Geometric phase in eigenspace evolution of invariant and adiabatic action operators

Abstract

The theory of geometric phase is generalized to a cyclic evolution of the eigenspace of an invariant operator with N-fold degeneracy. The corresponding geometric phase is interpreted as a holonomy inherited from the universal Stiefel U(N) bundle over a Grassmann manifold. Most significantly, for an arbitrary initial state, this holonomy captures the inherent geometric feature of the state evolution that may not be cyclic. Moreover, a rigorous theory of geometric phase in the evolution of the eigenspace of an adiabatic action operator is also formulated, with the corresponding holonomy being elaborated by a pullback U(N) bundle. © 2005 The American Physical Society.