We study the complex geometric phase acquired by the resonant states of an open quantum system which evolves irreversibly in a slowly time dependent environment. In analogy with the case of bound states, the Berry phase factors of resonant states are holonomy group elements of a complex line bundle with structure group C ∗. In sharp contrast with bound states, accidental degeneracies of resonances produce a continuous closed line of singularities formally equivalent to a continuous distribution of “magnetic” charge on a “diabolical ” circle, in consequence, we find different classes of topologically inequivalent non-trivial closed paths in parameter space. 1 Introduction. For many years now, it has been appreciated that there are distinct advantages in describing quantum resonances and the quantum phenomena associated to the production, evolution and decay of resonances in terms of resonant or Gamow states, since many physical effects are then readily expressed and evaluated[1]. In this work, we will give closed analytical expressions for the complex Berry phase of an open quantum
We study the complex geometric phase acquired by the resonant states of an open quantum system which evolves irreversibly in a slowly time dependent environment. In analogy with the case of bound states, the Berry phase factors of resonant states are holonomy group elements of a complex line bundle with structure group C ∗. In sharp contrast with bound states, accidental degeneracies of resonances produce a continuous closed line of singularities formally equivalent to a continuous distribution of “magnetic” charge on a “diabolical ” circle, in consequence, we find different classes of topologically inequivalent non-trivial closed paths in parameter space. 1 Introduction. For many years now, it has been appreciated that there are distinct advantages in describing quantum resonances and the quantum phenomena associated to the production, evolution and decay of resonances in terms of resonant or Gamow states, since many physical effects are then readily expressed and evaluated[1]. In this work, we will give closed analytical expressions for the complex Berry phase of an open quantum
We derive closed analytical expressions for the complex Berry phase of an open quantum system in a state which is a superposition of resonant states and evolves irreversibly due to the spontaneous decay of the metastable states. The codimension of an accidental degeneracy of resonances and the geometry of the energy hypersurfaces close to a crossing of resonances differ significantly from those of bound states. We discuss some of the consequences of these differences for the geometric phase factors. For example, instead of a diabolical point singularity there is a continuous closed line of singularities formally equivalent to a continuous distribution of `magnetic' charge on a diabolical circle, there are different classes of topologically inequivalent non-trivial closed paths in parameter space, the topological invariant associated with the sum of the geometric phases, dilations of the wavefunction due to the imaginary part of the Berry phase and others.
Non-Hermitian systems exhibit spectral and topological phenomena absent in Hermitian physics; however, their geometric characterization remains subtle due to the intrinsic ambiguity of biorthogonal eigenspaces. Since left and right eigenvectors are not related by Hermitian conjugation, the associated Berry connection is generally nonunique, leading to complex geometric phases and ambiguously defined holonomies. Here we formulate a covariant geometric framework for non-Hermitian quantum systems based on the metric structure of the underlying Hilbert space. We show that, in the quantum regime with continuous state evolution, the conventional Berry connection and the associated Berry holonomy over closed parameter-space loops can be consistently defined only in the pseudo-Hermitian limit, where the spectrum is real. For generic non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with complex spectra, the relevant geometric object is instead the Aharonov--Anandan holonomy associated with cyclic evolution in projective Hilbert space. Within the pseudo-Hermitian regime, we construct a unique Hermitian Berry connection that is covariant under arbitrary GL(N,C) frame transformations and reduces to the standard Berry connection in the Hermitian limit. The resulting formalism separates the intrinsic geometry of the Hamiltonian eigenspace from contributions arising from the parameter dependence of the Hilbert-space metric, revealing that the conventional biorthogonal formulation generally mixes these distinct geometric effects. Consequently, geometric phases, synthetic gauge fields, and topological characteristics commonly attributed to non-Hermitian eigenspace geometry may, in part, originate from the underlying metric structure. Our framework therefore provides a consistent geometric foundation for Berry phases, non-Abelian holonomies, and topological invariants in non-Hermitian quantum systems.
