A non-hermitean momentum operator for the particle in a box

Abstract

We construct a discrete non-hermitean momentum operator, which implements faithfully the non self-adjoint nature of momentum for a particle in a box. Its eigenfunctions are strictly limited to the interior of the box in the continuum limit, with the quarter wave as first non-trivial eigenstate. We show how to construct the corresponding hermitean Hamiltonian for the infinite well as concrete example to realize unitary dynamics. The resulting Hilbert space can be decomposed into a physical and unphysical subspace, which are mutually orthogonal. The physical subspace in the continuum limit reproduces that of the continuum theory and we give numerical evidence that the correct probability distributions for momentum and energy are recovered.