arXiv subjects

H. F. Jones

Publications and source records attributed to H. F. Jones.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Conceptual Problems in Scattering from Localized non-Hermitian Potentials

We highlight the conceptual issues that arise when one applies the quasi-Hermitian framework to analyze scattering from localized non-Hermitian potentials, in particular complex square-wells or delta-functions. When treated in the framework of conventional quantum mechanics, these potentials are generally considered as effective theories, in which probability is not conserved because of processes that have been ignored. However, if they are treated as fundamental theories, the Hilbert-space metric must be changed. In order for the newly-defined probability to be conserved, it must differ from the standard one, even at asymptotically large distances from the scattering centre, and the mechanism for this is the non-locality of the new metric, as we show in detail in the model of a single complex delta function. However, properties of distant bound-state systems, which do not interact physically with the non-Hermitian scattering potential, should not be affected. We analyze a model Hamiltonian that supports this contention.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

The disappearing $Q$ operator

In the Schroedinger formulation of non-Hermitian quantum theories a positive-definite metric operator $η\equiv e^{-Q}$ must be introduced in order to ensure their probabilistic interpretation. This operator also gives an equivalent Hermitian theory, by means of a similarity transformation. If, however, quantum mechanics is formulated in terms of functional integrals, we show that the $Q$ operator makes only a subliminal appearance and is not needed for the calculation of expectation values. Instead, the relation to the Hermitian theory is encoded via the external source $j(t)$. These points are illustrated and amplified for two non-Hermitian quantum theories: the Swanson model, a non-Hermitian transform of the simple harmonic oscillator, and the wrong-sign quartic oscillator, which has been shown to be equivalent to a conventional asymmetric quartic oscillator.

hep-th↗

arXiv2006

On the Path-Integral Derivation of the Anomaly for the Hermitian Equivalent of the Complex $PT$-Symmetric Quartic Hamiltonian

It can be shown using operator techniques that the non-Hermitian $PT$-symmetric quantum mechanical Hamiltonian with a "wrong-sign" quartic potential $-gx^4$ is equivalent to a Hermitian Hamiltonian with a positive quartic potential together with a linear term. A naive derivation of the same result in the path-integral approach misses this linear term. In a recent paper by Bender et al. it was pointed out that this term was in the nature of a parity anomaly and a more careful, discretized treatment of the path integral appeared to reproduce it successfully. However, on re-examination of this derivation we find that a yet more careful treatment is necessary, keeping terms that were ignored in that paper. An alternative, much simpler derivation is given using the additional potential that has been shown to appear whenever a change of variables to curvilinear coordinates is made in a functional integral.

hep-th↗

arXiv2006

An Equivalent Hermitian Hamiltonian for the non-Hermitian -x^4 Potential

The potential -x^4, which is unbounded below on the real line, can give rise to a well-posed bound state problem when x is taken on a contour in the lower-half complex plane. It is then PT-symmetric rather than Hermitian. Nonetheless it has been shown numerically to have a real spectrum, and a proof of reality, involving the correspondence between ordinary differential equations and integral systems, was subsequently constructed for the general class of potentials -(ix)^N. For PT-symmetric but non-Hermitian Hamiltonians the natural PT metric is not positive definite, but a dynamically-defined positive-definite metric can be defined, depending on an operator Q. Further, with the help of this operator an equivalent Hermitian Hamiltonian h can be constructed. This programme has been carried out exactly for a few soluble models, and the first few terms of a perturbative expansion have been found for the potential m^2x^2+igx^3. However, until now, the -x^4 potential has proved intractable. In the present paper we give explicit, closed-form expressions for Q and h, which are made possible by a particular parametrization of the contour in the complex plane on which the problem is defined. This constitutes an explicit proof of the reality of the spectrum. The resulting equivalent Hamiltonian has a potential with a positive quartic term together with a linear term.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2005

Dual PT-Symmetric Quantum Field Theories

Some quantum field theories described by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians are investigated. It is shown that for the case of a free fermion field theory with a $γ_5$ mass term the Hamiltonian is $\cal PT$-symmetric. Depending on the mass parameter this symmetry may be either broken or unbroken. When the $\cal PT$ symmetry is unbroken, the spectrum of the quantum field theory is real. For the $\cal PT$-symmetric version of the massive Thirring model in two-dimensional space-time, which is dual to the $\cal PT$-symmetric scalar Sine-Gordon model, an exact construction of the $\cal C$ operator is given. It is shown that the $\cal PT$-symmetric massive Thirring and Sine-Gordon models are equivalent to the conventional Hermitian massive Thirring and Sine-Gordon models with appropriately shifted masses.

hep-th↗

arXiv2004

On Pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians and Their Hermitian Counterparts

