Time reversal and exceptional points

Eigenvectors of decaying quantum systems are studied at exceptional points of the Hamiltonian. Special attention is paid to the properties of the system under time reversal symmetry breaking. At the exceptional point the chiral character of the system -- found for time reversal symmetry -- generically persists. It is, however, no longer circular but rather elliptic.Received: 20 November 2003, Published online: 15 April 2004PACS: 03.65.Vf Phases: geometric; dynamic or topological - 02.30.-f Function theory, analysis - 05.45.Mt Quantum chaos; semiclassical methods