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Questions tagged [quantum-mechanics]

For questions on quantum mechanics, a branch of physics dealing with physical phenomena at microscopic scales.

Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, deals with classical physical phenomena at quantum scales.

The precise nature of the subject has changed over the years. This article explains its current formulation.

Quantum mechanics aims to provide a mathematical description of the dual particle-like and wave-like behaviors and interactions of energy and matter.

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Why do odd dimensions and even dimensions behave differently?

It is well known that odd and even dimensions work differently. Waves propagation in odd dimensions is unlike propagation in even dimensions. A parity operator is a rotation in even dimensions, but cannot be represented as a rotation in odd…
Potato
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Correct spaces for quantum mechanics

The general formulation of quantum mechanics is done by describing quantum mechanical states by vectors $|\psi_t(x)\rangle$ in some Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$ and describes their time evolution by the Schrödinger…
Daniel Robert-Nicoud
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Two Dirac delta functions in an integral?

For context, this is from a quantum mechanics lecture in which we were considering continuous eigenvalues of the position operator. Starting with the position eigenvalue equation, $$\hat{x}\,\phi(x_m, x)=x_m\phi(x_m,x)$$ where $x_m$ is the…
BLAZE
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Mathematics needed in the study of Quantum Physics

As a 12th grade student , I'm currently acquainted with single variable calculus, algebra, and geometry, obviously on a high school level. I tried taking a Quantum Physics course on coursera.com, but I failed miserably, as I was not able to…
Victor
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Prerequisite for Takhtajan's "Quantum Mechanics for Mathematicians"

I want to know the math that is required to read Quantum Mechanics for Mathematicians by Takhtajan. From the book preview on Google, I gather that algebra, topology, (differential) geometry and analysis are needed. What level of real and complex…
user112710
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Quantum mechanics for mathematicians

I'm looking for books about quantum mechanics (or related fields) that are written for mathematicians or are more mathematically inclined. Of course, the field is very big so I'm in particular looking for books that explain how C*-algebras and von…
user1120
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Quantum mechanical books for mathematicians

I'm a mathematician. I have good knowledge of superior analysis, distribution theory, Hilbert spaces, Sobolev spaces, and applications to PDE theory. I also have good knowledge of differential geometry. I would like to study the Semiclassic…
user288972
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Why do physicists get away with thinking of the Dirac Delta functional as a function?

For instance they use it for finding solutions to things like Poisson's Equation, i.e. the method of Green's functions. Moreover in Quantum Mechanics, it's common practise to think of the delta functions $\delta_x$ as being a sort of standard basis…
Nameless Paladin
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What is the essential difference between classical and quantum information geometry?

This question may be a little subjective, but I would like to understand, from a geometric perspective, how the structure of quantum theory differs from that of classical probability theory. I have a good understanding of classical information…
N. Virgo
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Orthogonal projections with $\sum P_i =I$, proving that $i\ne j \Rightarrow P_{j}P_{i}=0$

I am reading Introduction to Quantum Computing by Kaye, Laflamme, and Mosca. As an exercise, they write "Prove that if the operators $P_{i}$ satisfy $P_{i}^{*}=P_{i}$ and $P_{i}^{2}=P_{i}$ , then $P_{i}P_{j}=0$ for $i\ne j$.'' In the context of…
user14717
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Fourier Representation of Dirac's Delta Function

This question is related to this other question on Phys.SE. In quantum mechanics is often useful to use the following statement: $$\int_{-\infty}^\infty dx\, e^{ikx} = 2\pi \delta(k)$$ where $\delta(k)$ is intended to represent Dirac's Delta…
Noumeno
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Topological Quantum Field theories

I was wondering about the following on TQFTs. It is said that TQFTs have vanishing Hamiltonians $\hat{\mathcal{H}}$. Firstly, I would like to ask: Why is this so? Secondly, consider the Schroedinger equation: $$i\hbar\dfrac{\partial}{\partial…
user122283
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Quantum probability vs. Kolmogorov's probability

It has been argued that quantum probability requires a different treatment from other random events, and a different formalization is needed than that provided by Kolmogorov's axioms. And as a physicist by training I have read such statements dozens…
Davius
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In the Physicists' definition of the path integral, does the result depend on the choice of partitions?

The standard definition of the path integral in Quantum Mechanics usually goes as follows: Let $[a,b]$ be one interval. Let $(P_n)$ be the sequence of partitions of $[a,b]$ given by $$P_n=\{t_0,\dots,t_n\}$$ with $t_k = t_0 + k\epsilon$ where…
Gold
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Do eigenvectors of Hermitian operators span the space in infinite dimensions?

I was reading Introduction to quantum mechanics by David J. Griffiths and came across following paragraph: $3$. The eigenvectors of a hermitian transformation span the space. As we have seen, this is equivalent to the statement that any hermitian…
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