Geometric and Topological Obstructions to Hermitianization in Quasi-Hermitian Quantum Systems

Abstract

Quasi-Hermitian quantum systems, including $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric ones, can be mapped to equivalent Hermitian systems via a similarity transformation that redefines the inner product with a positive-definite metric operator. Although an instantaneous algebraic Hermitianization can be obtained locally from a positive metric operator, a stronger requirement is needed for dynamical equivalence: the similarity transformation must be proper, globally single-valued, and compatible with the modified quasi-Hermitian Schrodinger equation. We identify two distinct obstructions: geometric obstructions arising from the curvature of a metric-induced connection, and topological obstructions originating from non-trivial holonomies around non-contractible loops in parameter space. We derive explicit criteria for these obstructions and illustrate them with concrete examples. Our results establish a geometric and topological foundation for the Hermitianization of quasi-Hermitian systems, clarifying when they can be globally reduced to Hermitian ones and when intrinsic non-Hermitian features persist.