vågfunktionens

Vågfunktionens is the possessive form used in Swedish to refer to the wave function of a quantum system. In physics, the wave function describes the state of a quantum system and is typically denoted by ψ(x,t). It is a complex-valued function defined over configuration space and time, and its modulus squared gives the probability density of finding a particle at position x at time t.

The wave function is normalized so that ∫ |ψ(x,t)|^2 dx = 1. Its time evolution is governed by the Schrödinger equation: iħ ∂ψ/∂t = H ψ, where H is the Hamiltonian operator. In momentum space the wave function is φ(p,t), related to ψ(x,t) by a Fourier transform.

The interpretation of the wave function varies by interpretation of quantum mechanics, but its predictive content comes from the Born rule: probabilities are given by |ψ|^2. Measurement outcomes correspond to eigenstates of observables; after a measurement, the wave function is updated to reflect the result, though different interpretations describe this update in distinct ways.

In practice, ψ can be represented in various bases, and its complex phase encodes interference effects, a hallmark of quantum behavior. The wave function underlies phenomena such as superposition and entanglement and forms the basis for calculations in atomic, molecular, and condensed matter physics, as well as for emerging quantum technologies.

Note on language: In Swedish texts, vågfunktionens is the possessive form used when discussing properties of the wave function, such as its norm or modulus.