We analyse some PT-symmetric oscillators with \(T_d\) symmetry that depend on a potential parameter \(g\). We calculate the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for each irreducible representation and for a range of values of \(g\). Pairs of eigenvalues coalesce at exceptional points \(g_c\); their magnitude roughly decreasing with the magnitude of the eigenvalues. It is difficult to estimate whether there is a phase transition at a nonzero value of g as conjectured in earlier papers. Group theory and perturbation theory enable one to predict whether a given space-time symmetry leads to real eigenvalues for sufficiently small nonzero values of \(g\).

http://arxiv.org/abs/1409.2672
Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

We discuss space-time symmetric Hamiltonian operators of the form \(H=H_{0}+igH^{\prime}\), where \(H_{0}\) is Hermitian and \(g\) real. \(H_0\) is invariant under the unitary operations of a point group \(G\) while \(H^\prime\) is invariant under transformation by elements of a subgroup \(G^\prime\) of \(G\). If \(G\) exhibits irreducible representations of dimension greater than unity, then it is possible that \(H\) has complex eigenvalues for sufficiently small nonzero values of \(g\). In the particular case that \(H\) is parity-time symmetric then it appears to exhibit real eigenvalues for all \(0<g<g_c\), where \(g_{c}\) is the exceptional point closest to the origin. Point-group symmetry and perturbation theory enable one to predict whether \(H\) may exhibit real or complex eigenvalues for \(g>0\). We illustrate the main theoretical results and conclusions of this paper by means of two- and three-dimensional Hamiltonians exhibiting a variety of different point-group symmetries.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1405.5234
Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

We analyse several non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with antiunitary symmetry from the point of view of their point-group symmetry. We show that PT-symmetric Hamiltonians with point-group symmetry \(C_{2v}\) exhibit complex eigenvalues for all values of a potential parameter. In such cases the PT phase transition takes place at the trivial Hermitian limit.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1309.0808

Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

We discuss a PT-symmetric Hamiltonian with complex eigenvalues. It is based on the dimensionless Schrodinger equation for a particle in a square box with the PT-symmetric potential \(V(x,y)=iaxy\). Perturbation theory clearly shows that some of the eigenvalues are complex for sufficiently small values of \(|a|\). Point-group symmetry proves useful to guess if some of the eigenvalues may already be complex for all values of the coupling constant. We confirm those conclusions by means of an accurate numerical calculation based on the diagonalization method. On the other hand, the Schrodinger equation with the potential \(V(x,y)=iaxy^{2}\) exhibits real eigenvalues for sufficiently small values of \(|a|\). Point group symmetry suggests that PT-symmetry may be broken in the former case and unbroken in the latter one.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1308.6179
Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

We study both analytically and numerically the spectrum of inhomogeneous strings with \(\mathcal{PT}\)-symmetric density. We discuss an exactly solvable model of \(\mathcal{PT}\)-symmetric string which is isospectral to the uniform string; for more general strings, we calculate exactly the sum rules \(Z(p) \equiv \sum_{n=1}^\infty 1/E_n^p\), with \(p=1,2,\dots\) and find explicit expressions which can be used to obtain bounds on the lowest eigenvalue. A detailed numerical calculation is carried out for two non-solvable models depending on a parameter, obtaining precise estimates of the critical values where pair of real eigenvalues become complex.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1306.1419
Mathematical Physics (math-ph)

We consider a class of one-dimensional nonhermitian oscillators and discuss the relationship between the real eigenvalues of PT-symmetric oscillators and the resonances obtained by different authors. We also show the relationship between the strong-coupling expansions for the eigenvalues of those oscillators. Comparison of the results of the complex rotation and the Riccati-Pad\(\’{e}\) methods reveals that the optimal rotation angle converts the oscillator into either a PT-symmetric or an Hermitian one. In addition to the real positive eigenvalues the PT-symmetric oscillators exhibit real positive resonances under different boundary conditions. They can be calculated by means of the straightforward diagonalization method. The Riccati-Pad\(\’e\) method yields not only the resonances of the nonhermitian oscillators but also the eigenvalues of the PT-symmetric ones.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1301.1676
Mathematical Physics (math-ph); Quantum Physics (quant-ph)