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Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra

Classes of non-Hermitian operators with real eigenvalues

Natália Bebiano, João da Providência, João P. da Providência

Published Jan 1, 2010• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Classes of non-Hermitian operators that have only real eigenvalues are presented.Such operators appear in quantum mechanics and are expressed in terms of the generators of the Weyl-Heisenberg algebra.For each non-Hermitian operator A, a Hermitian involutive operator Ĵ such that A is Ĵ-Hermitian, that is, ĴA = A * Ĵ, is found.Moreover, we construct a positive definite Hermitian Q such that A is Q-Hermitian, allowing for the standard probabilistic interpretation of quantum mechanics.Finally, it is shown that the considered matrices are similar to Hermitian matrices.

DOI
10.13001/1081-3810.1417

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Classes of non-Hermitian operators that have only real eigenvalues are presented.Such operators appear in quantum mechanics and are expressed in terms of the generators of the Weyl-Heisenberg algebra.For each non-Hermitian operator A, a Hermitian involutive operator Ĵ such that A is Ĵ-Hermitian, that is, ĴA = A * Ĵ, is found.Moreover, we construct a positive definite Hermitian Q such that A is Q-Hermitian, allowing for the standard probabilistic interpretation of quantum mechanics.Finally, it is shown that the considered matrices are similar to Hermitian matrices.
Examples are given of non-Hermitian Hamiltonian operators which have a real spectrum. Some of the investigated operators are expressed in terms of the generators of the Weil-Heisenberg algebra. It is argued that the existence of an involutive operator J^\hat JJ^ which renders the Hamiltonian J^\hat JJ^-Hermitian leads to the unambiguous definition of an associated positive definite norm allowing for the standard probabilistic interpretation of quantum mechanics. Non-Hermitian extensions of the Poeschl-Teller Hamiltonian are also considered. Hermitian counterparts obtained by similarity transformations are constructed.
A basic fact, having fundamental significance in quantum mechanics, is that hermitian (or self-adjoint) operators have only real eigenvalues. However, in certain applications in molecular physics, one deals with non-hermitian operators. We discuss a condition for non-hermitian operators to have real eigenvalues, proving that it is the case if and only if it can be decomposed as a product of two, generally non-commuting hermitian operators, one of which is positive definite. The theorem is illustrated on the example of non-hermitian effective Hamiltonians occurring in the non-perturbative form of the Bloch equation.
This paper extends some well-known conclusions about Hermitian operators in quantum mechanics to the case of non-Hermitian operators. Specifically, (1) it presents the eigenvalue structure of non-Hermitian operators satisfying algebraic equations; (2) for a class of diagonalizable non-Hermitian operators, it clarifies the relationship between commutativity, degenerate subspaces, and block diagonalization, and provides a visual representation; (3) taking the four-site spin-1/2 Heisenberg XXZ chain as an example, it specifically illustrates the physical implications and applications of these extended results.
We study the quantum-mechanical interpretation of models with non-Hermitian Hamiltonians and real spectra. We set up a general framework for the analysis of such systems in terms of Hermitian Hamiltonians defined in the usual Hilbert space L2(−∞,∞)L_2(-\infty,\infty)L2​(−∞,∞). Special emphasis is put on the correct definition of the algebra of physical observables. Within this scheme we consider various examples, including the model recently introduced by Cannata et al. and the model of Hatano and Nelson.
The spectral analysis of a non-Hermitian unbounded operator appearing in quantum physics is our main concern. The properties of such an operator are essentially different from those of Hermitian Hamiltonians, namely due to spectral instabilities. We demonstrate that the considered operator and its adjoint can be diagonalized when expressed in terms of certain conveniently constructed operators. We show that their eigenfunctions constitute complete systems, but do not form Riesz bases. Attempts to overcome this difficulty in the quantum mechanical set up are pointed out.
In quantum theory, a physical observable is represented by a Hermitian operator as it admits real eigenvalues. This stems from the fact that any measuring apparatus that is supposed to measure a physical observable will always yield a real number. However, the reality of an eigenvalue of some operator does not mean that it is necessarily Hermitian. There are examples of non-Hermitian operators that may admit real eigenvalues under some symmetry conditions. In general, given a non-Hermitian operator, its average value in a quantum state is a complex number and there are only very limited methods available to measure it. Following standard quantum mechanics, we provide an experimentally feasible protocol to measure the expectation value of any non-Hermitian operator via weak measurements. The average of a non-Hermitian operator in a pure state is a complex multiple of the weak value of the positive-semidefinite part of the non-Hermitian operator. We also prove an uncertainty relation for any two non-Hermitian operators and show that the fidelity of a quantum state under a quantum channel can be measured using the average of the corresponding Kraus operators. The importance of our method is shown in testing the stronger uncertainty relation, verifying the Ramanujan formula, and measuring the product of noncommuting projectors.