Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:0710.4879 · Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical

\mathcal{Q}\mathcal{T} -symmetry and weak pseudo-hermiticity

Ali Mostafazadeh

Published Jan 23, 2008• 20 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

For an invertible (bounded) linear operator acting in a Hilbert space , we consider the consequences of the -symmetry of a non-hermitian Hamiltonian where is the time-reversal operator. If H is symmetric in the sense that , then -symmetry is equivalent to -weak-pseudo-hermiticity. But in general this equivalence does not hold. We show this using some specific examples. Among these is a large class of non- -symmetric Hamiltonians that share the spectral properties of -symmetric Hamiltonians.

DOI
10.1088/1751-8113/41/5/055304

Related papers

Pseudo-Hermiticity and generalized PT- and CPT-symmetries

Ali Mostafazadeh

We study certain linear and antilinear symmetry generators and involution operators associated with pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians and show that the theory of pseudo-Hermitian operators provides a simple explanation for the recent results of Bender, Brody and Jones (quant-ph/0208076) on the CPT-symmetry of a class of PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. We present a natural extension of these results to the class of diagonalizable pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians H with a discrete spectrum. In particular, we introduce generalized parity (𝒫), time-reversal (𝒯), and charge-conjugation (𝒞) operators and establish the 𝒫𝒯- and 𝒞𝒫𝒯-invariance of H.

arXiv:math-ph/0209018•Journal of Mathematical Physics•Feb 28, 2003•230 citations

Is weak pseudo-Hermiticity weaker than pseudo-Hermiticity?

Alí Mostafazadeh

For a weakly pseudo-Hermitian linear operator, we give a spectral condition that ensures its pseudo-Hermiticity. This condition is always satisfied whenever the operator acts in a finite-dimensional Hilbert space. Hence weak pseudo-Hermiticity and pseudo-Hermiticity are equivalent in finite-dimensions. This equivalence extends to a much larger class of operators. Quantum systems whose Hamiltonian is selected from among these operators correspond to pseudo-Hermitian quantum systems possessing certain symmetries.

arXiv:quant-ph/0605110•Journal of Mathematical Physics•Sep 1, 2006•14 citations

Pseudo-Hermiticity versus PT-symmetry III: Equivalence of pseudo-Hermiticity and the presence of antilinear symmetries

Ali Mostafazadeh

We show that a diagonalizable (non-Hermitian) Hamiltonian H is pseudo-Hermitian if and only if it has an antilinear symmetry, i.e., a symmetry generated by an invertible antilinear operator. This implies that the eigenvalues of H are real or come in complex conjugate pairs if and only if H possesses such a symmetry. In particular, the reality of the spectrum of H implies the presence of an antilinear symmetry. We further show that the spectrum of H is real if and only if there is a positive-definite inner-product on the Hilbert space with respect to which H is Hermitian or alternatively there is a pseudo-canonical transformation of the Hilbert space that maps H into a Hermitian operator.

arXiv:math-ph/0203005•Journal of Mathematical Physics•Aug 1, 2002•780 citations

Pseudo-Hermiticity versus PT symmetry: The necessary condition for the reality of the spectrum of a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian

Ali Mostafazadeh

We introduce the notion of pseudo-Hermiticity and show that every Hamiltonian with a real spectrum is pseudo-Hermitian. We point out that all the PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians studied in the literature belong to the class of pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians, and argue that the basic structure responsible for the particular spectral properties of these Hamiltonians is their pseudo-Hermiticity. We explore the basic properties of general pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians, develop pseudosupersymmetric quantum mechanics, and study some concrete examples, namely the Hamiltonian of the two-component Wheeler–DeWitt equation for the FRW-models coupled to a real massive scalar field and a class of pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians with a real spectrum.

arXiv:math-ph/0107001•Journal of Mathematical Physics•Jan 1, 2002•1,672 citations

Pseudo-Hermiticity versus PT Symmetry: The structure responsible for the reality of the spectrum of a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian

Alí Mostafazadeh

We introduce the notion of pseudo-Hermiticity and show that every Hamiltonian with a real spectrum is pseudo-Hermitian. We point out that all the PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians studied in the literature belong to the class of pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians, and argue that the basic structure responsible for the particular spectral properties of these Hamiltonians is their pseudo-Hermiticity. We explore the basic properties of general pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians, develop pseudo-supersymmetric quantum mechanics, and study some concrete examples, namely the Hamiltonian of the two-component Wheeler-DeWitt equation for the FRW-models coupled to a real massive scalar field and a class of pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians with a real spectrum.

