Calculation of the metric in the Hilbert space of a PT-symmetric model via the spectral theorem

Abstract

In a previous paper (arXiv:math-ph/0604055) we introduced a very simple PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonian with real spectrum and derived a closed formula for the metric operator relating the problem to a Hermitian one. In this note we propose an alternative formula for the metric operator, which we believe is more elegant and whose construction -- based on a backward use of the spectral theorem for self-adjoint operators -- provides new insights into the nature of the model.