W. D. Heiss, H. L. Harney
Published 2000-12-18Version 1
Exceptional points are singularities of the spectrum and wave functions which occur in connection with level repulsion. They are accessible in experiments using dissipative systems. It is shown that the wave function at an exceptional point is one specific superposition of two wave functions which are themselves specified by the exceptional point. The phase relation of this superposition brings about a chirality which should be detectable in an experiment.
Comments: four pages, one postscript figure, to be submitted to PRL
Phases of Wave Functions and Level Repulsion
Non-adiabatic transitions through exceptional points in the band structure of a PT-symmetric lattice
Optical lattices with exceptional points in the continuum
