Is PT-symmetric quantum mechanics just quantum mechanics in a non-orthogonal basis?
| dc.creator | Martin, Damien | |
| dc.date | 2007-01-29 | |
| dc.date | 2007-02-17 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-07T07:47:12Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-07-07T07:47:12Z | |
| dc.description | One of the postulates of quantum mechanics is that the Hamiltonian is Hermitian, as this guarantees that the eigenvalues are real. Recently there has been an interest in asking if $H^\dagger = H$ is a necessary condition, and has lead to the development of PT-symmetric quantum mechanics. This note shows that any finite physically acceptable non-Hermitian Hamiltonian is equivalent to doing ordinary quantum mechanics in a non-orthogonal basis. In particular, this means that there is no experimental distinction between PT-symmetric quantum mechanics and ordinary quantum mechanics for finite systems. In particular, the claim that PT-symmetric quantum mechanics allows for faster evolution than Hermitian quantum mechanics is shown to be a problem of physical interpretation. | |
| dc.description | 16 pages; references added, sign error fixed | |
| dc.identifier | https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0701223 | |
| dc.identifier | http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0701223 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/124086 | |
| dc.subject | Quantum Physics | |
| dc.subject | High Energy Physics - Theory | |
| dc.title | Is PT-symmetric quantum mechanics just quantum mechanics in a non-orthogonal basis? | |
| dc.type | text |