Non-Hermitian Quantum Mechanics

The first book to present NHQM, useful to advanced graduate students and researchers in physics, chemistry and engineering.

Nimrod Moiseyev (Author)

9780521889728, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 February 2011

410 pages
25.5 x 18 x 2.5 cm, 0.95 kg

'A unique, timely and comprehensive collection of material relating to the quantum physics and chemistry of resonance and absorption, combining mathematical principles, numerics, applications and solved exercises, representing a lifetime of research by the author and his collaborators.' Michael Berry, University of Bristol

Non-Hermitian quantum mechanics (NHQM) is an important alternative to the standard (Hermitian) formalism of quantum mechanics, enabling the solution of otherwise difficult problems. The first book to present this theory, it is useful to advanced graduate students and researchers in physics, chemistry and engineering. NHQM provides powerful numerical and analytical tools for the study of resonance phenomena - perhaps one of the most striking events in nature. It is especially useful for problems whose solutions cause extreme difficulties within the structure of a conventional Hermitian framework. NHQM has applications in a variety of fields, including optics, where the refractive index is complex; quantum field theory, where the parity-time (PT) symmetry properties of the Hamiltonian are investigated; and atomic and molecular physics and electrical engineering, where complex potentials are introduced to simplify numerical calculations.

1. Different formulations of quantum mechanics
2. Resonance phenomena in nature
3. Resonances from Hermitian quantum mechanics calculations
4. Resonances from non-Hermitian quantum mechanics calculations
5. Square integrable resonance wavefunctions
6. Bi-orthogonal product (C-product)
7. The properties of the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian
8. Non-Hermitian scattering theory
9. The self-orthogonality phenomenon
10. The point where quantum mechanics branches into two formalisms
Index.

Subject Areas: Quantum physics [quantum mechanics & quantum field theory PHQ], Atomic & molecular physics [PHM], Condensed matter physics [liquid state & solid state physics PHFC]