Degenerate eigenvalues for Hamiltonians with no obvious symmetries

Certain Hamiltonians, based on two coupled quantum mechanical\break spins, exhibit degenerate eigenvalues despite having no obvious non-Abelian symmetries. Operators acting to permute the degenerate states do not have a simple form when expressed as polynomials of the generators of rotations for the respective spins. As observed in [3], one such Hamiltonian helps explain resonances in the spin relaxation rate of optically pumped ${\rm Rb}_2$, as a function of applied magnetic field. We give an explanation of why the degeneracies exist, based on properties of the commutator and anti-commutator of the Hamiltonian and its image under magnetic field reversal.

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Published 1 January 2005