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arXiv:1205.5211 · Canadian Journal of Physics

Quantum star-graph analogues of PT-symmetric square wells

Miloslav Znojil

Published Dec 1, 2012• 14 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We recall the solvable [Formula: see text]-symmetric quantum square well on an interval of x ∈ (–L, L) := [Formula: see text] (with an α-dependent non-Hermiticity given by Robin boundary conditions) and generalize it. In essence, we just replace the support interval [Formula: see text] (reinterpreted as an equilateral two-pointed star graph with Kirchhoff matching at the vertex x = 0) with a q-pointed equilateral star graph [Formula: see text] endowed with the simplest complex-rotation-symmetric external α-dependent Robin boundary conditions. The remarkably compact form of the secular determinant is then deduced. Its analysis reveals that (i) at any integer q = 2, 3, …, there exists the same q-independent and infinite subfamily of the real energies, and (ii) at any special q = 2, 6, 10, …, there exists another, additional, q-dependent infinite subfamily of the real energies. In the spirit of the recently proposed dynamical construction of the Hilbert space of a quantum system, the physical bound-state interpretation of these eigenvalues is finally proposed.

DOI
10.1139/p2012-107

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PT-Symmetric Quantum Mechanics

This paper proposes to broaden the canonical formulation of quantum mechanics.Ordinarily, one imposes the condition H † = H on the Hamiltonian, where † represents the mathematical operation of complex conjugation and matrix transposition.This conventional Hermiticity condition is sufficient to ensure that the Hamiltonian H has a real spectrum.However, replacing this mathematical condition by the weaker and more physical requirement H ‡ = H, where ‡ represents combined parity reflection and time reversal PT , one obtains new classes of complex Hamiltonians whose spectra are still real and positive.This generalization of Hermiticity is investigated using a complex deformation H = p 2 + x 2 (ix) ǫ of the harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian, where ǫ is a real parameter.The system exhibits two phases: When ǫ ≥ 0, the energy spectrum of H is real and positive as a consequence of PT symmetry.However, when -1 < ǫ < 0, the spectrum contains an infinite number of complex eigenvalues and a finite number of real, positive eigenvalues because PT symmetry is spontaneously broken.The phase transition that occurs at ǫ = 0 manifests itself in both the quantum-mechanical system and the underlying classical system.Similar qualitative features are exhibited by complex deformations of other standard real Hamiltonians H = p 2 + x 2N (ix) ǫ with N integer and ǫ > -N ; each of these complex Hamiltonians exhibits a phase transition at ǫ = 0.These PT -symmetric theories may be viewed as analytic continuations of conventional theories from real to complex phase space.