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.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2003

Quantum field dynamics of the slow rollover in the linear delta expansion

We show how the linear delta expansion, as applied to the slow-roll transition in quantum mechanics, can be recast in the closed time-path formalism. This results in simpler, explicit expressions than were obtained in the Schrödinger formulation and allows for a straightforward generalization to higher dimensions. Motivated by the success of the method in the quantum-mechanical problem, where it has been shown to give more accurate results for longer than existing alternatives, we apply the linear delta expansion to four-dimensional field theory. At small times all methods agree. At later times, the first-order linear delta expansion is consistently higher that Hartree-Fock, but does not show any sign of a turnover. A turnover emerges in second-order of the method, but the value of $<\hatΦ^2(t)>$ at the turnover is larger that that given by the Hartree-Fock approximation. Based on this calculation, and our experience in the corresponding quantum-mechanical problem, we believe that the Hartree-Fock approximation does indeed underestimate the value of $<\hatΦ^2(t)>$ at the turnover. In subsequent applications of the method we hope to implement the calculation in the context of an expanding universe, following the line of earlier calculations by Boyanovsky {\sl et al.}, who used the Hartree-Fock and large-N methods. It seems clear, however, that the method will become unreliable as the system enters the reheating stage.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2001

Bound States of Non-Hermitian Quantum Field Theories

The spectrum of the Hermitian Hamiltonian ${1\over2}p^2+{1\over2}m^2x^2+gx^4$ ($g>0$), which describes the quantum anharmonic oscillator, is real and positive. The non-Hermitian quantum-mechanical Hamiltonian $H={1\over2}p^2+{1 \over2}m^2x^2-gx^4$, where the coupling constant $g$ is real and positive, is ${\cal PT}$-symmetric. As a consequence, the spectrum of $H$ is known to be real and positive as well. Here, it is shown that there is a significant difference between these two theories: When $g$ is sufficiently small, the latter Hamiltonian exhibits a two-particle bound state while the former does not. The bound state persists in the corresponding non-Hermitian ${\cal PT}$-symmetric $-gϕ^4$ quantum field theory for all dimensions $0\leq D<3$ but is not present in the conventional Hermitian $gϕ^4$ field theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2000

Non-perturbative calculations of a global U(1) theory at finite density and temperature

We use an optimised hopping parameter expansion for the free energy (linear delta expansion) to study the phase transitions at finite temperature and finite charge density in a global U(1) scalar Higgs sector on the lattice at large lattice couplings. We are able to plot out phase diagrams in lattice parameter space and find that the standard second-order phase transition with temperature at zero chemical potential becomes first order as the chemical potential increases.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2000

Quantum Dynamics of the Slow Rollover Transition in the Linear Delta Expansion

We apply the linear delta expansion to the quantum mechanical version of the slow rollover transition which is an important feature of inflationary models of the early universe. The method, which goes beyond the Gaussian approximation, gives results which stay close to the exact solution for longer than previous methods. It provides a promising basis for extension to a full field theoretic treatment.

hep-th↗

arXiv2000

Double-Scaling Limit of a Broken Symmetry Quantum Field Theory

The Ising limit of a conventional Hermitian parity-symmetric scalar quantum field theory is a correlated limit in which two bare Lagrangian parameters, the coupling constant $g$ and the {\it negative} mass squared $-m^2$, both approach infinity with the ratio $-m^2/g=α>0$ held fixed. In this limit the renormalized mass of the asymptotic theory is finite. Moreover, the limiting theory exhibits universal properties. For a non-Hermitian $\cal PT$-symmetric Lagrangian lacking parity symmetry, whose interaction term has the form $-g(iϕ)^N/N$, the renormalized mass diverges in this correlated limit. Nevertheless, the asymptotic theory still has interesting properties. For example, the one-point Green's function approaches the value $-iα^{1/(N-2)}$ independently of the space-time dimension $D$ for $D<2$. Moreover, while the Ising limit of a parity-symmetric quantum field theory is dominated by a dilute instanton gas, the corresponding correlated limit of a $\cal PT$-symmetric quantum field theory without parity symmetry is dominated by a constant-field configuration with corrections determined by a weak-coupling expansion in which the expansion parameter (the amplitude of the vertices of the graphs in this expansion) is proportional to an inverse power of $g$. We thus observe a weak-coupling/strong-coupling duality in that while the Ising limit is a strong-coupling limit of the quantum field theory, the expansion about this limit takes the form of a conventional weak-coupling expansion. A possible generalization of the Ising limit to dimensions $D<4$ is briefly discussed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2000

