English

New features of scattering from a one-dimensional non-Hermitian (complex) potential

Quantum Physics 2015-05-30 v3 Mathematical Physics math.MP

Abstract

For complex one-dimensional potentials, we propose the asymmetry of both reflectivity and transmitivity under time-reversal: R(k)R(k)R(-k)\ne R(k) and T(k)T(k)T(-k) \ne T(k), unless the potentials are real or PT-symmetric. For complex PT-symmetric scattering potentials, we propose that Rleft(k)=Rright(k)R_{left}(-k)=R_{right}(k) and T(k)=T(k)T(-k)=T(k). So far, the spectral singularities (SS) of a one-dimensional non-Hermitian scattering potential are witnessed/conjectured to be at most one. We present a new non-Hermitian parametrization of Scarf II potential to reveal its four new features. Firstly, it displays the just acclaimed (in)variances. Secondly, it can support two spectral singularities at two pre-assigned real energies (E=α2,β2E_*=\alpha^2,\beta^2) either in T(k)T(k) or in T(k)T(-k), when αβ>0\alpha\beta>0. Thirdly, when αβ<0\alpha \beta <0 it possesses one SS in T(k)T(k) and the other in T(k)T(-k). Fourthly, when the potential becomes PT-symmetric [(α+β)=0][(\alpha+\beta)=0], we get T(k)=T(k)T(k)=T(-k), it possesses a unique SS at E=α2E=\alpha^2 in both T(k)T(-k) and T(k)T(k). Lastly, for completeness, when α=iγ\alpha=i\gamma and β=iδ\beta=i\delta, there are no SS, instead we get two negative energies γ2-\gamma^2 and δ2-\delta^2 of the complex PT-symmetric Scarf II belonging to the two well-known branches of discrete bound state eigenvalues and no spectral singularity exists in this case. We find them as EM+=(γM)2E^{+}_{M}=-(\gamma-M)^2 and EN=(δN)2E^{-}_{N}=-(\delta-N)^2; M(N)=0,1,2,...M(N)=0,1,2,... with 0M(N)<γ(δ)0 \le M (N)< \gamma (\delta). {PACS: 03.65.Nk,11.30.Er,42.25.Bs}

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1110.4485,
  title  = {New features of scattering from a one-dimensional non-Hermitian (complex) potential},
  author = {Zafar Ahmed},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1110.4485},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

10 pages, one Table, one Figure, important changes, appeared as an FTC (J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 45(2012) 032004)

R2 v1 2026-06-21T19:23:11.298Z