WORLD SCIENTIFIC (EUROPE) eBooks•Nov 21, 2018•1 citation
We recall the solvable [Formula: see text]-symmetric quantum square well on an interval of x ∈ (–L, L) := [Formula: see text] (with an α-dependent non-Hermiticity given by Robin boundary conditions) and generalize it. In essence, we just replace the support interval [Formula: see text] (reinterpreted as an equilateral two-pointed star graph with Kirchhoff matching at the vertex x = 0) with a q-pointed equilateral star graph [Formula: see text] endowed with the simplest complex-rotation-symmetric external α-dependent Robin boundary conditions. The remarkably compact form of the secular determinant is then deduced. Its analysis reveals that (i) at any integer q = 2, 3, …, there exists the same q-independent and infinite subfamily of the real energies, and (ii) at any special q = 2, 6, 10, …, there exists another, additional, q-dependent infinite subfamily of the real energies. In the spirit of the recently proposed dynamical construction of the Hilbert space of a quantum system, the physical bound-state interpretation of these eigenvalues is finally proposed.
For the non-Hermitian equilateral q-pointed star-shaped quantum graphs of our previous paper (Can. J. Phys. 90, 1287 (2012) doi:10.1139/p2012-107 ) we show that because of certain dynamical aspects of the model as controlled by the external, rotation-symmetric complex Robin boundary conditions, the spectrum is obtainable in a closed asymptotic-expansion form, in principle at least. Explicit formulae up to the second order are derived for illustration, and a few comments on their consequences are added.
Abstract We consider PT-symmetric quantum graphs, in which the branching points provide PT-symmetric boundary conditions for the Schrödinger equation on a graph. For such branched quantum wires, we derive general boundary conditions, which keep the Hamiltonian as PT-symmetric with real eigenvalues and positively defined norm of the eigenfunctions. Secular equations for finding the eigenvalues of the quantum graph are derived. Breaking the Kirchhoff rule at the branching points in such systems is shown. Experimental realization of PT-symmetric quantum graphs on branched optical waveguides is discussed.
A new Hermitizable quantum model is proposed in which the bound-state energies are real and given as roots of an elementary trigonometric expression while the wave function components are expressed as superpositions of two Chebyshev polynomials. As an -site lattice version of square well with complex Robin-type two-parametric boundary conditions the model is unitary with respect to the Hilbert space metric Θ which becomes equal to the most common Diracʼs metric in the conventional textbook Hermitian–Hamiltonian limit. This metric is constructed in closed form at all .
Abstract A family of exactly solvable quantum square wells with discrete coordinates and with certain non-stationary Hermiticity-violating Robin boundary conditions is proposed and studied. Manifest non-Hermiticity of the model in conventional Hilbert space H friendly is required to coexist with the unitarity of system in another, ad hoc Hilbert space H physical . Thus, quantum mechanics in its non-Hermitian interaction picture (NIP) representation is to be used. We must construct the time-dependent states (say, ψ(t)) as well as the time-dependent observables (say, Λ(t)). Their evolution in time is generated by the operators denoted, here, by the respective symbols G(t) (a Schrödinger-equation generator) and Σ(t) (a Heisenberg-equation generator, a.k.a. quantum Coriolis force). The unitarity of evolution in H physical is then guaranteed by the reality of spectrum of the energy observable alias Hamiltonian H(t) = G(t) + Σ(t). The applicability of these ideas is illustrated via an N by N matrix model. At N = 2, closed formulae are presented not only for the measurable instantaneous energy spectrum but also for all of the eligible time-dependent physical inner-product metrics Θ(N=2)(t), for the related Dyson maps Ω(N=2)(t), for the Coriolis force Σ(N=2)(t) as well as, in the very ultimate step of the construction, for the truly nontrivial Schrödinger-equation generator G (N=2)(t).
This paper proposes to broaden the canonical formulation of quantum mechanics.Ordinarily, one imposes the condition H † = H on the Hamiltonian, where † represents the mathematical operation of complex conjugation and matrix transposition.This conventional Hermiticity condition is sufficient to ensure that the Hamiltonian H has a real spectrum.However, replacing this mathematical condition by the weaker and more physical requirement H ‡ = H, where ‡ represents combined parity reflection and time reversal PT , one obtains new classes of complex Hamiltonians whose spectra are still real and positive.This generalization of Hermiticity is investigated using a complex deformation H = p 2 + x 2 (ix) ǫ of the harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian, where ǫ is a real parameter.The system exhibits two phases: When ǫ ≥ 0, the energy spectrum of H is real and positive as a consequence of PT symmetry.However, when -1 < ǫ < 0, the spectrum contains an infinite number of complex eigenvalues and a finite number of real, positive eigenvalues because PT symmetry is spontaneously broken.The phase transition that occurs at ǫ = 0 manifests itself in both the quantum-mechanical system and the underlying classical system.Similar qualitative features are exhibited by complex deformations of other standard real Hamiltonians H = p 2 + x 2N (ix) ǫ with N integer and ǫ > -N ; each of these complex Hamiltonians exhibits a phase transition at ǫ = 0.These PT -symmetric theories may be viewed as analytic continuations of conventional theories from real to complex phase space.