No description available.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Over the past two decades, open systems that are described by a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian have become a subject of intense research. These systems encompass classical wave systems with balanced gain and loss, semi-classical models with mode selective losses, and lossy quantum systems. The rapidly growing research on these systems has mainly focused on the wide range of novel functionalities they demonstrate. In this thesis, I intend to present some intriguing properties of a class of open systems which possess parity (P) and time-reversal (T) symmetry with a theoretical background, accompanied by the experimental platform these are realized on. These systems show distinct regions of broken and unbroken symmetries separated by a special phase boundary in the parameter space. This separating boundary is called the PT-breaking threshold or the PT transition threshold. We investigate non-Hermitian systems in two settings: tight binding lattice models, and electrical circuits, with the help of theoretical and numerical techniques. With lattice models, we explore the PT-symmetry breaking threshold in discrete realizations of systems with balanced gain and loss which is determined by the effective coupling between the gain and loss sites. In one-dimensional chains, this threshold is maximum when the two sites are closest to each other or the farthest. We investigate the fate of this threshold in the presence of parallel, strongly coupled, Hermitian (neutral) chains, and find that it is increased by a factor proportional to the number of neutral chains. These results provide a surprising way to engineer the PT threshold in experimentally accessible samples. In another example, we investigate the PT-threshold for a one-dimensional, finite Kitaev chain—a prototype for a p-wave superconductor— in the presence of a single pair of gain and loss potentials as a function of the superconducting order parameter, onsite potential, and the distance between the gain and loss sites. In addition to a robust, non-local threshold, we find a rich phase diagram for the threshold that can be qualitatively understood in terms of the band-structure of the Hermitian Kitaev model. Finally, with electrical circuits, we propose a protocol to study the properties of a PT-symmetric system in a single LC oscillator circuit which is contrary to the notion that these systems require a pair of spatially separated balanced gain and loss elements. With a dynamically tunable LC oscillator with synthetically constructed circuit elements, we demonstrate static and Floquet PT breaking transitions by tracking the energy of the circuit. Distinct from traditional mechanisms to implement gain and loss, our protocol enables parity-time symmetry in a minimal classical system.

The ALPHA experiment at CERN is an ongoing project which tests fundamental symmetries between matter and antimatter by producing and trapping antihydrogen atoms in order to perform precision spectroscopic measurements. A logical next step is to form the antihydrogen molecular ion (consisting of one positron and two antiprotons). This system possesses net charge, and can therefore be trapped electrostatically, making repeated measurements possible. Moreover it has been suggested that the molecule has the potential to allow for higher-precision comparisons with ordinary matter than have been attained with the atom. Since both momentum and energy have to be conserved in a collision, a simple collision process between an antihydrogen atom (“Hbar”) and an antiproton (“pbar”) does not suffice in order to form the molecular ion. However it is possible, upon mixing of the two species, for a pbar colliding with an Hbar in the ground electronic state to form a metastable molecular state (i.e., a resonance) which is weakly coupled to a stable molecular state (i.e., a bound state) via spontaneous quadrupole transition. During the time a metastable ion exists, a second pbar can happen to undergo a Coulomb collision with the metastable molecular ion. The quadrupole electrostatic interaction with this secondary antiproton acts as a time-dependent perturbation on the molecular system which can strengthen the coupling between resonance and bound state. Hence a collision with a secondary pbar can induce a transition to a bound state whereby the excess energy is carried off by the secondary pbar. This work aims to determine the efficiency of the process just described. On the theoretical side, the following is done: a study is conducted on the topic of resonance scattering as it relates to the problem in consideration; building on this study a generalized time-dependent perturbation theory is constructed which is valid for transitions to and from resonant states as well as bound states. On the numerical side: the effective potential for pbar-Hbar scattering in the ground electronic state is obtained numerically within the adiabatic approximation; the energies and lifetimes of the resonant states of the molecular ion are estimated; a temperature-dependent rate coefficient is obtained for the process described which, in order to obtain a proper rate, needs to be multiplied by the square of the density of the antiproton plasma and by the number of antihydrogen atoms. It is concluded that at current capacity for trapping and storage of pbar and Hbar the process examined is not competitive with respect to other formation routes which have been proposed for the molecular ion.

<p>This dissertation focuses on emergent geometry from SU(1,1) dynamical symmetry and non-Hermitian physics. While the geometrical approach unifies distinct phenomena in Hermitian and non-Hermitian systems, it also provides distinct means of coherent control of quantum dynamics and simulating exotic spacetimes.</p>

<p>Over the past two decades, open systems that are described by a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian have become a subject of intense research. These systems encompass classical wave systems with balanced gain and loss, semi-classical models with mode selective losses, and lossy quantum systems. The rapidly growing research on these systems has mainly focused on the wide range of novel functionalities they demonstrate. In this thesis, I intend to present some intriguing properties of a class of open systems which possess parity (P) and time-reversal (T) symmetry with a theoretical background, accompanied by the experimental platform these are realized on. These systems show distinct regions of broken and unbroken symmetries separated by a special phase boundary in the parameter space. This separating boundary is called the PT-breaking threshold or the PT transition threshold.</p> <p>We investigate non-Hermitian systems in two settings: tight binding lattice models, and electrical circuits, with the help of theoretical and numerical techniques. </p> <p><br></p> <p>With lattice models, we explore the PT-symmetry breaking threshold in discrete realizations of systems with balanced gain and loss which is determined by the effective coupling between the gain and loss sites. In one-dimensional chains, this threshold is maximum when the two sites are closest to each other or the farthest. We investigate the fate of this threshold in the presence of parallel, strongly coupled, Hermitian (neutral) chains, and find that it is increased by a factor proportional to the number of neutral chains. These results provide a surprising way to engineer the PT threshold in experimentally accessible samples.</p> <p>In another example, we investigate the PT-threshold for a one-dimensional, finite Kitaev chain—a prototype for a p-wave superconductor— in the presence of a single pair of gain and loss potentials as a function of the superconducting order parameter, onsite potential, and the distance between the gain and loss sites. In addition to a robust, non-local</p> <p>threshold, we find a rich phase diagram for the threshold that can be qualitatively understood in terms of the band-structure of the Hermitian Kitaev model.</p> <p>Finally, with electrical circuits, we propose a protocol to study the properties of a PT-symmetric system in a single LC oscillator circuit which is contrary to the notion that these systems require a pair of spatially separated balanced gain and loss elements. With a dynamically tunable LC oscillator with synthetically constructed circuit elements, we demonstrate static and</p> <p>Floquet PT breaking transitions by tracking the energy of the circuit. Distinct from traditional mechanisms to implement gain and loss, our protocol enables parity-time symmetry in a minimal classical system.</p>

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Open quantum systems have become a rapidly developing sector for research. Such systems present novel physical phenomena, such as topological chirality, enhanced sensitivity, and unidirectional invisibility resulting from both their non-equilibrium dynamics and the presence of exceptional points. We begin by introducing the core features of open systems governed by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, providing the PT -dimer as an illustrative example. Proceeding, we introduce the Lindblad master equation which provides a working description of decoherence in quantum systems, and investigate its properties through the Decohering Dimer and periodic potentials. We then detail our preferred experimental apparatus governed by the Lindbladian. Finally, we introduce the Liouvillian, its relation to non-Hermitian Hamiltonians and Lindbladians, and through it investigate multiple properties of open quantum systems.

