Explicit Bound States and Threshold Resonances for Two Identical Fermions on a One-Dimensional Lattice

Abstract

We study a two-particle lattice Schrödinger operator describing two identical fermions on the one-dimensional lattice $\mathbb Z$ with nearest-neighbor interaction of strength $λ\in\mathbb R$. Using the direct-integral decomposition with respect to the total quasi-momentum $k\in\mathbb T:=(-π,π]$, we reduce the problem to fiber operators $H_λ(k)$ acting in the odd relative-coordinate space. For $k\in(-π,π)$, the essential spectrum is \[ σ_{\mathrm{ess}}(H_λ(k)) = [4-4\cos(k/2),\,4+4\cos(k/2)]. \] We give a complete description of the spectral transition at both edges. The operator has a unique simple eigenvalue outside the essential spectrum if and only if \[ |λ|>2\cos(k/2), \] in which case \[ E(k,λ) = 4+λ+\frac{4\cos^2(k/2)}λ. \] For $|λ|<2\cos(k/2)$ there is no discrete eigenvalue. At the critical coupling $|λ|=2\cos(k/2)$, the eigenvalue merges with the corresponding spectral edge and becomes a threshold resonance, with a bounded non-square-integrable odd solution. We also derive the threshold and strong-coupling asymptotics of the eigenvalue and eigenfunction. In the strong-coupling regime the eigenfunction localizes at the interaction sites, whereas at critical coupling it converges pointwise to the corresponding resonant solution. The exceptional fiber $k=π$, where the hopping vanishes and the essential spectrum collapses to $\{4\}$, is treated separately.