English

Metric Congruence in Finite-Dimensional Non-Hermitian Quantum Mechanics

Mathematical Physics 2026-06-27 v1

Abstract

We study metric representations in finite-dimensional non-Hermitian quantum mechanics. The main purpose of this work is to emphasize that the physical description of a non-Hermitian system may be formulated in different, but isomorphic, Hilbert spaces. In particular, within the Krein-space formalism, we show that the vector space endowed with an indefinite Krein metric can be explicitly related to the standard Hilbert space through a suitable isomorphism. This observation is essential for a consistent description of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. Physical states, metrics, and operators must be transported through the corresponding Hilbert-space isomorphism. In this way, equivalent representations of the same system can be used without changing the physical content of the theory. We illustrate these theoretical aspects by studying a two-level non-Hermitian spin model. We use the Robertson uncertainty relation as a consistency test. Apparent violations can arise when operators and states are kept fixed while the metric is changed, and therefore reflect a mismatch of representations rather than a failure of the uncertainty principle.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2606.28868,
  title  = {Metric Congruence in Finite-Dimensional Non-Hermitian Quantum Mechanics},
  author = {Ramirez Romina and Reboiro Marta},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2606.28868},
  year   = {2026}
}