Projective Hilbert space structures at exceptional points

A non-Hermitian complex symmetric 2 × 2-matrix toy model is used to study projective Hilbert space structures in the vicinity of exceptional points (EPs). The bi-orthogonal eigenvectors of a diagonalizable matrix are Puiseux-expanded in terms of the root vectors at the EP. It is shown that the apparent contradiction between the two incompatible normalization conditions with finite and singular behaviour in the EP-limit can be resolved by projectively extending the original Hilbert space. The complementary normalization conditions correspond then to two different affine charts of this enlarged projective Hilbert space. Geometric phase and phase-jump behaviour are analysed, and the usefulness of the phase rigidity as measure for the distance to EP configurations is demonstrated. Finally, EP-related aspects of -symmetrically extended quantum mechanics are discussed and a conjecture concerning the quantum brachistochrone problem is formulated.A non-Hermitian complex symmetric 2 × 2-matrix toy model is used to study projective Hilbert space structures in the vicinity of exceptional points (EPs). The bi-orthogonal eigenvectors of a diagonalizable matrix are Puiseux-expanded in terms of the root vectors at the EP. It is shown that the apparent contradiction between the two incompatible normalization conditions with finite and singular behaviour in the EP-limit can be resolved by projectively extending the original Hilbert space. The complementary normalization conditions correspond then to two different affine charts of this enlarged projective Hilbert space. Geometric phase and phase-jump behaviour are analysed, and the usefulness of the phase rigidity as measure for the distance to EP configurations is demonstrated. Finally, EP-related aspects of -symmetrically extended quantum mechanics are discussed and a conjecture concerning the quantum brachistochrone problem is formulated.

arXiv:0704.1291Journal of Physics A Mathematical and TheoreticalJul 12, 2007101 citations

Extended exceptional points in projected non-Hermitian systems

Xiao-Ran Wang, Fei Yang, Xianqi Tong +3 more

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.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.

New Journal of PhysicsMar 1, 20242 citations

Supersymmetry and Exceptional Points

Miloslav Znojil

The phenomenon of degeneracy of energy levels is often attributed either to an underlying (super)symmetry (SUSY), or to the presence of a Kato exceptional point (EP). In our paper a conceptual bridge between the two notions is proposed to be provided by the recent upgrade of the basic principles of quantum theory called, equivalently, PT − symmetric or three-Hilbert-space (3HS) or quasi-Hermitian formulation in the current physical literature. Although the original purpose of the 3HS approach laid in the mere simplification of technicalities, it is shown here to serve also as a natural theoretical link between the apparently remote concepts of EPs and SUSY. An explicit illustration of their close mutual interplay is provided by the description of infinitely many supersymmetric, mutually non-equivalent and EP-separated regularized spiked harmonic oscillators.The phenomenon of degeneracy of energy levels is often attributed either to an underlying (super)symmetry (SUSY), or to the presence of a Kato exceptional point (EP). In our paper a conceptual bridge between the two notions is proposed to be provided by the recent upgrade of the basic principles of quantum theory called, equivalently, PT − symmetric or three-Hilbert-space (3HS) or quasi-Hermitian formulation in the current physical literature. Although the original purpose of the 3HS approach laid in the mere simplification of technicalities, it is shown here to serve also as a natural theoretical link between the apparently remote concepts of EPs and SUSY. An explicit illustration of their close mutual interplay is provided by the description of infinitely many supersymmetric, mutually non-equivalent and EP-separated regularized spiked harmonic oscillators.

arXiv:2005.04508SymmetryJun 1, 20206 citations

Geometric phase from encircling an exceptional point of a quantum resonance in the complex-scaling method

Okuto Morikawa, Shoya Ogawa, Soma Onoda

Non-Hermitian operators are now routinely used to describe few-mode systems such as optical resonators and superconducting qubits, and exceptional points (EPs) are defective spectral singularities of such non-Hermitian operators. In contrast, the scattering-theoretic formulation of EP physics for unbounded Hamiltonians remains less settled. In this work, we formulate the geometric phase associated with encircling an EP when the underlying eigenstates are quantum resonances within a one-dimensional scattering model. To do this, we employ the complex-scaling method, where resonance poles of the S matrix are realized as discrete eigenvalues of the non-Hermitian dilated Hamiltonian, to construct situations in which resonant and scattering states coalesce into an EP in the complex energy plane, that is, the resonance pole is embedded into the continuum spectrum. We analyze the self-orthogonality in the vicinity of an EP, the Berry phase, and the Chern characteristic. Our results clarify how EP branch structure and geometric holonomy arise directly from resonance poles in scattering theory, thereby connecting non-Hermitian spectral topology with the traditional theory of quantum resonances.Non-Hermitian operators are now routinely used to describe few-mode systems such as optical resonators and superconducting qubits, and exceptional points (EPs) are defective spectral singularities of such non-Hermitian operators. In contrast, the scattering-theoretic formulation of EP physics for unbounded Hamiltonians remains less settled. In this work, we formulate the geometric phase associated with encircling an EP when the underlying eigenstates are quantum resonances within a one-dimensional scattering model. To do this, we employ the complex-scaling method, where resonance poles of the S matrix are realized as discrete eigenvalues of the non-Hermitian dilated Hamiltonian, to construct situations in which resonant and scattering states coalesce into an EP in the complex energy plane, that is, the resonance pole is embedded into the continuum spectrum. We analyze the self-orthogonality in the vicinity of an EP, the Berry phase, and the Chern characteristic. Our results clarify how EP branch structure and geometric holonomy arise directly from resonance poles in scattering theory, thereby connecting non-Hermitian spectral topology with the traditional theory of quantum resonances.

