Asymmetric transmission through a flux-controlled non-Hermitian scattering center

X. Q. Li, X. Z. Zhang, G. Zhang, Z. Song

We study the possibility of asymmetric transmission induced by a non-Hermitian scattering center embedded in a one-dimensional waveguide, motivated by the aim of realizing quantum diode in a non-Hermitian system. It is shown that a PT symmetric non-Hermitian scattering center always has symmetric transmission although the dynamics within the isolated center can be unidirectional, especially at its exceptional point. We propose a concrete scheme based on a flux-controlled non-Hermitian scattering center, which comprises a non-Hermitian triangular ring threaded by an Aharonov-Bohm flux. The analytical solution shows that such a complex scattering center acts as a diode at the resonant energy level of the spectral singularity, exhibiting perfect unidirectionality of the transmission. The connections between the phenomena of the asymmetric transmission and reflectionless absorption are also discussed.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1409.0420
Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

Geometric phase and phase diagram for non-Hermitian quantum XY model

X. Z. Zhang, Z. Song

We study the geometric phase for the ground state of a generalized one-dimensional non-Hermitian quantum XY model, which has transverse-field-dependent intrinsic rotation-time reversal symmetry. Based on the exact solution, this model is shown to have full real spectrum in multiple regions for the finite size system. The result indicates that the phase diagram or exceptional boundary, which separates the unbroken and broken symmetry regions corresponds to the divergence of the Berry curvature. The scaling behaviors of the groundstate energy and Berry curvature are obtained in an analytical manner for a concrete system.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1308.4057
Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

Momentum-independent reflectionless transmission in the non-Hermitian time-reversal symmetric system

X. Z. Zhang, Z. Song

We theoretically study the non-Hermitian systems, the non-Hermiticity of which arises from the unequal hopping amplitude (UHA) dimers. The distinguishing features of these models are that they have full real spectra if all of the eigenvectors are time-reversal (T) symmetric rather than parity-time-reversal (PT) symmetric, and that their Hermitian counterparts are shown to be an experimentally accessible system, which have the same topological structures as that of the original ones but modulated hopping amplitudes within the unbroken region. Under the reflectionless transmission condition, the scattering behavior of momentum-independent reflectionless transmission (RT) can be achieved in the concerned non-Hermitian system. This peculiar feature indicates that, for a certain class of non-Hermitian systems with a balanced combination of the RT dimers, the defects can appear fully invisible to an outside observer.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1306.1969

Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

Non-Hermitian quantum mechanics viewed from quantum mechanics

Yan-Gang Miao, Zhen-Ming Xu

Real eigenvalues of some non-Hermitian (pseudo-Hermitian or PT-symmetric) Hamiltonians can be determined by solving operator quantum equations of motion rather than Schroedinger equations within the framework of quantum mechanics. This method is in particular applicable for the class of models which are closely related to the harmonic oscillator. In this way, a new application of quantum mechanics is thus given.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1212.6705
Quantum Physics (quant-ph); High Energy Physics – Theory (hep-th)

Self-sustained emission in semi-infinite non-Hermitian systems at the exceptional point

X. Z. Zhang, L. Jin, Z. Song

Complex potential and non-Hermitian hopping amplitude are building blocks of a non-Hermitian quantum network. Appropriate configuration, such as PT-symmetric distribution, can lead to the full real spectrum. To investigate the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon, we study the phase diagram of a semi-infinite non-Hermitian system. It consists of a finite non-Hermitian cluster and a semi-infinite lead. Based on the analysis of the solution of the concrete systems, it is shown that it can have the full real spectrum without any requirements on the symmetry and the wave function within the lead becomes a unidirectional plane wave at the exceptional point. This universal dynamical behavior is demonstrated as the persistent emission and reflectionless absorption of wave packets in the typical non-Hermitian systems containing the complex on-site potential and non-Hermitian hopping amplitude.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1212.0086

Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

Non-Hermitian anisotropic XY model with intrinsic rotation-time reversal symmetry

X. Z. Zhang, Z. Song

We systematically study the non-Hermitian version of the one-dimensional anisotropic XY model, which in its original form, is a unique exactly solvable quantum spin model for understanding the quantum phase transition. The distinguishing features of this model are that it has full real spectrum if all the eigenvectors are intrinsic rotation-time reversal (RT) symmetric rather than parity-time reversal (PT) symmetric, and that its Hermitian counterpart is shown approximately to be an experimentally accessible system, an isotropic XY spin chain with nearest neighbor coupling. Based on the exact solution, exceptional points which separated the unbroken and broken symmetry regions are obtained and lie on a hyperbola in the thermodynamic limit. It provides a nice paradigm to elucidate the complex quantum mechanics theory for a quantum spin system.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.5613
Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