This thesis consists of several studies performed over different few-dof quantum systems exposed to the effect of an uncontrolled environment. The primary focus of the work is to explore the relation between decoherence and environmentally-induced dissipative effects, and the concept known as geometric phases. The first mention of such an object in the context of quantum mechanics goes back to the seminal work by Berry. He demonstrated that the phase acquired by an eigenstate of a time-dependent Hamiltonian in an adiabatic cycle consists of two distinct contributions: one termed 'geometric' and the other known as the dynamical phase. Since Berry's work, the notion of geometric phase has been extended far beyond the original context, encompassing definitions applicable to arbitrary unitary evolutions. These geometric phases naturally arise in the geometric description of Hilbert space, where they manifest as holonomies and possess significance in the fundamental understanding of quantum mechanics and its mathematical framework, and in explaining various physical phenomena, including the Fractional Hall Effect. Moreover, from a modern perspective, geometric phases hold promise for practical applications, such as constructing geometric gates for quantum information processing and storage. However, in practice, a pure state of a quantum system is an idealized concept, and every experimental or real-world implementation must account for the presence of an environment that interacts with the observed system. This interaction necessitates a description in terms of mixed states and non-unitary evolutions. The definition of a geometric phase applicable in such scenarios remains an open problem, giving rise to multiple proposed solutions. Consequently, characterizing these geometric phases encompase motivations from fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics to technological applications.
Non-Hermitian systems exhibit spectral and topological phenomena absent in Hermitian physics; however, their geometric characterization remains subtle due to the intrinsic ambiguity of biorthogonal eigenspaces. Since left and right eigenvectors are not related by Hermitian conjugation, the associated Berry connection is generally nonunique, leading to complex geometric phases and ambiguously defined holonomies. Here, we formulate a covariant geometric framework for non-Hermitian quantum systems based on the metric structure of the underlying Hilbert space. We show that, in the quantum regime with continuous state evolution, the conventional Berry connection and the associated Berry holonomy over closed parameter-space loops can be consistently defined only in the pseudo-Hermitian limit, where the spectrum is real. For generic non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with complex spectra, the relevant geometric object is instead the Aharonov-Anandan holonomy associated with cyclic evolution in projective Hilbert space. Within the pseudo-Hermitian regime, we construct a unique Hermitian Berry connection that is covariant under arbitrary GL(N,C) frame transformations and reduces to the standard Berry connection in the Hermitian limit. The resulting formalism separates the intrinsic geometry of the Hamiltonian eigenspace from contributions arising from the parameter dependence of the Hilbert-space metric, revealing that the conventional biorthogonal formulation generally mixes these distinct geometric effects. Consequently, geometric phases, synthetic gauge fields, and topological characteristics commonly attributed to non-Hermitian eigenspace geometry may, in part, originate from the underlying metric structure. Our framework therefore provides a consistent geometric foundation for Berry phases, non-Abelian holonomies, and topological invariants in non-Hermitian quantum systems.
Non-Hermitian systems exhibit spectral and topological phenomena absent in Hermitian physics; however, their geometric characterization remains subtle due to the intrinsic ambiguity of biorthogonal eigenspaces. Since left and right eigenvectors are not related by Hermitian conjugation, the associated Berry connection is generally nonunique, leading to complex geometric phases and ambiguously defined holonomies. Here, we formulate a covariant geometric framework for non-Hermitian quantum systems based on the metric structure of the underlying Hilbert space. We show that, in the quantum regime with continuous state evolution, the conventional Berry connection and the associated Berry holonomy over closed parameter-space loops can be consistently defined only in the pseudo-Hermitian limit, where the spectrum is real. For generic non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with complex spectra, the relevant geometric object is instead the Aharonov-Anandan holonomy associated with cyclic evolution in projective Hilbert space. Within the pseudo-Hermitian regime, we construct a unique Hermitian Berry connection that is covariant under arbitrary GL(N,C) frame transformations and reduces to the standard Berry connection in the Hermitian limit. The resulting formalism separates the intrinsic geometry of the Hamiltonian eigenspace from contributions arising from the parameter dependence of the Hilbert-space metric, revealing that the conventional biorthogonal formulation generally mixes these distinct geometric effects. Consequently, geometric phases, synthetic gauge fields, and topological characteristics commonly attributed to non-Hermitian eigenspace geometry may, in part, originate from the underlying metric structure. Our framework therefore provides a consistent geometric foundation for Berry phases, non-Abelian holonomies, and topological invariants in non-Hermitian quantum systems.