Symmetry-Breaking Transition and Spectral Singularity in Coupled $\mathcal{PT}$-Symmetric Quantum Potentials

Abstract: We study the scattering properties of $N$ identical one-dimensional localized $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric potentials, connected in series as well as in parallel. We derive a general transfer matrix formalism for parallel coupled quantum scatterers, and apply that theory to demonstrate that the spectral singularities and $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric transitions of single scattering cells may be observed in coupled systems, at the same or distinct values of the critical parameters, depending on the connection modes under which the scattering objects are coupled. We analyse the influences of the connection configuration on the related transport properties such as spectral singularities and anisotropic transmission resonances.