eigenfunction
nounEtymology From eigen- + function.
1
Mathematics, Sciences A function ϕ such that, for a given linear operator D, Dϕ=λϕ for some scalar λ (called an eigenvalue).
- For many quantum-mechanical problems it is important to investigate the change of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions with the continuous change of one or more parameters. The case in which one knows the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for two special values of the parameters, and is interested in the region in between is particularly interesting.2000, John von Neumann, E. Wigner, “On the Behaviour of Eigenvalues in Adiabatic Processes”, in Hinne Hettema, transl., edited by Hinne Hettema, Quantum Chemistry: Classic Scientific Papers, World Scientific, published 1929, page 25:
- Problems that require an investigation of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions arise in connection with numerous topics in mechanics, the theory of vibrations and stability, hydrodynamics, elasticity, acoustics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, etc.2005, Leonid D. Akulenko, Sergei V. Nesterov, High-Precision Methods in Eigenvalue Problems and Their Applications, CRC Press (Chapman & Hall), page 1:
- Synonyms
- proper function, eigenstate
- Related terms
- eigenbasis, eigenbrain, eigendecomposition, eigen decomposition, eigenface, eigenhead, eigenmode, eigenpair, eigenspace, eigenspinor, eigenstate, eigensystem, eigentheory, eigenvalue, eigenvector, hamiltonian