Applications of the Differential Eignevalue Problem

[dev00790]

Homework Statement

following from this post; https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=312075", I would like to know why people generally think the Differential Eigenvalue Problem is interesting? eg why is there a fair amount of current research into this?

Homework Equations

\lambda y = Ly, where L is a linear operator, \lambda is an eigenvalue. y is an eigenfunction corresponding to the eigenvalue.

The Attempt at a Solution

Searched Google, wikipedia, encylc. Britannica.

I know that large systems are hard to solve for the differential eigenvalue problem, so i am presuming this is partly why the research effort. But I'm stabbing in the dark. - I need something in detail please. Or a site / book where i can find the information?

Thanks :)

 

[nickjer]

I can give you one example... One of the most important equations in Quantum Physics is the Schrödinger Equation, which is basically a differential eigenvalue problem.