Behavior of eigenvalues in a region of broken PT symmetry
File(s)1702.03811v2.pdf (4.18 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
PT-symmetric quantum mechanics began with a study of the Hamiltonian H=p2+x2(ix)ɛ. When ɛ≥0, the eigenvalues of this non-Hermitian Hamiltonian are discrete, real, and positive. This portion of parameter space is known as the region of unbroken PT symmetry. In the region of broken PT symmetry, ɛ<0, only a finite number of eigenvalues are real and the remaining eigenvalues appear as complex-conjugate pairs. The region of unbroken PT symmetry has been studied but the region of broken PT symmetry has thus far been unexplored. This paper presents a detailed numerical and analytical examination of the behavior of the eigenvalues for −4<ɛ<0. In particular, it reports the discovery of an infinite-order exceptional point at ɛ=−1, a transition from a discrete spectrum to a partially continuous spectrum at ɛ=−2, a transition at the Coulomb value ɛ=−3, and the behavior of the eigenvalues as ɛ approaches the conformal limit ɛ=−4.
Date Issued
2017-05-15
Date Acceptance
2017-02-28
Citation
Physical Review A, 2017, 95 (5)
ISSN
1050-2947
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review A
Volume
95
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
©2017 American Physical Society
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000401443700002&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Optics
Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical
Physics
NON-HERMITIAN HAMILTONIANS
QUANTUM-MECHANICS
FIELD-THEORY
SYSTEM
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 052113