PseudoHermiticity versus PT symmetry 3: Equivalence of pseudoHermiticity and the presence of antilinear symmetries

Mar, 2002
15 pages
Published in:
  • J.Math.Phys. 43 (2002) 3944-3951
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Abstract:
We show that a diagonalizable (non-Hermitian) Hamiltonian H is pseudo-Hermitian if and only if it has an antilinear symmetry, i.e., a symmetry generated by an invertible antilinear operator. This implies that the eigenvalues of H are real or come in complex conjugate pairs if and only if H possesses such a symmetry. In particular, the reality of the spectrum of H implies the presence of an antilinear symmetry. We further show that the spectrum of H is real if and only if there is a positive-definite inner-product on the Hilbert space with respect to which H is Hermitian or alternatively there is a pseudo-canonical transformation of the Hilbert space that maps H into a Hermitian operator.
Note:
  • Slightly expanded version, accepted for publication in J. Math. Phys