Is there a reason eigenvalues of operators correspond to measurements?

In summary, it is a postulate of quantum mechanics that the eigenvalue of an eigenstate corresponds to the value measured for the observable corresponding to the Hermitian operator \hat{Q}. This means that when we measure the observable, we will obtain the eigenvalue Q of the eigenstate \Psi. However, there are more general measurements, called POVMs, where the labels for outcomes are not necessarily eigenvalues. This can be seen through the use of indirect measurement formalism.
  • #1
gsingh2011
115
1
Given a wave function [itex]\Psi[/itex] which is an eigenstate of a Hermitian operator [itex]\hat{Q}[/itex], we can measure a definite value of the observable corresponding to [itex]\hat{Q}[/itex], and the value of this observable is the eigenvalue [itex]Q[/itex] of the eigenstate
$$
\hat{Q}\Psi = Q\Psi
$$
My question is whether it's a postulate of quantum mechanics that the eigenvalue of the eigenstate corresponds to the value we measure, or is there a more fundamental reason/proof for this being the case?
 
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  • #2
It's a postulate.
 
  • #3
The eigenvalues are labels for the outcomes. In general, an eigenvalue need not be the outcome itself.

There are also more general measurements (called POVMs) than projective measurements, and the labels here are not necessarily eigenvalues: https://arxiv.org/abs/0706.3526

One way to see that the eigenvalue is just a label for an outcome, and not necessarily literally the outcome itself is to use the indirect measurement formalism: https://arxiv.org/abs/1110.6815
 
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1. What is an eigenvalue?

An eigenvalue is a scalar value that represents the magnitude of an eigenvector. In other words, it is a number that is associated with a particular vector in a vector space and represents the amount by which that vector is scaled when multiplied by a linear transformation.

2. How do eigenvalues correspond to measurements?

In quantum mechanics, eigenvalues of operators correspond to the possible outcomes of a measurement on a quantum system. The eigenvectors of the operator represent the states of the system, and the eigenvalues represent the possible measurements that can be obtained from those states.

3. Why do eigenvalues correspond to measurements?

This is due to the mathematical properties of operators in quantum mechanics. Operators represent physical observables, and their eigenvalues represent the possible outcomes of measuring that observable. This correspondence is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics.

4. Can eigenvalues be negative or complex?

Yes, eigenvalues can be negative or complex numbers. In fact, in quantum mechanics, it is common for operators to have negative or complex eigenvalues. This is because quantum systems can have non-classical properties and behaviors that are not limited to real numbers.

5. How are eigenvalues and eigenvectors related?

Eigenvalues and eigenvectors are related through the eigenvalue equation, which is a mathematical expression that defines the relationship between an operator, its eigenvalues, and its eigenvectors. The eigenvalues are the solutions to this equation, and the corresponding eigenvectors are the vectors that satisfy the equation.

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