Symmetries and invariants for non-Hermitian Hamiltonians (Q6104293)

Summary: We discuss Hamiltonian symmetries and invariants for quantum systems driven by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. For time-independent Hermitian Hamiltonians, a unitary or antiunitary transformation \(A H A^\dagger\) that leaves the Hamiltonian \(H\) unchanged represents a symmetry of the Hamiltonian, which implies the commutativity \([H, A] = 0\) and, if \(A\) is linear and time-independent, a conservation law, namely the invariance of expectation values of \(A\). For non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, \(H^\dagger\) comes into play as a distinct operator that complements \(H\) in generalized unitarity relations. The above description of symmetries has to be extended to include also \(A\)-pseudohermiticity relations of the form \(A H = H^\dagger A\). A superoperator formulation of Hamiltonian symmetries is provided and exemplified for Hamiltonians of a particle moving in one-dimension considering the set of \(A\) operators that form Klein's 4-group: parity, time-reversal, parity\&time-reversal, and unity. The link between symmetry and conservation laws is discussed and shown to be richer and subtler for non-Hermitian than for Hermitian Hamiltonians.