Confluences of exceptional points and a systematic classification of quantum catastrophes

Abstract

In the problem of classification of the parameter-controlled quantum phase transitions, attention is turned from the conventional manipulations with the energy-level mergers at exceptional points to the control of mergers of the exceptional points themselves. What is obtained is an exhaustive classification which characterizes every phase transition by the algebraic and geometric multiplicity of the underlying confluent exceptional point. Typical qualitative characteristics of non-equivalent phase transitions are illustrated via a few elementary toy models.