matrix mechanics

E107437

Matrix mechanics is an early formulation of quantum mechanics that represents physical observables as matrices and describes their time evolution through noncommutative algebra.

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Predicate Object
instanceOf formulation of quantum mechanics
nonrelativistic quantum theory
physical theory
assumes observables correspond to self-adjoint operators
basedOn linear algebra
noncommutative algebra
operator theory
contrastedWith wave mechanics
describes time evolution of observables
developedBy Max Born
Pascual Jordan
Werner Heisenberg
developedInYear 1925
encodes quantization via noncommuting variables
field quantum mechanics
formalismType Heisenberg operator formulation of quantum mechanics
surface form: Heisenberg picture
framework observable quantities only
historicalPeriod early 20th century
historicalSignificance first complete and consistent formulation of quantum mechanics
influenced Heisenberg operator formulation of quantum mechanics
surface form: Heisenberg picture of quantum field theory

development of operator formalism in quantum mechanics
initiallyAppliedTo hydrogen atom spectrum
interprets quantum states as vectors in Hilbert space
interpretsEigenvaluesAs possible measurement outcomes
keyRelation [q,p] = iħ
mathematicallyEquivalentTo Heisenberg operator formulation of quantum mechanics
surface form: Schrödinger formulation of quantum mechanics
mathematicalStructure noncommutative algebra of operators on Hilbert space
noncommutativityExpressedBy commutator of matrices
philosophicalAspect avoids picturing electron orbits in space
publishedIn Zeitschrift für Physik
relatedConcept Heisenberg operator formulation of quantum mechanics
surface form: Heisenberg matrix

spectral lines of atoms
transition amplitudes
replaced classical Poisson brackets with commutators
represents physical observables as matrices
satisfies canonical commutation relations
shownEquivalentTo wave mechanics
timeEvolutionGivenBy Heisenberg operator formulation of quantum mechanics
surface form: Heisenberg equation of motion
treats angular momentum as a matrix
energy as a matrix
momentum as a matrix
position as a matrix
uses Hermitian matrices for observables
infinite-dimensional matrices
usesConcept eigenvalues of matrices
eigenvectors of matrices
usesConstant reduced Planck constant
surface form: Planck constant ħ

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Referenced by (6)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Werner Heisenberg notableWork matrix mechanics
Feynman path integral equivalentTo matrix mechanics
this entity surface form: Schrödinger formulation of quantum mechanics
Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics influencedBy matrix mechanics
this entity surface form: Heisenberg's matrix mechanics
Pascual Jordan notableWork matrix mechanics
Sommerfeld quantization rules precedes matrix mechanics