Theory of response to perturbations in non-Hermitian systems using five-Hilbert-space reformulation of unitary quantum mechanics

Abstract

In conventional Schr\"{o}dinger representation the unitarity of the evolution of bound states is guaranteed by the Hermiticity of the Hamiltonian. A non-unitary isospectral simplification of the Hamiltonian, $\mathfrak{h} \to H=\Omega\,\mathfrak{h}\,\Omega \neq H^\dagger$ induces the change ${\cal L} \to {\cal K}$ of the Hilbert space of states, reflected by the loss of the Hermiticity of $H\neq H^\dagger$. In such a reformulation of the theory the introduction of an {\it ad hoc} inner-product metric reconverts ${\cal K}$ into the third, correct physical Hilbert space ${\cal H}$, unitarily equivalent to ${\cal L}$. The situation encountered, typically, in ${\cal PT}-$symmetric or relativistic quantum mechanics is shown more complicated after an inclusion of perturbations. The formulation and solution of the problem are presented. Some of the consequences relevant, e.g., in the analysis of stability are discussed.