Hellmann Feynman Theorem in Non-Hermitian system

Abstract

We revisit the celebrated Hellmann-Feynman theorem (HFT) in the PT invariant non-Hermitian quantum physics framework. We derive a modified version of HFT by changing the definition of inner product and explicitly show that it holds good for both PT broken, unbroken phases and even at the exceptional point of the theory. The derivation is extremely general and works for even PT non-invariant Hamiltonian. We consider several examples of discrete and continuum systems to test our results. We find that if the eigenvalue goes through a real to complex transition as a function of the Hermiticity breaking parameter, both sides of the modified HFT expression diverge at that point. If that point turns out to be an EP of the PT invariant quantum theory, then one also sees the divergence at EP. Finally, we also derive a generalized Virial theorem for non-Hermitian systems using the modified HFT, which potentially can be tested in experiments.