•Jul 1, 2001•4 citations

On the pseudo-Hermitian nondiagonalizable Hamiltonians

G. Scolarici, Luigi Solombrino

We consider a class of (possibly nondiagonalizable) pseudo-Hermitian operators with discrete spectrum, and we establish for such a class the equivalence between the pseudo-Hermiticity property and the existence of an antilinear involutory symmetry. Moreover, we prove that this class actually coincides with the one of (possibly nondiagonalizable) weak pseudo-Hermitian operators, and that in no case (unless they are diagonalizable and have a real spectrum) they are Hermitian with respect to a definite inner product. Finally, we show that a typical degeneracy of the real eigenvalues (which reduces to the well-known Kramers degeneracy in the Hermitian case) occurs whenever a fermionic (possibly nondiagonalizable) pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian admits an antilinear symmetry like the time-reversal operator T. Some consequences and applications are briefly discussed.

arXiv:quant-ph/0211161•Journal of Mathematical Physics•Sep 25, 2003•44 citations
For an invertible (bounded) linear operator acting in a Hilbert space , we consider the consequences of the -symmetry of a non-hermitian Hamiltonian where is the time-reversal operator. If H is symmetric in the sense that , then -symmetry is equivalent to -weak-pseudo-hermiticity. But in general this equivalence does not hold. We show this using some specific examples. Among these is a large class of non- -symmetric Hamiltonians that share the spectral properties of -symmetric Hamiltonians.
We study certain linear and antilinear symmetry generators and involution operators associated with pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians and show that the theory of pseudo-Hermitian operators provides a simple explanation for the recent results of Bender, Brody and Jones (quant-ph/0208076) on the CPT-symmetry of a class of PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. We present a natural extension of these results to the class of diagonalizable pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians H with a discrete spectrum. In particular, we introduce generalized parity (𝒫), time-reversal (𝒯), and charge-conjugation (𝒞) operators and establish the 𝒫𝒯- and 𝒞𝒫𝒯-invariance of H.
For a weakly pseudo-Hermitian linear operator, we give a spectral condition that ensures its pseudo-Hermiticity. This condition is always satisfied whenever the operator acts in a finite-dimensional Hilbert space. Hence weak pseudo-Hermiticity and pseudo-Hermiticity are equivalent in finite-dimensions. This equivalence extends to a much larger class of operators. Quantum systems whose Hamiltonian is selected from among these operators correspond to pseudo-Hermitian quantum systems possessing certain symmetries.
We show that a diagonalizable (non-Hermitian) Hamiltonian H is pseudo-Hermitian if and only if it has an antilinear symmetry, i.e., a symmetry generated by an invertible antilinear operator. This implies that the eigenvalues of H are real or come in complex conjugate pairs if and only if H possesses such a symmetry. In particular, the reality of the spectrum of H implies the presence of an antilinear symmetry. We further show that the spectrum of H is real if and only if there is a positive-definite inner-product on the Hilbert space with respect to which H is Hermitian or alternatively there is a pseudo-canonical transformation of the Hilbert space that maps H into a Hermitian operator.
We introduce the notion of pseudo-Hermiticity and show that every Hamiltonian with a real spectrum is pseudo-Hermitian. We point out that all the PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians studied in the literature belong to the class of pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians, and argue that the basic structure responsible for the particular spectral properties of these Hamiltonians is their pseudo-Hermiticity. We explore the basic properties of general pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians, develop pseudosupersymmetric quantum mechanics, and study some concrete examples, namely the Hamiltonian of the two-component Wheeler–DeWitt equation for the FRW-models coupled to a real massive scalar field and a class of pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians with a real spectrum.
We introduce the notion of pseudo-Hermiticity and show that every Hamiltonian with a real spectrum is pseudo-Hermitian. We point out that all the PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians studied in the literature belong to the class of pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians, and argue that the basic structure responsible for the particular spectral properties of these Hamiltonians is their pseudo-Hermiticity. We explore the basic properties of general pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians, develop pseudo-supersymmetric quantum mechanics, and study some concrete examples, namely the Hamiltonian of the two-component Wheeler-DeWitt equation for the FRW-models coupled to a real massive scalar field and a class of pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians with a real spectrum.
We consider a class of (possibly nondiagonalizable) pseudo-Hermitian operators with discrete spectrum, and we establish for such a class the equivalence between the pseudo-Hermiticity property and the existence of an antilinear involutory symmetry. Moreover, we prove that this class actually coincides with the one of (possibly nondiagonalizable) weak pseudo-Hermitian operators, and that in no case (unless they are diagonalizable and have a real spectrum) they are Hermitian with respect to a definite inner product. Finally, we show that a typical degeneracy of the real eigenvalues (which reduces to the well-known Kramers degeneracy in the Hermitian case) occurs whenever a fermionic (possibly nondiagonalizable) pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian admits an antilinear symmetry like the time-reversal operator T. Some consequences and applications are briefly discussed.