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arXiv:2306.04044

Locality and Exceptional Points in Pseudo-Hermitian Physics

Jacob L. Barnett

Published Jun 6, 2023• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Pseudo-Hermitian operators generalize the concept of Hermiticity. This class of operators includes the quasi-Hermitian operators, which reformulate quantum theory while retaining real-valued measurement outcomes and unitary time evolution. This thesis is devoted to the study of locality in quasi-Hermitian theory, the symmetries and conserved quantities associated with non-Hermitian operators, and the perturbative features of pseudo-Hermitian matrices. In addition to the presented original research, scholars will appreciate the lengthy introduction to non-Hermitian physics. Local quasi-Hermitian observable algebras are examined. Expectation values of local quasi-Hermitian observables equal expectation values of local Hermitian observables. Thus, quasi-Hermitian theories do not increase the values of nonlocal games set by Hermitian theories. Furthermore, Bell's inequality violations in quasi-Hermitian theories never exceed the Tsirelson bound of Hermitian quantum theory. Exceptional points, which are branch points in the spectrum, are a perturbative feature unique to non-Hermitian operators. Cusp singularities of algebraic curves are related to higher-order exceptional points. To exemplify novelties of non-Hermiticity, one-dimensional lattice models with a pair of non-Hermitian defect potentials with balanced loss and gain, $Δ\pm i γ$, are explored. When the defects are nearest neighbour, the entire spectrum becomes complex when $γ$ is tuned past a second-order exceptional point. When the defects are at the edges of the chain and the hopping amplitudes are 2-periodic, as in the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chain, the $\mathcal{PT}$-phase transition is dictated by the topological phase. Chiral symmetry and representation theory are used to derive large classes of pseudo-Hermitian operators with closed-form intertwining operators.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2306.04044

