ScatteringIn physics, scattering is a wide range of physical processes where moving particles or radiation of some form, such as light or sound, are forced to deflect from a straight trajectory or are blocked by localized non-uniformities (including particles, matter, interfaces, and radiation) in the propagation medium through which they pass. In conventional use, this also includes deviation of reflected radiation from the angle predicted by the law of reflection.
Representation theory of the Lorentz groupRepresentation of the symmetry group of spacetime in special relativityHendrik Antoon Lorentz (right) after whom the Lorentz group is named and Albert Einstein whose special theory of relativity is the main source of application. Photo taken by Paul Ehrenfest 1921.The Lorentz group is a Lie group of symmetries of the spacetime of special relativity.
Quantum field theoryIn theoretical physics, quantum field theory (QFT) is a theoretical framework that combines field theory, special relativity and quantum mechanics. QFT is used in particle physics to construct physical models of subatomic particles and in condensed matter physics to construct models of quasiparticles. The current Standard Model of particle physics is based on QFT.
Quantum mechanicsDescription of physical properties at the atomic and subatomic scaleWave functions of the electron in a hydrogen atom at different energy levels. Quantum mechanics cannot predict the exact location of a particle in space, only the probability of finding it at different locations.
Unitary matrixIn linear algebra, an invertiblecomplexsquare matrixU is unitary if its matrix inverseU equals its conjugate transposeU, that is, if U∗U=UU∗=I,{\displaystyle U^{*}U=UU^{*}=I,}where I is the identity matrix.
Matrix (mathematics)Array of numbersAn m × n matrix: the m rows are horizontal and the n columns are vertical. Each element of a matrix is often denoted by a variable with two subscripts.
Hilbert spaceType of vector space in mathHierarchy of mathematical spaces. Hilbert spaces are a subset of Inner product spaces, which are a subset of normed vector spaces, which are a subset of metric spaces, which in turn are a subset of topological spaces.The state of a vibrating string can be modeled as a point in a Hilbert space.PhysicsPhysics is the scientific study of matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. It is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines. A scientist who specializes in the field of physics is called a physicist. Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines.
SpacetimeIn physics, spacetime, or the space-time continuum, is a mathematical model that fuses the three dimensions of space and the one dimension of time into a single four-dimensional continuum. Spacetime diagrams are useful in visualizing and understanding relativistic effects, such as how different observers perceive where and when events occur.
Tensor productMathematical operation on vector spacesIn mathematics, the tensor productV⊗W{\displaystyle V\otimes W} of two vector spacesV{\displaystyle V} and W{\displaystyle W} (over the same field) is a vector space to which is associated a bilinear mapV×W→V⊗W{\displaystyle V\times W ightarrow V\otimes W} that maps a pair (v,w){\displaystyle (v,w)}, where v∈V,w∈W{\displaystyle v\in V,w\in W}, to an element of V⊗W{\displaystyle V\otimes W} denoted v⊗w{\displaystyle v\otimes w}.
Lorentz transformationIn physics, the Lorentz transformations are a six-parameter family of linear transformations from a coordinate frame in spacetime to another frame that moves at a constant velocity relative to the former. The respective inverse transformation is then parameterized by the negative of this velocity. The transformations are named after the Dutch physicist Hendrik Lorentz.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.