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Tensor Products, Reducibility, and Quantum Mechanics

Student-Run Research Seminar

Speaker: Patrick Dragon, UC Davis
Location: 1147 MSB
Start time: Wed, Feb 9 2011, 12:10PM

We will focus on specific applications of tensor algebras to quantum mechanics. Of particular interest are two-particle systems of bosons and fermions, corresponding to the symmetric and exterior subalgebras of a tensor-square. We begin with some introductory discussion of modules/representations, and (ir)reducibility thereof. We will then investigate the roles of these concepts as they pertain to the fundamentals of quantum mechanical theory. Time-permitting, we will explore specific applications to quantum harmonic oscillators and/or quantum angular momentum.