The discussion centers on the mathematical representation of wave function collapse in quantum mechanics, specifically addressing the disappearance of non-diagonal components of the density matrix. Participants debate the clarity of this concept, with some suggesting that the sudden change in these components is a sensible phenomenon in physics. The conversation highlights the need for a foundational understanding of density matrices to fully grasp the implications of wave function collapse. For further exploration, participants are directed to basic quantum mechanics resources.
PREREQUISITESStudents of quantum mechanics, physicists, and anyone interested in the mathematical foundations of wave function collapse and density matrices.
It does not make sense, but still thanks ！anuttarasammyak said:Non- diagonal components of density matrix disappear. No process but a sudden change.
Agreed.Vanadium 50 said:What doesn't make sense? If you mean "I don't know what a density matrix is", that's fine, but then this thread should be B-level.
What doesn't make sense? That a number used to be non-zero and now it's zero? That's perfectly sensible. It happens all the time in physics. ("A ball is dropped from rest at a height h")george1962 said:I mean the “ sudden change”
See here for the basics:george1962 said:TL;DR Summary: What is the mathematical expression of the process of the wave functions collapsing?
People very often say the collapse of the wave functions in the discussion of quantum mechanics, then how to write this process in math form?