# Space and time translations

• I
Hello! I am a bit confused about the sign in space and time translation operators acting on a state. I found it with both plus and minus sign and I am not sure which one to use when. The equations I am talking about are: $$U(t)=e^{\pm iHt/\hbar}$$ and $$T(x)=e^{\pm ixp/\hbar}$$. Is it a plus or a minus in the exponent? Thank you!

bhobba
Mentor
It seems to vary a bit, but my reference, Ballentine has it as positive in accordance with what I say below.

For the detail on this and other associated matters see Chapter 3 - Ballentine - Quantum Mechanics - A Modern Development. In particular see page 66 - equation 3.4 where you see in general its positive for any such operator - time translation, space translation, rotational translation or whatever. Sometimes however the following can confuse the issue. When you speak of a translation do you move the observing apparatus or what is being observed? As an example for a position measurement if you move the measuring equipment a distance d you subtract d from everything measured. Move the thing being measured and you add d - it can be confusing.

The above does not prove the important Wigner's Theorem which is associated with it as well:
https://arxiv.org/abs/0808.0779

Thanks
Bill

Last edited: