A Generalized Family of Discrete \mathcal{PT}-symmetric Square Wells

N-site-lattice Hamiltonians H ^(N) are introduced and perceived as a set of systematic discrete approximants of a certain $\mathcal {PT}$ -symmetric square-well-potential model with the real spectrum and with a non-Hermiticity which is localized near the boundaries of the interval. Its strength is controlled by one, two or three parameters. The problem of the explicit construction of a nontrivial metric which makes the theory unitary is then addressed. It is proposed and demonstrated that due to the not too complicated (viz., tridiagonal matrix) form of our input Hamiltonians, the computation of the metric is straightforward and that its matrix elements prove obtainable, non-numerically, in elementary polynomial forms.     

$\mathcal{PT}$-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.     

Vector Models in \mathcal{PT} Quantum Mechanics

We present two examples of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians which consist of an unperturbed part plus a perturbation that behaves like a vector, in the framework of $\mathcal {PT}$ quantum mechanics. The first example is a generalization of the recent work by Bender and Kalveks, wherein the E2 algebra was examined; here we consider the E3 algebra representing a particle on a sphere, and identify the critical value of coupling constant which marks the transition from real to imaginary eigenvalues. Next we analyze a model with SO(3) symmetry, and in the process extend the application of the Wigner-Eckart theorem to a non-Hermitian setting.     

Parity anomaly in a \mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}-symmetric quartic Hamiltonian

In this paper, two independent methods are used to show that the non-Hermitian -symmetric wrong-sign quartic Hamiltonian H = (1/2m)p ² − gx ⁴ is exactly equivalent to the conventional Hermitian Hamiltonian . First, this equivalence is demonstrated by using elementary differential-equation techniques and second, it is demonstrated by using functional-integration methods. As the linear term in the Hermitian Hamiltonian is proportional to ℏ, this term is anomalous; that is, the linear term in the potential has no classical analog. The anomaly is a consequence of the broken parity symmetry of the original non-Hermitian -symmetric Hamiltonian. The anomaly term in remains unchanged if an x ² term is introduced into H. When such a quadratic term is present in H, this Hamiltonian possesses bound states. The corresponding bound states in are a direct physical measure of the anomaly. If there were no anomaly term, there would be no bound states.     

Comparative analysis of real and \mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}-symmetric Scarf potentials

The Scarf I and Scarf II potentials are discussed within a common mathematical framework, which is then specified to handle the two potentials separately both in the conventional Hermitian and in the -symmetric setting. The physically admissible solutions are identified in each case together with the corresponding energy eigenvalues. Several main differences between the -symmetric Scarf I and II potentials are pointed out. These include the presence and absence of the quasi-parity quantum number, the sign of the pseudo-norm, the mechanism of the spontaneous breakdown of symmetry and the non- orthogonality of otherwise admissible solutions in the Scarf I potential. Similarities and differences with respect to the corresponding Hermitian systems are also pointed out.     

Analytic wave functions and energies for two-dimensional \mathcal{P}\mathcal{T} -symmetric quartic potentials

Analytic wave functions and the corresponding energies for a class of the $ \mathcal{P}\mathcal{T} $ -symmetric two-dimensional quartic potentials are found. The general form of the solutions is discussed.     

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.     

\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}-symmetric quartic anharmonic oscillator and position-dependent mass in a perturbative approach

To lowest order of perturbation theory we show that an equivalence can be established between a -symmetric generalized quartic anharmonic oscillator model and a Hermitian position-dependent mass Hamiltonian h. An important feature of h is that it reveals a domain of couplings where the quartic potential could be attractive, vanishing or repulsive. We also determine the associated physical quantities.     

$\mathcal{PT}$ Invariant Complex E8 Root Spaces

We provide a construction procedure for complex root spaces invariant under antilinear transformations, which may be applied to any Coxeter group. The procedure is based on the factorisation of a chosen element of the Coxeter group into two factors. Each of the factors constitutes an involution and may therefore be deformed in an antilinear fashion. Having the importance of the E ₈-Coxeter group in mind, such as underlying a particular perturbation of the Ising model and the fact that for it no solution could be found previously, we exemplify the procedure for this particular case. As a concrete application of this construction we propose new generalisations of Calogero-Moser-Sutherland models and affine Toda field theories based on the invariant complex root spaces and deformed complex simple roots, respectively.     

Krein-space formulation of \mathcal{P}\mathcal{T} symmetry, \mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}-inner products, and pseudo-Hermiticity

Emphasizing the physical constraints on the formulation of the quantum theory, based on the standard measurement axiom and the Schrödinger equation, we comment on some conceptual issues arising in the formulation of the $\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}$ -symmetric quantum mechanics. In particular, we elaborate on the requirements of the boundedness of the metric operator and the diagonalizability of the Hamiltonian. We also provide an accessible account of a Krein-space derivation of the $\mathcal{C}\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}$ -inner product, that was widely known to mathematicians since 1950’s. We show how this derivation is linked with the pseudo-Hermitian formulation of the $\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}$ -symmetric quantum mechanics.     

$\mathcal{PT}$ 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.     

Particles versus fields in $$ \mathcal{P}\mathcal{T} $$-symmetrically deformed integrable systems

The elastic scattering and the ⁶He angular distributions were measured in ⁷Li + ⁷Li reaction at two energies, E _lab = 20 and 25 MeV. FRDWBA calculations have been performed to explain the measured ⁶He data. The calculations were very sensitive to the choice of the optical model potentials in entrance and exit channels. The one-step proton transfer was found to be the dominant reaction mechanism in ⁶He production.      

{\mathcal {PT}}-symmetric dimers with time-periodic gain/loss function

\({\mathcal {PT}}\) -symmetric dimers with a time-periodic gain/loss function in a balanced configuration where the amount of gain equals that of loss are investigated analytically and numerically. Two prototypical dimers in the linear regime are investigated: a system of coupled classical oscillators, and a Schrödinger dimer representing the coupling of field amplitudes, each system representing a wide class of physical models. Through a thorough analysis of their stability behavior, we find that turning on the coupling parameter in the classical dimer system leads initially to decreased stability but then to re-entrant transitions from the exact to the broken \({\mathcal {PT}}\) -phase and vice versa, as it is increased beyond a critical value. On the other hand, the Schrödinger dimer behaves more like a single oscillator with time-periodic gain/loss. In addition, we are able to identify the conditions under which the behavior of the two dimer systems coincides and/or reduces to that of a single oscillator.     

Effective Potential for \mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}-Symmetric Quantum Field Theories

Recently, a class of -invariant scalar quantum field theories described by the non-Hermitian Lagrangian = () ² +g ² (i) was studied. It was found that there are two regions of . For <0 the -invariance of the Lagrangian is spontaneously broken, and as a consequence, all but the lowest-lying energy levels are complex. For 0 the -invariance of the Lagrangian is unbroken, and the entire energy spectrum is real and positive. The subtle transition at =0 is not well understood. In this paper we initiate an investigation of this transition by carrying out a detailed numerical study of the effective potential V _eff (_c) in zero-dimensional spacetime. Although this numerical work reveals some differences between the <0 and the >0 regimes, we cannot yet see convincing evidence of the transition at =0 in the structure of the effective potential for -symmetric quantum field theories.     

$\mathcal{CPT}$-Symmetric Discrete Square Well

In an addendum to the recent systematic Hermitization of certain N by N matrix Hamiltonians H ^(N)(λ) (Znojil in J. Math. Phys. 50:122105, 2009) we propose an amendment H ^(N)(λ,λ) of the model. The gain is threefold. Firstly, the updated model acquires a natural mathematical meaning of Runge-Kutta approximant to a differential PT\mathcal{PT}-symmetric square well in which P\mathcal{P} is parity. Secondly, the appeal of the model in physics is enhanced since the related operator C\mathcal{C} of the so called “charge” (the requirement of observability of which defines the most popular Bender’s metric Q = PC\Theta=\mathcal{PC}) becomes also obtainable (and is constructed here) in an elementary antidiagonal matrix form at all N. Last but not least, the original phenomenological energy spectrum is not changed so that the domain of its reality (i.e., the interval of admissible couplings λ∈(−1,1)) remains the same.     

On a few new quantization recipes using \mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}-symmetry

A review of a few recent developments in our analysis and applications of the coupled-channel version of the formalism of -symmetric quantum mechanics is given.     

Spectra of $$ \mathcal{P}\mathcal{T} $$-symmetric Hamiltonians on tobogganic contours

A non-standard generalization of the Bender potentials x ²(ix ^ɛ) is suggested. The spectra are obtained numerically and some of their particular properties are discussed.     

F-theory,Seiberg-Witten curves and $ \mathcal{N} = {2} $ dualities

Journal of High Energy Physics - A geometrical form of the supersymmetry conditions for D-branes on arbitrary type II supersymmetric backgrounds is derived, as well as the associated BPS bounds....