$PT$-symmetric classical mechanics

TL;DR

This paper explores the classical trajectories of non-Hermitian PT-symmetric Hamiltonians, revealing new phenomena like separatrix trajectories, critical initial values, broken PT-symmetry regions, and a topological transition at epsilon=2.

Contribution

It provides an in-depth analysis of classical trajectories in PT-symmetric Hamiltonians, uncovering phenomena previously overlooked and identifying a topological transition at epsilon=2.

Findings

Existence of infinitely many separatrix trajectories

Sequences of critical initial values linked to classical orbits

Identification of regions with broken PT-symmetry

Abstract

This paper reports the results of an ongoing in-depth analysis of the classical trajectories of the class of non-Hermitian $PT$-symmetric Hamiltonians $H=p^2+ x^2(ix)^\varepsilon$ ($\varepsilon\geq0$). A variety of phenomena, heretofore overlooked, have been discovered such as the existence of infinitely many separatrix trajectories, sequences of critical initial values associated with limiting classical orbits, regions of broken $PT$-symmetric classical trajectories, and a remarkable topological transition at $\varepsilon=2$. This investigation is a work in progress and it is not complete; many features of complex trajectories are still under study.