistent complex quantum theories. Observables exhibit CPT symmetry, probabilities are positive, and the dynamics is governed by unitary time evolution.     

$\mathcal{PT}$-Symmetric Periodic Optical Potentials

In quantum theory, any Hamiltonian describing a physical system is mathematically represented by a self-adjoint linear operator to ensure the reality of the associated observables. In an attempt to extend quantum mechanics into the complex domain, it was realized few years ago that certain non-Hermitian parity-time (PT\mathcal{PT}) symmetric Hamiltonians can exhibit an entirely real spectrum. Much of the reported progress has been remained theoretical, and therefore hasn’t led to a viable experimental proposal for which non Hermitian quantum effects could be observed in laboratory experiments. Quite recently however, it was suggested that the concept of PT\mathcal{PT}-symmetry could be physically realized within the framework of classical optics. This proposal has, in turn, stimulated extensive investigations and research studies related to PT\mathcal{PT}-symmetric Optics and paved the way for the first experimental observation of PT\mathcal{PT}-symmetry breaking in any physical system. In this paper, we present recent results regarding PT\mathcal{PT}-symmetric Optics.     

PT-Symmetric Quantum Field Theories and the Langevin Equation

Many non-Hermitian but PT-symmetric theories are known to have a real, positive spectrum, and for quantum-mechanical versions of these theories, there exists a consistent probabilistic interpretation. Since the action is complex for these theories, Monte Carlo methods do not apply. In this paper a field-theoretic method for numerical simulations of PT-symmetric Hamiltonians is presented. The method is the complex Langevin equation, which has been used previously to study complex Hamiltonians in statistical physics and in Minkowski space. We compute the equal-time one-point and two-point Green's functions in zero and one dimension, where comparisons to known results can be made. The method should also be applicable in four-dimensional space-time. This approach may grant insight into the formulation of a probabilistic interpretation for path integrals in PT-symmetric quantum field theories.     

Pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians: tale of two potentials

For the non-Hermitian, PT-symmetric potentials V = m ² x ² + gx ²(ix)^ν with ν = 1 and 2, we construct the Q operator which gives both the positive-definite metric and an equivalent Hermitian Hamiltonian h. For the case ν = 1, where the theory may be defined on the real axis, h is reasonable but complicated. For the case ν = 2, where the theory must initially be defined on a contour in the complex x plane, we first introduce a real parametrization of the contour, and then calculate Q and h as an expansion in an angle θ. Theresultant h has less desirable properties. However, Q is not uniquely determined, and it may be possible to exploit this ambiguity to produce a more acceptable equivalent Hamiltonian. Presented at the 3rd International Workshop “Pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians in Quantum Physics”, Istanbul, Turkey, June 20–22, 2005.     

$\mathcal{PT}$ Symmetry in Statistical Mechanics and the Sign Problem

Generalized PT\mathcal{PT} symmetry provides crucial insight into the sign problem for two classes of models. In the case of quantum statistical models at non-zero chemical potential, the free energy density is directly related to the ground state energy of a non-Hermitian, but generalized PT\mathcal{PT}-symmetric Hamiltonian. There is a corresponding class of PT\mathcal{PT}-symmetric classical statistical mechanics models with non-Hermitian transfer matrices. We discuss a class of Z(N) spin models with explicit PT\mathcal{PT} symmetry and also the ANNNI model, which has a hidden PT\mathcal{PT} symmetry. For both quantum and classical models, the class of models with generalized PT\mathcal{PT} symmetry is precisely the class where the complex weight problem can be reduced to real weights, i.e., a sign problem. The spatial two-point functions of such models can exhibit three different behaviors: exponential decay, oscillatory decay, and periodic behavior. The latter two regions are associated with PT\mathcal{PT} symmetry breaking, where a Hamiltonian or transfer matrix has complex conjugate pairs of eigenvalues. The transition to a spatially modulated phase is associated with PT\mathcal{PT} symmetry breaking of the ground state, and is generically a first-order transition. In the region where PT\mathcal{PT} symmetry is unbroken, the sign problem can always be solved in principle using the equivalence to a Hermitian theory in this region. The ANNNI model provides an example of a model with PT\mathcal{PT} symmetry which can be simulated for all parameter values, including cases where PT\mathcal{PT} symmetry is broken.     

Classical Motion of Complex 2-D Non-Hermitian Hamiltonian Systems

Classical motion of complex 2-D non-Hermitian Hamiltonian systems is investigated to identify periodic, unbounded and chaotic trajectories. The caustic curves, the Lyapunov exponents, and spectral analysis have been used to identify periodic and chaotic trajectories. Using classical trajectories, we were able to predict quantum transition frequaencies of pseudo-Hermitian non-PT symmetric systems accurately. This indicates that there exists a correspondence between classical mechanics and quantum mechanics for certain non-Hermitian Hamiltonians as in the case of real Hermitians.     

Symmetric quadratic Hamiltonians with pseudo-Hermitian matrix representation

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 active LRC circuit.     

The Gram Matrix of a PT-Symmetric Quantum System

The eigenstates of a diagonalizable PT-symmetric Hamiltonian satisfy unconventional completeness and orthonormality relations. These relations reflect the properties of a pair of bi-orthonormal bases associated with non-hermitean diagonalizable operators. In a similar vein, such a dual pair of bases is shown to possess, in the presence of PT symmetry, a Gram matrix of a particular structure: its inverse is obtained by simply swapping the signs of some its matrix elements.     