quant-pharXiv:2512.24528Jan 1, 2026

Multiblock exceptional points in open quantum systems

Aysel Shiralieva, Grigory A. Starkov, Björn Trauzettel

Open quantum systems can be approximately described by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians (NHHs) and Liouvillian superoperators. The two approaches differ by quantum jump terms corresponding to a measurement of the system by its environment. We analyze the emergence of exceptional points (EPs) in NHHs and Liouvillian superoperators. In particular, we show how EPs in NHHs relate to a novel type of EPs -- multi-block EPs -- in the no-jump Liouvillian, i.e. the Liouvillian superoperator in absence of quantum jump terms. We further analyze how quantum jump terms modify the multi-block structure. To illustrate our general findings, we present two prime examples: qubits and qutrits coupled to additional ground state levels that serve as sinks of the population. In those examples, we can navigate through the EP block structure by a variation of physical parameters. We analyze how the dynamics of the population of the states is affected by the order of the EPs. Additionally, we demonstrate that the quantum geometric tensor serves as a sensitive indicator of EPs of different kinds.Open quantum systems can be approximately described by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians (NHHs) and Liouvillian superoperators. The two approaches differ by quantum jump terms corresponding to a measurement of the system by its environment. We analyze the emergence of exceptional points (EPs) in NHHs and Liouvillian superoperators. In particular, we show how EPs in NHHs relate to a novel type of EPs -- multi-block EPs -- in the no-jump Liouvillian, i.e. the Liouvillian superoperator in absence of quantum jump terms. We further analyze how quantum jump terms modify the multi-block structure. To illustrate our general findings, we present two prime examples: qubits and qutrits coupled to additional ground state levels that serve as sinks of the population. In those examples, we can navigate through the EP block structure by a variation of physical parameters. We analyze how the dynamics of the population of the states is affected by the order of the EPs. Additionally, we demonstrate that the quantum geometric tensor serves as a sensitive indicator of EPs of different kinds.

arXiv:2509.11856Physical Review AMar 16, 20261 citation

Asymptotic non-Hermitian degeneracy phenomenon and its exactly solvable simulation

Miloslav Znojil

Up to these days, the popular PT-symmetric imaginary cubic oscillator did not find any consistent probabilistic quantum-mechanical interpretation because its Hamiltonian has been shown, by mathematicians, intrinsic-exceptional-point (IEP) singular. In the paper we explain why there is even no reasonable small-perturbation-based regularization of the similar unacceptable (i.e., IEP-singular) quantum models. The explanation is based on a partial formal analogy of the IEP singularity with the conventional exceptional point (EP). What is important is that we are able to construct a simplified $N$ by $N$ -matrix (and exactly solvable) toy-model Hamiltonian admitting the asymptotic (i.e., high-excitation) EP-related wave-function degeneracy which, in some sense (i.e., in the limit of large $N$ ) mimics several aspects of its IEP analogue. In this comparison, the difference is that the regularization of the EP singularities is possible (using an ad hoc perturbation of size ${\cal O}(1/N)$ ) while an analogous regularization of the IEP singularity is not (we have to consider $N \to \infty$ ).Up to these days, the popular PT-symmetric imaginary cubic oscillator did not find any consistent probabilistic quantum-mechanical interpretation because its Hamiltonian has been shown, by mathematicians, intrinsic-exceptional-point (IEP) singular. In the paper we explain why there is even no reasonable small-perturbation-based regularization of the similar unacceptable (i.e., IEP-singular) quantum models. The explanation is based on a partial formal analogy of the IEP singularity with the conventional exceptional point (EP). What is important is that we are able to construct a simplified $N$ by $N$-matrix (and exactly solvable) toy-model Hamiltonian admitting the asymptotic (i.e., high-excitation) EP-related wave-function degeneracy which, in some sense (i.e., in the limit of large $N$) mimics several aspects of its IEP analogue. In this comparison, the difference is that the regularization of the EP singularities is possible (using an ad hoc perturbation of size ${\cal O}(1/N)$) while an analogous regularization of the IEP singularity is not (we have to consider $N \to \infty$).

quant-pharXiv:2603.13141SymmetryMar 16, 20260 citations

N

N

-matrix (and exactly solvable) toy-model Hamiltonian admitting the asymptotic (i.e., high-excitation) EP-related wave-function degeneracy which, in some sense (i.e., in the limit of large

N

) mimics several aspects of its IEP analogue. In this comparison, the difference is that the regularization of the EP singularities is possible (using an ad hoc perturbation of size

{\cal O}(1/N)

) while an analogous regularization of the IEP singularity is not (we have to consider

N \to \infty