arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Miloslav Znojil.
In the context of traditional quantum-control considerations it is conjectured that one of the promising new strategies of the constructive model building could be sought in a non-stationary upgrade of the formalism of PT-symmetric quantum mechanics. This upgrade is briefly reviewed and characterized by the simultaneous participation of a triplet of Hilbert spaces in the representation of a single quantum system.
A new family of non-Hermitian PT-symmetric quantum models is proposed in which the Hamiltonians $H=T+V$ are finite-dimensional and in which the dynamical-input potential $V$ is multi-parametric and non-local. The choice is supported by the exact solvability of Schrödinger equation and by the well known fact that in PT-symmetric models a non-locality is already present due to the generic kinematical non-diagonality of the Hermitizing metrics $Θ$. For a subfamily of our $H$s, also {\em all\,} of the eligible metrics $Θ$ appear obtainable in closed form.
The realization of a genuine phase transition in quantum mechanics requires that at least one of the Kato's exceptional-point parameters becomes real. A new family of finite-dimensional and time-parametrized quantum-lattice models with such a property is proposed and studied. All of them exhibit, at a real exceptional-point time $t=0$, the Jordan-block spectral degeneracy structure of some of their observables sampled by Hamiltonian $H(t)$ and site-position $Q(t)$. The passes through the critical instant $t=0$ are interpreted as schematic simulations of non-equivalent versions of the Big-Bang-like quantum catastrophes.
For non-Hermitian equilateral q-pointed star-shaped quantum graphs of paper I [Can. J. Phys. 90, 1287 (2012), arXiv 1205.5211] we show that due to certain dynamical aspects of the model as controlled by the external, rotation-symmetric complex Robin boundary conditions, the spectrum is obtainable in a closed asymptotic-expansion form, in principle at least. Explicit formulae up to the second order are derived for illustration, and a few comments on their consequences are added.
The overall principles of what is now widely known as PT-symmetric quantum mechanics are listed, explained and illustrated via a few examples. In particular, models based on an elementary local interaction V(x) are discussed as motivated by the naturally emergent possibility of an efficient regularization of an otherwise unacceptable presence of a strongly singular repulsive core in the origin. The emphasis is put on the constructive aspects of the models. Besides the overall outline of the formalism we show how the low-lying energies of bound states may be found in closed form in certain dynamical regimes. Finally, once these energies are found real we explain that in spite of a manifest non-Hermiticity of the Hamiltonian the time-evolution of the system becomes unitary in a properly amended physical Hilbert space.
A non-Hermitian $N-$level quantum model with two free real parameters is proposed in which the bound-state energies are given as roots of an elementary trigonometric expression and in which they are, in a physical domain of parameters, all real. The wave function components are expressed as closed-form superpositions of two Chebyshev polynomials. In any eligible physical Hilbert space of finite dimension $N < \infty$ our model is constructed as unitary with respect to an underlying Hilbert-space metric $Θ\neq I$. The simplest version of the latter metric is finally constructed, at any dimension $N=2,3,\ldots$, in closed form. This version of the model may be perceived as an exactly solvable $N-$site lattice analogue of the $N=\infty$ square well with complex Robin-type boundary conditions. At any $N<\infty$ our closed-form metric becomes trivial (i.e., equal to the most common Dirac's metric $Θ^{(Dirac)}=I$) at the special, Hermitian-Hamiltonian-limit parameters.
Three classes of finite-dimensional models of quantum systems exhibiting spectral degeneracies called quantum catastrophes are described in detail. Computer-assisted symbolic manipulation techniques are shown unexpectedly efficient for the purpose.
The elementary quadratic plus inverse sextic interaction containing a strongly singular repulsive core in the origin is made regular by a complex shift of coordinate $x = s-{\rm i}\varepsilon$. The shift $\varepsilon>0$ is fixed while the value of $s$ is kept real and potentially observable, $s \in (-\infty,\infty)$. The low-lying energies of bound states are found in closed form for the large couplings $g$. Within the asymptotically vanishing ${\cal O}(g^{-1/4})$ error bars these energies are real so that the time-evolution of the system may be expected unitary in an {\em ad hoc} physical Hilbert space.
The quantum many-body bound-state problem in its computationally successful coupled cluster method (CCM) representation is reconsidered. In conventional practice one factorizes the ground-state wave functions $|Ψ\rangle= e^S |Φ\rangle$ which live in the "physical" Hilbert space ${\cal H}^{(P)}$ using an elementary ansatz for $|Φ\rangle$ plus a formal expansion of $S$ in an operator basis of multi-configurational creation operators. In our paper a reinterpretation of the method is proposed. Using parallels between the CCM and the so called quasi-Hermitian, alias three-Hilbert-space (THS), quantum mechanics, the CCM transition from the known microscopic Hamiltonian (denoted by usual symbol $H$), which is self-adjoint in ${\cal H}^{(P)}$, to its effective lower-case isospectral avatar $\hat{h}=e^{-S} H e^S$, is assigned a THS interpretation. In the opposite direction, a THS-prescribed, non-CCM, innovative reinstallation of Hermiticity is shown to be possible for the CCM effective Hamiltonian $\hat{h}$, which only appears manifestly non-Hermitian in its own ("friendly") Hilbert space ${\cal H}^{(F)}$. This goal is achieved via an ad hoc amendment of the inner product in ${\cal H}^{(F)}$, thereby yielding the third ("standard") Hilbert space ${\cal H}^{(S)}$. Due to the resulting exact unitary equivalence between the first and third spaces, ${\cal H}^{(P)}\sim {\cal H}^{(S)}$, the indistinguishability of predictions calculated in these alternative physical frameworks is guaranteed.
