eigenstate

Noun

Meaning

eigenstate (plural eigenstates)

(physics) A dynamic quantum mechanical state whose wave function is an eigenvector that corresponds to a physical quantity

Synonyms

Related terms

Examples

As a result of this interaction, the "stationary state" of the atom is no longer a true eigenstate of the combined system of the atom plus electromagnetic field. Source: Internet

Applying an annihilation operator followed by its corresponding creation operator returns the number of particles in the k th single-particle eigenstate: : The combination of operators is known as the number operator for the k th eigenstate. Source: Internet

Dirac further reasoned that if the negative-energy eigenstates are incompletely filled, each unoccupied eigenstate – called a hole – would behave like a positively charged particle. Source: Internet

Each eigenstate of an observable corresponds to an eigenvector of the operator, and the associated eigenvalue corresponds to the value of the observable in that eigenstate. Source: Internet

For example, if a measurement of an observable A is performed, then the system is in a particular eigenstate Ψ of that observable. Source: Internet

For example, the free particle in the previous example will usually have a wave function that is a wave packet centered around some mean position x 0 (neither an eigenstate of position nor of momentum). Source: Internet

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