Stability of time-periodic $\mathcal{PT}$ and anti-$\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric Hamiltonians with different periodicities

Abstract: Hermitian Hamiltonians with time-periodic coefficients can be analyzed via Floquet theory, and have been extensively used for engineering Floquet Hamiltonians in standard quantum simulators. Generalized to non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, time-periodicity offers avenues to engineer the landscape of Floquet quasi-energies across the complex plane. We investigate two-level non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with coefficients that have different periodicities using Floquet theory. By analytical and numerical calculations, we obtain their regions of stability, defined by real Floquet quasi-energies, and contours of exceptional point (EP) degeneracies. We extend our analysis to study the phases that accompany the cyclic changes. Our results demonstrate that time-periodic, non-Hermitian Hamiltonians generate a rich landscape of stable and unstable regions.