Search arXivSearch

arXiv · 0902.2308

Analytically solvable Hamiltonians for quantum systems with a nearest neighbour interaction

Abstract

We consider quantum systems consisting of a linear chain of n harmonic oscillators coupled by a nearest neighbour interaction of the form $-q_r q_{r+1}$ ($q_r$ refers to the position of the $r$th oscillator). In principle, such systems are always numerically solvable and involve the eigenvalues of the interaction matrix. In this paper, we investigate when such a system is analytically solvable, i.e. when the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the interaction matrix have analytically closed expressions. This is the case when the interaction matrix coincides with the Jacobi matrix of a system of discrete orthogonal polynomials. Our study of possible systems leads to three new analytically solvable Hamiltonians: with a Krawtchouk interaction, a Hahn interaction or a q-Krawtchouk interaction. For each of these cases, we give the spectrum of the Hamiltonian (in analytic form) and discuss some typical properties of the spectra.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

G. Regniers, J. Van der Jeugt. 2009-02-13. Analytically solvable Hamiltonians for quantum systems with a nearest neighbour interaction. https://doi.org/10.1088/1751-8113%2F42%2F12%2F125301

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

The Kuramoto model on the Sierpinski Gasket II: Twisted states

We study the Kuramoto model (KM) of coupled phase oscillators on graphs approximating the Sierpinski gasket (SG). As the size of the graph tends to infinity, the limit points of the sequence of stable equilibria in the KM correspond to the minima of the Dirichlet energy, i.e., to harmonic maps from the SG to the circle. We provide a complete description of the stable equilibria of the continuum limit of the KM on graphs approximating the SG, under both Dirichlet and free boundary conditions. We show that there is a unique stable equilibrium in each homotopy class of continuous functions from the SG to the circle. These equilibria serve as generalizations of the classical twisted states on ring networks. Furthermore, we extend the analysis to the KM on post-critically finite fractals. The results of this work reveal the link between self-similar organization and network dynamics.

math-ph

de Sitter Scalar Discrete Series: Gupta-Bleuler Structure and Holography

We show that scalar discrete-series unitary irreducible representations (UIRs) $Π_{p,0}$ ($p=1,2,\cdots$) of the de Sitter (dS) group $\mathrm{SO}_0(1,4)$ admit a dS-covariant Krein realization on the dS hyperboloid, endowed with a dS-invariant non-degenerate Klein-Gordon (KG) sesquilinear form, in which the group action is indecomposable and organizes naturally into a Gupta-Bleuler triplet. The positive- and negative-norm sectors are already present in the underlying Krein space, whereas a null sector emerges only at an intermediate stage, where the induced KG form becomes degenerate and its radical leads canonically to the physical quotient carrying the UIR $Π_{p,0}$. We further show that suitable limits of the bulk theory at the ``future'' and ``past'' conformal boundaries ${\mathcal{I}}^\pm$ give rise to dS-invariant boundary realizations endowed with induced kernel inner products. While the bulk negative-norm sector admits no independent boundary counterpart, the boundary realization retains the physical and gauge structures inherited from the bulk. The resulting boundary module nevertheless remains indecomposable, with its physical quotient carrying the discrete-series representation $Π_{p,0}$. The antipodal symmetry provides a natural relation between the realizations on ${\mathcal{I}}^+$ and ${\mathcal{I}}^-$, ensuring the consistency of the boundary construction and its geometric interpretation. At the heart of the analysis lies a Fourier-type bulk-boundary transform that provides a dS-covariant identification of the bulk and boundary physical sectors, establishing a one-to-one intertwining correspondence between the bulk and boundary realizations of $Π_{p,0}$ while preserving reflection positivity.

math-ph

A Functorial Theory of Defects in Abelian Chern-Simons Theory

Recent work has constructed Abelian Chern-Simons theories as categorical TQFTs, allowing us to naturally incorporate categorical defects and construct defect extensions of Abelian Chern-Simons TQFTs. We first identify the Turaev-Viro realizations of Abelian Chern-Simons theory in the center and doubled pointed modular cases, clarifying the distinction between single bulk realizations and canonical doubled ones. Alternatively, the Alterfold construction supplies the associated topological boundaries, domain walls, and condensation sectors, establishing an explicit Alterfold/Chern-Simons dictionary. We show that the finite quadratic module is the invariant controlling the bulk theory, its topological symmetries, orientation-reversal invariance, and defects. We further show that multicomponent Abelian BF theory arises as the extended TQFT of an off-diagonal Abelian Chern-Simons theory, placing it naturally within the same extended framework. Finally, we demonstrate that recently proposed Abelian Chern-Simons dualities do not define a genuine TQFT duality. These results provide a concrete model for defects in Abelian topological orders and suggest a route toward the non-Abelian case.

math-ph