Introduction to 𝒫𝒯-symmetric quantum theory

In most introductory courses on quantum mechanics one is taught that the Hamiltonian operator must be Hermitian in order that the energy levels be real and that the theory be unitary (probability conserving). To express the Hermiticity of a Hamiltonian, one writes H?=?H ^?, where the symbol ? denotes the usual Dirac Hermitian conjugation; that is, transpose and complex conjugate. In the past few years it has been recognized that the requirement of Hermiticity, which is often stated as an axiom of quantum mechanics, may be replaced by the less mathematical and more physical requirement of space?–?time reflection symmetry (𝒫𝒯 symmetry) without losing any of the essential physical features of quantum mechanics. Theories defined by non-Hermitian 𝒫𝒯-symmetric Hamiltonians exhibit strange and unexpected properties at the classical as well as at the quantum level. This paper explains how the requirement of Hermiticity can be evaded and discusses the properties of some non-Hermitian 𝒫𝒯-symmetric quantum theories.     

Application of asymptotic iteration method to the Khare-Mandal and its PT-symmetric QES partner potential

We study the application of the asymptotic iteration method to the Khare-Mandal potential and its PT-symmetric partner. The eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for both potentials are obtained analytically. We have shown that although the quasi-exactly solvable energy eigenvalues of the Khare-Mandal potential are found to be in complex conjugate pairs for certain values of potential parameters, its PT-symmetric partner exhibits real energy eigenvalues in all cases.      

Entanglement in non-Hermitian quantum theory

Entanglement is one of the key features of quantum world that has no classical counterpart. This arises due to the linear superposition principle and the tensor product structure of the Hilbert space when we deal with multiparticle systems. In this paper, we will introduce the notion of entanglement for quantum systems that are governed by non-Hermitian yet PT-symmetric Hamiltonians. We will show that maximally entangled states in usual quantum theory behave like non-maximally entangled states in PT-symmetric quantum theory. Furthermore, we will show how to create entanglement between two PT qubits using non-Hermitian Hamiltonians and discuss the entangling capability of such interaction Hamiltonians that are non-Hermitian in nature.     

A Krein Space Approach to PT-symmetry

In this note we apply Krein space methods to PT-symmetric problems to obtain conditions for the spectrum to be real and estimates of the number of non-real spectral points. An erratum to this article is available at.     

Calculating the C Operator in PT-symmetric Quantum Mechanics

It has recently been shown that a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian H possessing an unbroken PT symmetry (i) has a real spectrum that is bounded below, and (ii) defines a unitary theory of quantum mechanics with positive norm. The proof of unitarity requires a linear operator C, which was originally defined as a sum over the eigenfunctions of H. However, using this definition it is cumbersome to calculate C in quantum mechanics and impossible in quantum field theory. An alternative method is devised here for calculating C directly in terms of the operator dynamical variables of the quantum theory. This new method is general and applies to a variety of quantum mechanical systems having several degrees of freedom. More importantly, this method can be used to calculate the C operator in quantum field theory. The C operator is a new time-independent observable in PT-symmetric quantum field theory.     

How to test for diagonalizability: the discretized PT-invariant square-well potential

Given a non-Hermitian matrix M, the structure of its minimal polynomial encodes whether M is diagonalizable or not. This note explains how to determine the minimal polynomial of a matrix without going through its characteristic polynomial. The approach is applied to a quantum mechanical particle moving in a square well under the influence of a piece-wise constant PT-symmetric potential. Upon discretizing the configuration space, the system is described by a matrix of dimension three which turns out not to be diagonalizable for a critical strength of the interaction. The systems develops a three-fold degenerate eigenvalue, and two of the three eigenfunctions disappear at this exceptional point, giving a difference between the algebraic and geometric multiplicity of the eigenvalue equal to two. Presented at the 3rd International Workshop “Pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians in Quantum Physics”, Istanbul, Turkey, June 20–22, 2005.     

Asymptotic Properties of Solvable $\mathcal{PT}$-Symmetric Potentials

The asymptotic region of potentials has strong impact on their general properties. This problem is especially interesting for PT\mathcal{PT}-symmetric potentials, the real and imaginary components of which allow for a wider variety of asymptotic properties than in the case of purely real potentials. We consider exactly solvable potentials defined on an infinite domain and investigate their scattering and bound states with special attention to the boundary conditions determined by the asymptotic regions. The examples include potentials with asymptotically vanishing and non-vanishing real and imaginary potential components (Scarf II, Rosen-Morse II, Coulomb). We also compare the results with the asymptotic properties of some exactly non-solvable PT\mathcal{PT}-symmetric potentials. These studies might be relevant to the experimental realization of PT\mathcal{PT}-symmetric systems.     

Extending $\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}$ Symmetry from Heisenberg Algebra to E2 Algebra

The E2 algebra has three elements, J, u, and v, which satisfy the commutation relations [u,J]=iv, [v,J]=−iu, [u,v]=0. We can construct the Hamiltonian H=J ²+gu, where g is a real parameter, from these elements. This Hamiltonian is Hermitian and consequently it has real eigenvalues. However, we can also construct the PT\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}-symmetric and non-Hermitian Hamiltonian H=J ²+igu, where again g is real. As in the case of PT\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}-symmetric Hamiltonians constructed from the elements x and p of the Heisenberg algebra, there are two regions in parameter space for this PT\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}-symmetric Hamiltonian, a region of unbroken PT\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T} symmetry in which all the eigenvalues are real and a region of broken PT\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T} symmetry in which some of the eigenvalues are complex. The two regions are separated by a critical value of g.