Investigation of PT-symmetric Hamiltonian systems from an alternative point of view

Jun-Qing Li, Qian Li, Yan-Gang Miao

Two non-Hermitian PT-symmetric Hamiltonian systems are reconsidered by means of the algebraic method which was originally proposed for the pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian systems rather than for the PT-symmetric ones. Compared with the way converting a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian to its Hermitian counterpart, this method has the merit that keeps the Hilbert space of the non-Hermitian PT-symmetric Hamiltonian unchanged. In order to give the positive definite inner product for the PT-symmetric systems, a new operator V, instead of C, can be introduced. The operator V has the similar function to the operator C adopted normally in the PT-symmetric quantum mechanics, however, it has the advantage that V can be constructed directly in terms of Hamiltonians. The spectra of the two non-Hermitian PT-symmetric systems are obtained, which coincide with that given in literature, and in particular, the Hilbert spaces associated with positive definite inner products are worked out.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1204.6544
Quantum Physics (quant-ph); High Energy Physics – Theory (hep-th); Mathematical Physics (math-ph)

Spontaneous breaking of permutation symmetry in pseudo-hermitian quantum mechanics

Jun-Qing Li, Yan-Gang Miao

By adding an imaginary potential proportional to $$ip_1p_2$$ to the hamiltonian of an anisotropic planar oscillator, we construct a model which is described by a non-hermitian hamiltonian with PT pseudo-hermiticity. We introduce the mechanism of the spontaneous breaking of permutation symmetry of the hamiltonian for diagonalizing the hamiltonian. By applying the definition of annihilation and creation operators which are PT pseudo-hermitian adjoint to each other, we give the real spectra.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1110.2312
Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

Jun-Qing Li, Yan-Gang Miao

By adding an imaginary potential proportional to ip_1p_2 to the hamiltonian of an anisotropic planar oscillator, we construct a model which is described by a non-hermitian hamiltonian with PT pseudo-hermiticity. We introduce the mechanism of the spontaneous breaking of permutation symmetry of the hamiltonian for diagonalizing the hamiltonian. By applying the definition of annihilation and creation operators which are PT pseudo-hermitian adjoint to each other, we give the real spectra.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1110.2312

Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

Hermitian scattering behavior for the non-Hermitian scattering center

L. Jin, Z. Song

We study the scattering problem for the non-Hermitian scattering center, which consists of two Hermitian clusters with anti-Hermitian couplings between them. Counterintuitively, it is shown that it acts as a Hermitian scattering center, satisfying $$|r| ^{2}+|t| ^{2}=1$$, i.e., the Dirac probability current is conserved, when one of two clusters is embedded in the waveguides. This conclusion can be applied to an arbitrary parity-symmetric real Hermitian graph with additional PT-symmetric potentials, which is more feasible in experiment. Exactly solvable model is presented to illustrate the theory. Bethe ansatz solution indicates that the transmission spectrum of such a cluster displays peculiar feature arising from the non-Hermiticity of the scattering center.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1109.2187
Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

Algebraic method for pseudo-hermitian Hamiltonian

Jun-Qing Li, Yan-Gang Miao, Zhao Xue

An algebraic method for pseudo-hermitian systems is proposed through redefining annihilation and creation operators which are pseudo-hermitian adjoint to each other. As an example, a parity-pseudo-hermitian Hamiltonian is constructed and then analyzed in detail. Its real spectrum is obtained by means of the algebraic method, in which a new operator $V$ is introduced in order to define new annihilation and creation operators and to keep pseudo-hermitian inner products positive definite. It is shown that this P-pseudo-hermitian Hamiltonian also possesses PV-pseudo-hermiticity, where PV ensures a positive definite inner product. Moreover, when the parity-pseudo-hermitian system is extended to the canonical noncommutative space with noncommutative spatial coordinates and noncommutative momenta as well, the first order noncommutative correction of energy levels is calculated, and in particular the reality of energy spectra and the positive definiteness of inner products are found to be not altered by the noncommutativity.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1107.4972
Quantum Physics (quant-ph); High Energy Physics – Theory (hep-th)