We review some recent results of the so-called quasi-hermitian quantum mechanics, with particular focus on the quantum dynamics both in the Schrödinger and in the Heisenberg representations. The role of Krein spaces is also discussed.
In the conventional Schrödinger's formulation of quantum mechanics the unitary evolution of a state ψ is controlled, in Hilbert space L, by a Hamiltonian h which must be self-adjoint. In the recent, ``quasi-Hermitian'' reformulation of the theory one replaces h by its isospectral but non-Hermitian avatar H=Ω−1hΩ with Ω†Ω=Θ=I. Although acting in another, manifestly unphysical Hilbert space H, the amended Hamiltonian H=H† can be perceived as self-adjoint with respect to the amended inner-product metric Θ. In our paper motivated by a generic technical ``user-unfriendliness'' of the non-Hermiticity of H we introduce and describe a specific new family of Hamiltonians H for which the metrics Θ become available in closed form.
In a previous paper we began our analysis on the role of non self-adjoint Hamiltonians in connection with the Heisenberg dynamics for quantum systems. Here, motivated by the growing interest on this topic and on some recent results on dynamical systems, we continue this analysis focusing on what we believe is an unexplored (or, at least, not so explored! aspect of Heisenberg dynamics, related to the need for using vectors which are {\em brute-force normalized}. Our main interest is on conserved quantities, and on conditions which guarantee that some observables of the system, or their mean values, do not evolve in time.
Abstract In the conventional Schrödinger’s formulation of quantum mechanics the unitary evolution of a state ψ is controlled, in Hilbert space <?CDATA L?> L , by a Hamiltonian ɧ which must be self-adjoint. In the recent, “quasi-Hermitian” reformulation of the theory one replaces ɧ by its isospectral but non-Hermitian avatar H = Ω−1 𝖍Ω with Ω†Ω = Θ ≠ I. Although acting in another, manifestly unphysical Hilbert space <?CDATA H?> H , the amended Hamiltonian H ≠ H † can be perceived as self-adjoint with respect to the amended inner-product metric Θ. In our paper motivated by a generic technical “user-unfriendliness” of the non-Hermiticity of H we introduce and describe a specific new family of Hamiltonians H for which the metrics Θ become available in closed form.
Abstract In a previous paper, we began our analysis on the role of non-self-adjoint Hamiltonians in connection with the Heisenberg dynamics for quantum systems. Here, motivated by the growing interest on this topic and on some recent results on dynamical systems, we continue this analysis focusing on what we believe is an unexplored (or, at least, not so explored! aspect of Heisenberg dynamics, related to the need for using vectors which are brute-force normalized . Our main interest is on conserved quantities and on conditions which guarantee that some observables of the system, or their mean values, do not evolve in time.
The aim of this paper is to show the possible significance, and usefulness, of various non-self-adjoint operators for suitable Observables in nonrelativistic and relativistic quantum mechanics, and in quantum electrodynamics. More specifically, this work deals with: (i) the maximal Hermitian (but not self-adjoint) time operator in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics and in quantum electrodynamics; (ii) the problem of the four-position and four-momentum operators, each one with its Hermitian and anti-Hermitian parts, for relativistic spin-zero particles. Afterwards, other physically important applications of non-self-adjoint (and even non-Hermitian) operators are discussed: in particular, (iii) we reanalyze in detail the interesting possibility of associating quasi-Hermitian Hamiltonians with (decaying) unstable states in nuclear physics. Finally, we briefly mention the cases of quantum dissipation, as well as of the nuclear optical potential.
A diagonalizable non-Hermitian Hamiltonian having a real spectrum may be used to define a unitary quantum system, if one modifies the inner product of the Hilbert space properly. We give a comprehensive and essentially self-contained review of the basic ideas and techniques responsible for the recent developments in this subject. We provide a critical assessment of the role of the geometry of the Hilbert space in conventional quantum mechanics to reveal the basic physical principle motivating our study. We then offer a survey of the necessary mathematical tools, present their utility in establishing a lucid and precise formulation of a unitary quantum theory based on a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, and elaborate on a number of relevant issues of fundamental importance. In particular, we discuss the role of the antilinear symmetries such as [Formula: see text], the true meaning and significance of the so-called charge operators [Formula: see text] and the [Formula: see text]-inner products, the nature of the physical observables, the equivalent description of such models using ordinary Hermitian quantum mechanics, the pertaining duality between local-non-Hermitian versus nonlocal-Hermitian descriptions of their dynamics, the corresponding classical systems, the pseudo-Hermitian canonical quantization scheme, various methods of calculating the (pseudo-) metric operators, subtleties of dealing with time-dependent quasi-Hermitian Hamiltonians and the path-integral formulation of the theory, and the structure of the state space and its ramifications for the quantum Brachistochrone problem. We also explore some concrete physical applications and manifestations of the abstract concepts and tools that have been developed in the course of this investigation. These include applications in nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, quantum cosmology, electromagnetic wave propagation, open quantum systems, magnetohydrodynamics, quantum chaos and biophysics.