The practical use of non-Hermitian (i.e., typically, PT-symmetric) phenomenological quantum Hamiltonians is discussed as requiring an explicit reconstruction of the {\em ad hoc} Hilbert-space metrics which would render the time-evolution unitary. Just the N-dimensional matrix toy models Hamiltonians are considered, therefore. For them, the matrix elements of alternative metrics are constructed via solution of a coupled set of polynomial equations, using the computer-assisted symbolic manipulations for the purpose. The feasibility and some consequences of such a model-construction strategy are illustrated via a discrete square well model endowed with multi-parametric close-to-the-boundary real bidiagonal-matrix interaction. The degenerate exceptional points marking the phase transitions are then studied numerically. A way towards classification of their unfoldings in topologically non-equivalent dynamical scenarios is outlined.
A compact review is given, and a few new numerical results are added to the recent studies of the q-pointed one-dimensional star-shaped quantum graphs. These graphs are assumed endowed with certain specific, manifestly non-Hermitian point interactions, localized either in the inner vertex or in all of the outer vertices and carrying, in the latter case, an interesting zero-inflow interpretation.
In a pre-selected Hilbert space of quantum states the unitarity of the evolution is usually guaranteed via a pre-selection of the generator (i.e., of the Hamiltonian operator) in self-adjoint form. In fact, the simultaneous use of both of these pre-selections is overrestrictive. One should be allowed to make a given Hamiltonian self-adjoint only after an {\em ad hoc} generalization of Hermitian conjugation. We argue that in the generalized, hidden-Hermiticity scenario with nontrivial metric, the current concept of solvability (meaning, most often, the feasibility of a non-numerical diagonalization of Hamiltonian) requires a generalization allowing for a non-numerical form of metric. A few illustrative solvable quantum models of this type are presented.
N-site-lattice Hamiltonians H are introduced and perceived as a set of systematic discrete approximants of a certain PT-symmetric square-well-potential model with the real spectrum and with a non-Hermiticity which is localized near the boundaries of the interval. Its strength is controlled by one, two or three parameters. The problem of the explicit construction of a nontrivial metric which makes the theory unitary is then addressed. It is proposed and demonstrated that due to the not too complicated tridiagonal-matrix form of our input Hamiltonians the computation of the metric is straightforward and that its matrix elements prove obtainable, non-numerically, in elementary polynomial forms.
For the description of quantum evolution, the use of a manifestly time-dependent quantum Hamiltonian $\mathfrak{h}(t) =\mathfrak{h}^\dagger(t)$ is shown equivalent to the work with its simplified, time-independent alternative $G\neq G^\dagger$. A tradeoff analysis is performed recommending the latter option. The physical unitarity requirement is shown fulfilled in a suitable ad hoc representation of Hilbert space.
We pick up a solvable ${\cal PT}-$symmetric quantum square well on an interval of $x \in := (-L,L)\mathbb{G}^{(2)}$ (with an $α-$dependent non-Hermiticity given by Robin boundary conditions) and generalize it. In essence, we just replace the support interval $\mathbb{G}^{(2)}$ (reinterpreted as an equilateral two-pointed star graph with the Kirchhoff matching at the vertex $x=0$) by a $q-$pointed equilateral star graph $\mathbb{G}^{(q)}$ endowed with the simplest complex-rotation-symmetric external $α-$dependent Robin boundary conditions. The remarkably compact form of the secular determinant is then deduced. Its analysis reveals that (1) at any integer $q=2,3,...$, there exists the same, $q-$independent and infinite subfamily of the real energies, and (2) at any special $q=2,6,10,...$, there exists another, additional and $q-$dependent infinite subfamily of the real energies. In the spirit of the recently proposed dynamical construction of the Hilbert space of a quantum system, the physical bound-state interpretation of these eigenvalues is finally proposed.
The consistency of the concept of quantum (quasi)particles possessing effective mass which is both position- and excitation-dependent is analyzed via simplified models. It is shown that the system may be stable even when the effective mass m=m(x,E) itself acquires negative values in a limited range of coordinates x and energies E.
The bound-state spectrum of a Hamiltonian H is assumed real in a non-empty domain D of physical values of parameters. This means that for these parameters, H may be called crypto-Hermitian, i.e., made Hermitian via an {\it ad hoc} choice of the inner product in the physical Hilbert space of quantum bound states (i.e., via an {\it ad hoc} construction of the so called metric). The name of quantum catastrophe is then assigned to the N-tuple-exceptional-point crossing, i.e., to the scenario in which we leave domain D along such a path that at the boundary of D, an N-plet of bound state energies degenerates and, subsequently, complexifies. At any fixed $N \geq 2$, this process is simulated via an N by N benchmark effective matrix Hamiltonian H. Finally, it is being assigned such a closed-form metric which is made unique via an N-extrapolation-friendliness requirement.
Besides the standard quantum version of the Coulomb/Kepler problem, an alternative quantum model with not too dissimilar phenomenological (i.e., spectral and scattering) as well as mathematical (i.e., exact-solvability) properties may be formulated and solved. Several aspects of this model are described. The paper is made self-contained by explaining the underlying innovative quantization strategy which assigns an entirely new role to symmetries.