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Pseudo-Hermitian operators generalize the concept of Hermiticity. This class of operators includes the quasi-Hermitian operators, which reformulate quantum theory while retaining real-valued measurement outcomes and unitary time evolution. This thesis is devoted to the study of locality in quasi-Hermitian theory, the symmetries and conserved quantities associated with non-Hermitian operators, and the perturbative features of pseudo-Hermitian matrices. In addition to the presented original research, scholars will appreciate the lengthy introduction to non-Hermitian physics. Local quasi-Hermitian observable algebras are examined. Expectation values of local quasi-Hermitian observables equal expectation values of local Hermitian observables. Thus, quasi-Hermitian theories do not increase the values of nonlocal games set by Hermitian theories. Furthermore, Bell's inequality violations in quasi-Hermitian theories never exceed the Tsirelson bound of Hermitian quantum theory. Exceptional points, which are branch points in the spectrum, are a perturbative feature unique to non-Hermitian operators. Cusp singularities of algebraic curves are related to higher-order exceptional points. To exemplify novelties of non-Hermiticity, one-dimensional lattice models with a pair of non-Hermitian defect potentials with balanced loss and gain, Δ±iγΔ\pm i γΔ±iγ, are explored. When the defects are nearest neighbour, the entire spectrum becomes complex when γγγ is tuned past a second-order exceptional point. When the defects are at the edges of the chain and the hopping amplitudes are 2-periodic, as in the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chain, the PT\mathcal{PT}PT-phase transition is dictated by the topological phase. Chiral symmetry and representation theory are used to derive large classes of pseudo-Hermitian operators with closed-form intertwining operators.
Abstract Describing systems with non-Hermitian (NH) operators remains a challenge in quantum theory due to singularities (e.g. exceptional points and decoherence) arising from interactions with the environment. Here, we introduce a well-defined reference or computational basis for representing the NH Hamiltonian eigenstates, where singularities are shifted from the basis states to the expansion coefficients. This approach simplifies the mathematical treatment of open quantum systems. Furthermore, we propose a local ‘space-time’ transformation on the computational basis that defines a generic dual space mapping. Interestingly, this transformation reveals a static/global symmetry for real/imaginary energy values, unveiling inherent conserved quantities in open quantum systems. Our formalism provides new insights into key features such as exceptional points, dual space maps, and the origin of symmetry-enforced real eigenvalues. The framework is broadly applicable across various areas of physics where NH operators appear as ladder operators, order parameters, self-energies, projectors, and other entities.
Abstract Exceptional points are interesting physical phenomena in non-Hermitian physics at which the eigenvalues are degenerate and the eigenvectors coalesce. In this paper, we find that in projected non-Hermitian two-level systems (sub-systems under projecting partial Hilbert space) the singularities of exceptional points (EPs) is due to basis defectiveness rather than energy degeneracy or state coalescence. This leads to the discovery of extended exceptional points (EEPs). For EEPs, more subtle structures (e.g. the so-called Bloch peach), additional classification, and ‘hidden’ quantum phase transitions are explored. By using the topologically protected sub-space from two edge states in the non-Hermitian Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model as an example, we illustrate the physical properties of different types of EEPs.
Exotic singular objects, known as exceptional points, are ubiquitous in non-Hermitian physics. They might be spectral singularities in energy bands that produce anomalous effects and defectiveness. The quantum entanglement of a generic non-Hermitian model with two different types of spectral exceptional points (SEPs) is systematically investigated in this paper. We discovered a relationship between non-unitary conformal field theories and the kkk-linear-type SEPs, which is typically associated with PT\mathcal{PT}PT-symmetry or pesdo-Hermicity spontaneous breaking. The underlying association between kkk-square-root-type SEPs, which arise concurrently with real (imaginary) gap closing in the complex spectrum, mimicking first-order-phase-transition criticalities, and complex conformal field theories (cCFTs) is addressed through the calculation of complex central charges. From the entanglement spectrum, zero-energy exceptional modes are found to be distinct from normal zero modes or topological boundary modes. Finally, we include a brief discussion of analogous non-Hermitian quantum spin models and endeavor to establish an intuitive understanding of exceptional points through the spin picture in various scenarios.
The main motivation behind the call for this special issue was to gather recent results, developments and open problems in quantum physics with non-Hermitian operators. There have been previous special issues in this journal [1, 2] and elsewhere on this subject. The intention of this issue is to reflect the current state of this rapidly-developing field. It has therefore been open to all contributions containing new results on non-Hermitian theories that are explicitly -symmetric and/or pseudo-Hermitian or quasi-Hermitian. In the last decade these types of systems have proved to be viable self-consistent physical theories with well defined unitary time-evolution and real spectra. As the large number of responses demonstrates, this is a rapidly evolving field of research. A consensus has been reached regarding most of the fundamental problems, and the general ideas and techniques are now readily being employed in many areas of physics. Nonetheless, this issue still contains some treatments of a more general nature regarding the spectral analysis of these models, in particular, the physics of the exceptional points, the breaking of the -symmetry, an interpretation of negative energies and the consistent implementation of the WKB analysis. This issue also contains a treatment of a scattering theory associated with these types of systems, weak measurements, coherent states, decoherence, unbounded metric operators and the inclusion of domain issues to obtain well defined self-adjoint theories. Contributions in the form of applications of the general ideas include: studies of classical shock-waves and tunnelling, supersymmetric models, spin chain models, models with ring structure, random matrix models, the Pauli equation, the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, quasi-exactly solvable models, integrable models such as the Calogero model, Bose–Einstein condensates, thermodynamics, nonlinear oligomers, quantum catastrophes, the Landau–Zener problem and pseudo-Fermions. Applications close to experimental realization are proposed in optics, including short light pulse models, waveguides and laser systems, and also in electronics. We hope that this issue will become a valuable reference and inspiration for the broader scientific community working in mathematical and theoretical physics. References [1] Fring A, Jones H F and Znojil M (ed) 2008 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 41 240301 [2] Geyer H, Heiss D and Znojil M (ed) 2006 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 39 9963
We in this paper study the relation of hermiticity and energy spectrum for Hamiltonians consisting of SU(1,1)SU(1,1)SU(1,1) generators. In contrast with the common belief, the transition from real to imaginary spectra can appear at an exceptional point for the Hermitian Hamiltonian of a conservative system. The imaginary domain of spectrum resulted from an inverted potential well unbounded from below. An outward force applies on the particle, which moves acceleratingly away from the central point similar to the minisuperspace model of expanding universe. The Hamiltonian remains Hermitian beyond the exceptional point in a price that the boson-operator realization of SU(1,1)SU(1,1)SU(1,1) generator S^z\widehat{S}_{z}Sz​ becomes non-Hermitian. Oppositely a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian (called pseudo-Hermitian) possesses real eigenvalues in the entire region of interaction constant, which increases the gradient of potential well. While the Hermitian interaction decreases the gradient continuously to zero, namely the exceptional point, where eigenstates are degenerate. We extend the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian to the periodically time-dependent and two-dimensional system. The probability density of wave function coincides with classical orbits, which are derived from the corresponding classical-counterpart of the non-Hermitian quantum Hamiltonian.
We employ a recently-developed transfer-matrix formulation of scattering theory in two dimensions to study a class of scattering setups modeled by real potentials. The transfer matrix for these potentials is related to the time-evolution operator for an associated pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian operator \widehat{\mathbf{H}} 𝐇 ̂ which develops an exceptional point for a discrete set of incident wavenumbers. We use the spectral properties of this operator to determine the transfer matrix of these potentials and solve their scattering problem. We apply our general results to explore the scattering of waves by a waveguide of finite length in two dimensions, where the source of the incident wave and the detectors measuring the scattered wave are positioned at spatial infinities while the interior of the waveguide, which is filled with an inactive material, forms a finite rectangular region of the space. The study of this model allows us to elucidate the physical meaning and implications of the presence of the real and complex eigenvalues of \widehat{\mathbf{H}} 𝐇 ̂ and its exceptional points. Our results reveal the relevance of the concepts of pseudo-Hermitian operator and exceptional point in the standard quantum mechanics of closed systems where the potentials are required to be real.