On the theory of \(\mathcal{PT}\)-symmetric operators (Q1933310)

It is known that the operator \(H=-\frac{d^2}{dx^2}+x^2(ix)^{\varepsilon}\), \(0\leq \varepsilon <2\), is non-selfadjoint in \(L_2(\mathbb{R})\) and its spectrum is real and positive. \textit{C. M. Bender} and \textit{S. Boettcher} [Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, No. 24, 5243--5246 (1998; Zbl 0947.81018)] explained such a property of the non-selfadjoint operator by its \(\mathcal{PT}\)-symmetry. This paper gives an abstract definition of \(\mathcal{PT}\)-symmetric operators in an arbitrary Hilbert space \(\mathfrak{H}\) and analyzes the status of \(\mathcal{PT}\)-symmetric operators as selfadjoint operators in Krein spaces. The authors note that \(\mathcal{PT}\)-symmetric operators are not always selfadjoint relative to the definite metric generated in the space \(\mathfrak{H} \) by the operator \(\mathcal{P}\). However, it is shown that \(\mathcal{PT}\)-symmetric quasi-selfadjoint extensions of symmetric operators with deficiency indices \(\langle 2,2 \rangle\) can play a role as selfadjoint operators in Krein spaces. Lastly, the results are illustrated with \(\mathcal{PT}\)-symmetric Schrödinger operators with singular potentials.