The brachistochrone problem in open quantum systems

TL;DR

This paper explores how the passage time in open quantum systems can be tuned using non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, especially near exceptional points, highlighting effects beyond standard quantum mechanics.

Contribution

It demonstrates that passage time is adjustable in open quantum systems due to biorthogonality of eigenfunctions, extending the quantum brachistochrone problem to realistic non-Hermitian models.

Findings

Passage time decreases in the crossover from weak to strong coupling regimes.

Resonance state overlap and exceptional points influence passage time.

Standard Hermitian quantum mechanics cannot fully describe these effects.

Abstract

Recently, the quantum brachistochrone problem is discussed in the literature by using non-Hermitian Hamilton operators of different type. Here, it is demonstrated that the passage time is tunable in realistic open quantum systems due to the biorthogonality of the eigenfunctions of the non-Hermitian Hamilton operator. As an example, the numerical results obtained by Bulgakov et al. for the transmission through microwave cavities of different shape are analyzed from the point of view of the brachistochrone problem. The passage time is shortened in the crossover from the weak-coupling to the strong-coupling regime where the resonance states overlap and many branch points (exceptional points) in the complex plane exist. The effect can {\it not} be described in the framework of standard quantum mechanics with Hermitian Hamilton operator and consideration of $S$ matrix poles.