Simetrias compõe parte integral da análise na Teoria das Matrizes Aleatórias (RMT). As simetrias de inversão temporal e rotacional são aspectos-chave do Ensemble Gaussiano Ortogonal (GOE), enquanto esta última é quebrada no Ensemble Gaussiano Simplético (GSE) e ambas são quebradas no Conjunto Unitário Gaussiano (GUE). Desde o final da década de 1990, o crescente interesse no campo dos sistemas quânticos PT-simétricos levou os pesquisadores a considerar o efeito, em matrizes aleatórias, dessa classe de simetrias, bem como simetrias pseudo-hermitianas. A principal questão a ser respondida pela pesquisa apresentada nesta tese é se a simetria PT ou, de forma mais geral, a pseudo-Hermiticidade implica alguma distribuição de probabilidade específica para os autovalores. Ou, em outras palavras, se há um aspecto comum transmitido por tal simetria que pode ser usada para modelar alguma classe particular de sistemas físicos. A abordagem inicial considerada consistiu na introdução de um conjunto pseudo-hermitiano, isospectral ao conjunto -Hermite, que apresentaria o tipo de quebra de realidade típico dos sistemas PT-simétricos. Nesse modelo, a primeira abordagem adotada foi a introdução de perturbações que quebraram a realidade dos espectros. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que a transformação em seu similar pseudo-hermitiano conduz a um sistema assintoticamente instável. Esse modelo foi extendido ao considerar um pseudo-hermitiano não positivo, que leva a uma quebra similar na realidade dos espectros. Este caso apresenta um comportamento mais próximo do típico dos sistemas PT-simétricos presentes na literatura. Um modelo denso geral baseado em projetores foi proposto, e duas realizações particulares deste modelo receberam atenção mais detalhada. O comportamento espectral também foi similar àquele típico da simetria PT para as duas realizações consideradas, e seus limites assintóticos foram conectados a conjuntos clássicos de teoria de matriz aleatória. Além disso, as propriedades de seus polinômios característicos médios foram obtidas e os limites assintóticos desses polinômios também foram considerados e relacionados a polinômios clássicos. O comportamento estatístico deste conjunto foi estudado e comparado com o destes polinômios. Impor a pseudo-Hermiticidade não parece implicar qualquer distribuição particular de autovalores, sendo a característica comum a quebra da realidade dos autovalores comumente encontrados na literatura de simetria PT. O resultado mais notável dos estudos apresentados nesta tese é o fato de que uma interação pseudo-hermitiana pode ser construída de tal forma que o comportamento espectral médio possa ser controlado calibrando-se o mecanismo de interação, bem como sua intensidade. / The role of symmetries is an integral part of the analysis in Random Matrix Theory (RMT). Time reversal and rotational symmetries are key aspects of the Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble (GOE), whereas the latter is broken in the Gaussian Sympletic Ensemble (GSE) and both are broken in the Gaussian Unitary Ensemble (GUE). Since the late 1990s, growing interest in the field of PT symmetric quantum systems has led researchers to consider the effect, in random matrices, of this class of symmetries, as well as that of pseudo-Hermitian symmetries. The primary question to be answered by the research presented in this thesis is whether PT-symmetry or, more generally, pseudo-Hermiticity implies some specific probability distribution for the eigenvalues. Or, in other words, whether there is a common aspect imparted by such a symmetry which may be used to model some particular class of physical systems. The initial approach considered consisted of introducing an pseudo-Hermitian ensemble, isospectral to the -Hermite ensemble, which would present the type of reality-breaking typical of PT-symmetrical systems. In this model, the first approach taken was to introduce perturbation which broke the reality of the spectra. The results obtained allow the conclusion that the transformation into its pseudo-Hermitian similar leads into a system which is asymptotically unstable. An extension of this model was to consider a non-positive pseudo-Hermitian , which lead to similar breaking in the reality of the spectra. This case displays behavior closer to that typical of the PT-symmetric systems present in the literature. A general dense projector model was proposed, and two particular realizations of this model were given more detailed attention. The spectral behavior was also similar to that typical of PT-symmetry for the two realizations considered, and their asymptotic limits were shown to connect to classical ensembles of random matrix theory. Furthermore, the properties of their average characteristic polynomials were obtained and the asymptotic limits of these polynomials were also considered and were related to classical polynomials. The statistical behavior of this ensemble was studied and compared to that of these polynomials. Imposing the pseudo-Hermitian does seem not imply any particular eigenvalue distribution, the common feature being the breaking of the reality of the eigenvalues commonly found in PT-symmetry literature. The most notable result of the studies presented herein is the fact that a pseudo-Hermitian interaction may be constructed such that the average spectral behavior may be controlled by calibrating the mechanism of interaction as well as its intensity.

<p>Open quantum systems have become a rapidly developing sector for research. Such systems present novel physical phenomena, such as topological chirality, enhanced sensitivity, and unidirectional invisibility resulting from both their non-equilibrium dynamics and the presence of exceptional points.</p> <p><br></p> <p>We begin by introducing the core features of open systems governed by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, providing the PT -dimer as an illustrative example. Proceeding, we introduce the Lindblad master equation which provides a working description of decoherence in quantum systems, and investigate its properties through the Decohering Dimer and periodic potentials. We then detail our preferred experimental apparatus governed by the Lindbladian. Finally, we introduce the Liouvillian, its relation to non-Hermitian Hamiltonians and Lindbladians, and through it investigate multiple properties of open quantum systems.</p>