Liu
Bie Ju Centre for Mathematical Sciences
City University of Hong Kong
Mathematical Analysis and its Applications
Colloquium
Organized by Prof. Philippe G. Ciarlet and Prof. Roderick Wong
Making Sense of Non-Hermitian Hamiltonians
by
Professor Carl M. Bender
Physics Department, Washington University in St. Louis
and
Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Date: November 22, 2006 (Wednesday)
Time: 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Venue: Room B6605 (Faculty Conference Room)
Blue Zone, Level 6
Academic Building
City University of Hong Kong
Abstract:
It is a common belief that the Hamiltonian H must be Hermitian in order that the energy spectrum be real and that time evolution be unitary. In this talk we examine an alternative formulation of quantum mechanics in which the conventional requirement of Hermiticity is replaced by the more general and physical condition of space-time reflection (PT) symmetry. We show that even if a PT-symmetric Hamiltonian is non-Hermitian, its spectrum is real and positive and the time evolution is unitary. Two amazing examples of such PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians are H=p2+ix3 and H=p2-x4. In effect, we are extending quantum mechanics into the complex domain.
** All interested are welcome **
For enquiry: 2788-9816
| About Us |
| Membership |
| Key Research Areas |
| William Benter Distinguished Lecture Series |
| Conferences & Workshops |
| Bi-weekly Colloquium |
| Publications |
| Visitors |
| Link to the Department of Mathematics |  |