The Renormalized Thermal Mass with Non-Zero Charge Density

The linear $δ$ expansion is used to obtain corrections up to O$(δ^2)$ to the self-energy for a complex scalar field theory with a $λ(ϕ^{\star}ϕ)^2$ interaction at high temperature and non-zero charge density. The calculation is done in the imaginary-time formalism via the Hamiltonian form of the path integral. Nonperturbative results are generated by a systematic order by order variational procedure and the dependence of the critical temperature on the chemical potential $μ$ is obtained.

hep-th↗

arXiv1999

The energy spectrum of complex periodic potentials of the Kronig-Penney type

We consider a complex periodic PT-symmetric potential of the Kronig-Penney type, in order to elucidate the peculiar properties found by Bender et al. for potentials of the form $V=i(\sin x)^{2N+1}$, and in particular the absence of anti-periodic solutions. In this model we show explicitly why these solutions disappear as soon as $V^*(x)\neq V(x)$, and spell out the consequences for the form of the dispersion relation.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1999

Complex Square Well --- A New Exactly Solvable Quantum Mechanical Model

Recently, a class of PT-invariant quantum mechanical models described by the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian $H=p^2+x^2(ix)^ε$ was studied. It was found that the energy levels for this theory are real for all $ε\geq0$. Here, the limit as $ε\to\infty$ is examined. It is shown that in this limit, the theory becomes exactly solvable. A generalization of this Hamiltonian, $H=p^2+x^{2M}(ix)^ε$ (M=1,2,3,...) is also studied, and this PT-symmetric Hamiltonian becomes exactly solvable in the large-εlimit as well. In effect, what is obtained in each case is a complex analog of the Hamiltonian for the square well potential. Expansions about the large-εlimit are obtained.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1998

Conformal Mapping, Power Corrections, and the QCD Bound State Spectrum

We analyze the heavy quark bound state spectrum using an order-dependent conformal mapping to re-sum the perturbative expansion for current correlators. The procedure consists of two main steps. Firstly, the Borel plane structure of the truncated perturbative expression is modified to ensure consistency with the operator product expansion. This is analogous to a resummation of infrared renormalon chains. Secondly, this perturbative expansion is conformally mapped to a new series with improved convergence properties. This approach may be shown to induce power corrections consistent with existing condensates, and the resulting expansion may be ordered in powers of an infrared-analytic effective coupling. The technique is then applied to $c\bar{c}$ and $b\bar{b}$ sum rules without any explicit introduction of vacuum condensate parameters. Ground state masses for the vector, axial--vector, and $A'$ channels are well reproduced, while results for the scalar--pseudoscalar mass splitting are less impressive.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1997

Applying the linear delta expansion to `i phi^3'

The linear $δ$ expansion (LDE) is applied to the Hamiltonian $H=(p^2 +m^2 x^2)/2 + igx^3$, which arises in the study of Lee-Yang zeros in statistical mechanics. Despite being non-Hermitian, this Hamiltonian appears to possess a real, positive spectrum. In the LDE, as in perturbation theory, the eigenvalues are naturally real, so a proof of this property devolves on the convergence of the expansion. A proof of convergence of a modified version of the LDE is provided for the $ix^3$ potential in zero dimensions. The methods developed in zero dimensions are then extended to quantum mechanics, where we provide numerical evidence for convergence.

hep-th↗

arXiv1997

On the Phase Structure of the 3D SU(2)--Higgs Model and the Electroweak Phase Transition

The phase structure of the 3D SU(2)--Higgs model, the dimensionally reduced effective theory for the electroweak model at finite temperature, is analysed on the lattice using a variant of the linear $\de$--expansion. We develop a systematic variational cumulant expansion for general application to the study of gauge invariant operators in 3D gauge-Higgs models, with emphasis on the symmetric phase. In particular, the technique is not restricted to finite lattice volumes, and application to the fundamental 3D SU(2)--Higgs model allows the discontinuity of certain observables across the first--order transition to be observed directly for small 4D Higgs masses. The resulting phase structure agrees well with Monte Carlo simulations for small Higgs masses, but, at least to the order calculated, the technique is less sensitive to the expected evolution of the transition to a crossover for Higgs masses above 80 GeV.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1997

An Analytical Approach to Lattice Gauge-Higgs Models

We describe an application of the linear $\de$-expansion to the calculation of correlation functions in SU(2)-Higgs lattice gauge theory. A significant advantage of the technique is that an infinite volume lattice may be used, allowing the non-analyticity in certain observables at a phase transition to be observed directly. We illustrate the approach with a preliminary application to the 3D SU(2)-Higgs model, as the dimensionally reduced effective theory for the electroweak standard model at high temperature, and calculate certain gauge invariant observables near the phase boundaries.

hep-ph↗