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Two Simple Models Derived from a Quantum-Mechanical Particle on an Elliptical Path

Francisco Marcelo Fernández

Published Dec 11, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We analyze two simple models derived from a quantum-mechanical particle on an elliptical path. The first Hamiltonian operator is non-Hermitian but isomorphic to an Hermitian operator. It appears to exhibit the same two-fold degeneracy as the particle on a circular path. More precisely, \({E_{n} = {n^{2}E_{1}}},{n = {1,2,\ldots}}\) (in addition to an exact eigenvalue \(E_{0} = 0\)). The second Hamiltonian operator is Hermitian and does not exhibit such degeneracy. In this case the nth excited energy level splits at the nth order of perturbation theory. Both models can be described in terms of the same point-group symmetry.

DOI
10.32388/q2zxor.2

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We analyze two simple models derived from a quantum-mechanical particle on an elliptical path. The first Hamiltonian operator is non-Hermitian but isomorphic to an Hermitian operator. It appears to exhibit the same two-fold degeneracy as the particle on a circular path. More precisely, ({E_{n} = {n^{2}E_{1}}},{n = {1,2,\ldots}}) (in addition to an exact eigenvalue (E_{0} = 0)). The second Hamiltonian operator is Hermitian and does not exhibit such degeneracy. In this case the nth excited energy level splits at the nth order of perturbation theory. Both models can be described in terms of the same point-group symmetry.
We analyze two simple models derived from a quantum-mechanical particle on an elliptical path. The first Hamiltonian operator is non-Hermitian but isomorphic to an Hermitian operator. It appears to exhibit the same two-fold degeneracy as the particle on a circular path. More precisely, En=n2E1,n=1,2,…{E_{n} = {n^{2}E_{1}}},{n = {1,2,\ldots}}En​=n2E1​,n=1,2,… (in addition to an exact eigenvalue E0=0E_{0} = 0E0​=0). The second Hamiltonian operator is Hermitian and does not exhibit such degeneracy. In this case the nth excited energy level splits at the nth order of perturbation theory.
We analyze two simple models derived from a quantum-mechanical particle on an elliptical path. The first Hamiltonian operator is non-Hermitian but equivalent to an Hermitian operator. It exhibits the same two-fold degeneracy as the particle on a circular path. More precisely, the spectrum is $E_{n}=n^{2}E_{1},\ n=0,\pm 1,\pm 2,\ldots $, E1>0E_{1}>0E1​>0. The second Hamiltonian operator is Hermitian and does not exhibit such degeneracy. In this case the nth excited energy level splits at the nth order of perturbation theory. Both models can be described in terms of symmetry point groups with one-dimensional irreducible representations but the non-Hermitian example exhibits an additional symmetry that explains the two-fold degeneracy. The Schrödinger equation for the first example is exactly solvable.
We show a parameter-dependent 3×33\times 33×3 non-Hermitian matrix that exhibits both degeneracy and coalescence of eigenvalues at an exceptional point (Hermitian and non-Hermitian degeneracies). This simple non-Hermitian model is suitable for the discussion of those concepts in an undergraduate or graduate course on quantum-mechanics. We also study the symmetry group responsible for the degeneracy.
Exactly solvable models in quantum mechanics are very rare.However, perturbation theory is a powerful tool to research the complex quantum systems and is widely used in theoretical physics and chemistry.For the particle weakly perturbed by the surrounding environment, its energy eigenstate and eigenvalue are separately calculated up to the first-order and second-order perturbation approximations in the undergraduate textbook of quantum mechanics.Whereas in reality, we have to calculate the high-order perturbation correction terms occasionally.Along the same lines of the low-order perturbation correction terms of energy eigenvalues and eigenstate for stationary state perturbation theory in the non-degenerate case, the third-order and fourth-order perturbation correction terms are strictly attained in this paper.Moreover, it points out the essence of perturbation theory and provides its derivation ideas.Students are no longer afraid of tedious derivation and can derive any-order perturbation correction.These results can serve as an extension and supplement for the quantum mechanics textbooks.Furthermore, it is very helpful for students to deeply understand quantum perturbation theory.
In the context of two particularly interesting non-Hermitian models in quantum mechanics we explore the relationship between the original Hamiltonian H and its Hermitian counterpart h , obtained from H by a similarity transformation, as pointed out by Mostafazadeh. In the first model, due to Swanson, h turns out to be just a scaled harmonic oscillator, which explains the form of its spectrum. However, the transformation is not unique, which also means that the observables of the original theory are not uniquely determined by H alone. The second model we consider is the original PT -invariant Hamiltonian, with potential V = i gx 3 . In this case the corresponding h , which we are only able to construct in perturbation theory, corresponds to a complicated velocity-dependent potential. We again explore the relationship between the canonical variables x and p and the observables X and P .
In the context of two particularly interesting non-Hermitian models in quantum mechanics we explore the relationship between the original Hamiltonian H and its Hermitian counterpart h, obtained from H by a similarity transformation, as pointed out by Mostafazadeh. In the first model, due to Swanson, h turns out to be just a scaled harmonic oscillator, which explains the form of its spectrum. However, the transformation is not unique, which also means that the observables of the original theory are not uniquely determined by H alone. The second model we consider is the original PT-invariant Hamiltonian, with potential V = igx 3. In this case the corresponding h, which we are only able to construct in perturbation theory, corresponds to a complicated velocity-dependent potential. We again explore the relationship between the canonical variables x and p and the observables X and P. 1