The non-Hermitian quadratic oscillator known as the Swanson oscillator is one of the popular PT -symmetric model systems. Here a full classical description of its dynamics is derived using recently developed metriplectic flow equations, which combine the classical symplectic flow for Hermitian systems with a dissipative metric flow for the anti-Hermitian part. Closed form expressions for the metric and phase-space trajectories are presented which are found to be periodic in time. Since the Hamiltonian is only quadratic the classical dynamics exactly describe the quantum dynamics of Gaussian wave packets. It is shown that the classical metric and trajectories as well as the quantum wave functions can diverge in finite time even though the PT -symmetry is unbroken, i.e., the eigenvalues are purely real.
We suggest an extension of the Hilbert Phase Space formalism, which appears to be naturally suited for application to the dissipative (open) quantum systems, such as those described by the non-stationary (time-dependent) Hamiltonians
H(x,p,t). A notion of quantum differential is introduced, highlighting the difference between the quantum and classical propagators. The equation of quantum dynamics of the generalised Wigner function in the extended Hilbert phase space is derived, as well as its classical limit, which serves as the generalisation of the classical Liouville equation for the domain of non-stationary Hamiltonian dynamical systems. This classical limit is then studied at some length and it is shown that in the extended phase space the energy plays the role of the coordinate and time that of the conjugated momentum and not the other way around, as might be suggested by the covariant treatment of these quantities arising from the 4-coordinate and 4-momentum in the relativistic context. Furthermore, the canonical form of the equation obtained suggests that that which is perceived as motion in the ordinary phase space is an equilibrium configuration in the extended phase space.
In this thesis, we study phase-space approximations to quantum dynamics for both Hermitian and non-Hermitian quantum systems, motivated by the need to efficiently describe quantum effects in models that are analytically intractable but admit classical analogues offering insight into their complex behaviour. Such systems arise in diverse areas, include but are not limited to quantum optics, condensed matter, open quantum systems, and quantum technologies. We begin by exploring phase-space approximations for quantum systems governed by the Heisenberg-Weyl algebra. Building on established coherent-state methods, we develop a semiclassical Husimi approximation for non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. This approach reveals that the resulting dynamics comprise the transport of initial Husimi distributions along classical trajectories, overlaid with a time-dependent norm landscape reflecting non-unitary evolution. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method through several examples, including damped Kerr oscillators and
PT-symmetric models, providing a superior approximation for observables compared to standard coherent-state techniques. To generalise these ideas, we develop a unified framework for phase-space approximations that applies across a wide range of algebraic structures. By identifying a set of general criteria, we enable systematic application of the approximation scheme to any quantum system satisfying these conditions. This provides a cohesive theoretical foundation that connects previously distinct results under a common approach. We then apply this framework to both the
su2 algebra and non-Lie algebraic bosonic conversion systems. For
su2, we analyse two-mode Bose-Hubbard models with various Hamiltonians, demonstrating quantum-classical correspondence and exploring the effects of
PT-symmetry. For bosonic conversion systems, we propose coherent states for these non-Lie algebraic structures and derive their associated phase-space geometry, characterised as quantum Kummer shapes with classical counterparts as orbifolds. Our results advance the understanding of quantum-classical correspondence in multi-boson systems beyond traditional Hermitian frameworks and offer practical tools for simulating quantum dynamics in experimentally relevant models.
The quantum evolution of the Wigner function for Gaussian wave packets generated by a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian is investigated. In the semiclassical limit $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ this yields the non-Hermitian analog of the Ehrenfest theorem for the dynamics of observable expectation values. The lack of Hermiticity reveals the importance of the complex structure on the classical phase space: The resulting equations of motion are coupled to an equation of motion for the phase-space metric---a phenomenon having no analog in Hermitian theories.
We systematically investigate master equations involving double-bracket dissipators in the classical limit. Dissipators defined by double commutators arise naturally in dephasing dynamics, while those defined by double anticommutators are typically associated with noisy Hamiltonians. The classical limit of such master equations is derived by reformulating the dissipative open dynamics in phase space using the Wigner-Weyl transform and Moyal bracket formalism, and by identifying the leading-order terms in a systematic
ℏ-expansion. We first analyze a double-commutator master equation associated with energy diffusion, and then turn to master equations containing a double anticommutator with the system Hamiltonian, recently derived in the context of noisy non-Hermitian systems. For both classes of double-bracket equations, we establish a gradient-flow representation of the dynamics within both the quantum and semiclassical formalisms. We further study the semiclassical evolution generated by double-bracket master equations for the harmonic (integrable) and driven anharmonic (chaotic) oscillators, considering both classical and quantum initial states. The dynamics are characterized through several observables, including mean position, momentum, and energy. The quantumness of the time-evolved state is assessed via the Wigner logarithmic negativity, and the interplay between double-bracket dissipation and chaotic dynamics is examined in detail. Finally, we extend our analysis to generalized master equations involving higher-order nested brackets, which arise naturally as a time-continuous formulation of spectral filtering techniques widely used in the numerical simulation of quantum systems.
The complex geometry underlying the Schrödinger dynamics of coherent states for non-Hermitian Hamiltonians is investigated. In particular two seemingly contradictory approaches are compared: (i) a complex WKB formalism, for which the centres of coherent states naturally evolve along complex trajectories, which leads to a class of complexified coherent states; (ii) the investigation of the dynamical equations for the real expectation values of position and momentum, for which an Ehrenfest theorem has been derived in a previous paper, yielding real but non-Hamiltonian classical dynamics on phase space for the real centres of coherent states. Both approaches become exact for quadratic Hamiltonians. The apparent contradiction is resolved building on an observation by Huber, Heller and Littlejohn, that complexified coherent states are equivalent if their centres lie on a specific complex Lagrangian manifold. A rich underlying complex symplectic geometry is unravelled. In particular a natural complex structure is identified that defines a projection from complex to real phase space, mapping complexified coherent states to their real equivalents.