We study parity-time-symmetric non-Hermitian quantum systems at finite temperature, where the Boltzmann distribution law fails to hold. To characterize their abnormal physical properties, a new quantum statistics theory (the so-called quantum Liouvillian statistics theory) was developed, in which the Boltzmann distribution law was replaced by the Liouvillian-Boltzmann distribution law. Using it, we derived analytical results of thermodynamic properties for thermal PT systems and found that a "continuous" thermodynamic phase transition occurs at the exceptional point, where a zero-temperature anomaly exists.
Categories: cond-mat.stat-mech