Is there a reason eigenvalues of operators correspond to measurements?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between eigenvalues of Hermitian operators and measurement outcomes in quantum mechanics. It establishes that while eigenvalues correspond to definite values of observables, this correspondence is a postulate of quantum mechanics rather than a fundamental proof. The eigenvalues serve as labels for potential outcomes, and alternative measurement frameworks, such as Positive Operator-Valued Measures (POVMs), further illustrate that outcomes are not strictly tied to eigenvalues. Indirect measurement formalism also supports this distinction.

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  • Understanding of Hermitian operators in quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with wave functions and eigenstates
  • Knowledge of quantum measurement theory
  • Basic concepts of Positive Operator-Valued Measures (POVMs)
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  • Explore the implications of the eigenvalue postulate in quantum mechanics
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gsingh2011
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Given a wave function \Psi which is an eigenstate of a Hermitian operator \hat{Q}, we can measure a definite value of the observable corresponding to \hat{Q}, and the value of this observable is the eigenvalue Q 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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It's a postulate.
 
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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