On the invariant method for the time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonians

Abstract

We propose a scheme to deal with certain time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonian operators $H(t)$ that generate a real phase in their time-evolution. This involves the use of invariant operators $I_{PH}(t)$ that are pseudo-Hermitian with respect to the time-dependent metric operator, which implies that the dynamics is governed by unitary time evolution. Furthermore, $H(t)$ is not generally quasi-Hermitian and does not define an observable of the system but $I_{PH}(t)$ obeys a quasi-hermiticity transformation as in the completely time-independent Hamiltonian systems case. The harmonic oscillator with a time-dependent frequency under the action of a complex time-dependent linear potential is considered as an illustrative example.